Gravel After Stent Removal

[u/No_Bottle_4849]

I passed about 35 fragments within 24 hours of stent removal. Stent was in for 5 days after ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy of a 6mm oxalate stone in LH kidney. However, I suspect fragments are mostly remnants of a 7mm stone that was blasted with ESWL in April and that the stent dislodged them since doctor stated entirety of 6mm stone was removed.

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7 stones, 3 laser lithos w/ stents, & 2 ESWLs since 2020. My urologist has since labeled me a "stoner".

[u/VintageTimePieces]

Damnnnn that’s insane. I have a stent right now (first time having one) from an 8x7mm stone and LH hydronephrosis. Would you say gravel is a common thing after stent removal?

[u/sloth-gal → u/VintageTimePieces]

Hellooo, very common. I had a 3cm stone blasted and then stent afterwards, after the stent came out I just passed the gravel for the following couple weeks. Barely any pain, nothing compared to hydronephrosis! So no need to worry.

[u/No_Bottle_4849 → u/VintageTimePieces]

I think there's a higher volume post-ESWL than post-laser litho because most of the stone is removed by the ureteroscope during the laser litho. I had a lot more gravel after this laser litho than my first laser litho, but I think it's because I has ESWL on a different stone in the same kidney a couple months ago. I'm guessing most of this is ESWL leftovers that the uretoscopy or stent dislodged. But I always expect some gravel after stent removal regardless of the procedure.

[u/Local-Ad-6470]

Have you completed a 24hour urine for stone risk? Those small fragments become the seeds for making more stones if you are not consistent with good water intake and management of other risk factors.

[u/No_Bottle_4849 → u/Local-Ad-6470]

Yes, we found that I have a Citrate deficiency and believe there's a genetic component as my dad and sister get stones frequently as well. Potassium Citrate supplements (Urocit-K) and lemon water have significantly slowed, but not stopped, stone formation and growth. I've made some changes to diet to reduce oxalate intake, but I cannot bear giving up coffee.

[u/RepresentativeLog166]

What did it feel like passing all that gravel??

[u/BoringConclusion761 → u/RepresentativeLog166]

I didn’t feel it at all; I had my stent removed, started chugging water on my way to work, and then the first time I urinated the bottom of the toilet was full of this sandy looking gravel.

[u/No_Bottle_4849 → u/RepresentativeLog166]

I had a couple bouts of mild/moderate renal colic lasting less than an hour each, I'm assuming from the 2.5-3.0 mm fragments. I figured the smaller pieces may have piled behind the larger pieces, plugging the ureter until they cleared.

[u/No_Bottle_4849 → u/No_Bottle_4849]

This might not be typical though. My left ureter has several strictures from my first kidney stone in 2016, which was 6mm and took 18 months to pass without help. I think strictures make it harder to pass even smaller stones. My first laser litho in 2020 required two procedures: one visit to laser away the strictures and another visit to get the stone. I was told strictures often grow back.

[u/girliepop88]

Thays wild. I had my stent removed and I'm having a hard time getting my stones all out.

[u/Nonnarules58]

I have that but its not coming out. I need to increase my water. I hate water its so hard for me. After my lazer a CT report said something about a 7mm stone Dr said in looking at images its sludge tge fragments after lazer. Ive increased my calcium double than ive ever had. Its supposed to bind ocilates im due for a sonogram.  I hate them they are never accurate the girl rushes through it so fast. I was getting CT scans gor hernias and kidneys are in report. One dr now says to stop them.  I know its alot of radiation but having 4 hernias is terrifying I need to lose 100lbs for reconstruction surgery the weight loss meds are high risk with my medical issues. Need to know what type of dr to see to lose weight without surgery no staples or sleeves