AIBU for being in so much pain - ureteric stent.

[Hyperemesishell]

Hi, Shamelessly posting in AIBU for traffic. Had a ureteric stent fitted yesterday following kidney damage during a c section last year. Consultant said it would be painful etc but I am in agony - constantly wanting too wee almost like a cystitis but there is no urine, horrendous abdominal pain. Is this normal? Am I being a wimp? I am still breastfeeding so trying to get by with paracetamol and ibuprofen but not sure whether o can cope. Lots of blood in my urine too.

You need better pain relief op. You at least need cocodamol 30 500 and stronger ibuprofen. Both are fine to use breastfeeding

Unfortunately it’s not uncommon.
What I suggest is you take regular painkillers and contact your consultants team in the morning, say you cannot tolerate this and what can they do.
Also remind them that you are breastfeeding so can’t take strong painkillers. Also contact your midwife regarding the breastfeeding and pain relief.
Good luck x

Worst thing I've ever had done, pain was horrendous (and I hate to say it but when it came out, I then had a week in hospital with post stent pain that was even worse). You need to push to speak to a Dr about what else you can take. I was prescribed some weird drug usually used for prostrate cancer pain, and lots and lots of diazepam.

Thanks everyone. If nothing else it’s good to know I’m not being a complete wimp. So sorry to hear it got worse when it came out @TomorrowAndTomorrowAndTomorrow I’m waiting for my GP to call me and also to hear back from the consultant. I feel like at this point I’m going to have to make the difficult decision between the intense pain or giving up breastfeeding.

I breastfed throughout, the Drugs in Pregnancy Facebook page was amazing, they offered really helpful support. It is also okay to decide to stop if you need to - you can prioritise you and your baby has already had sooooo much good stuff from your milk x

Im surprised you had this fitted. I was reading in a museum yesterday that this practice had been phased out because of the high rates of problems for women long term.

a woman donated her removed tvt to the surgeons hall to raise awareness so I saw one in a jar!

surgeonshallmuseums.wordpress.com/2022/09/02/a-significant-moment/

@anomaly23 codeine is not advised during breastfeeding. Dihydrocodeine and morphine are however safe.

@HerrenaHarridan TVTs are nothing to do with ureteric stents.

dihydrocodeine and codeine are both codeine.

cocodamol has codeine and paracetamol, dihydrocodeine is on its own.

No they are not. Dihydrocodeine and codeine are different drugs. Codeine is contraindicated for use in breastfeeding because of the risk of respiratory depression in babies. Dihydrocodeine does not cause this issue.

co-codamol therefore also cannot be used by breastfeeding women. Co-dydramol, the paracetamol-dihydrocodeine combo drug, can be used safely.

(FWIW I’m an anaesthetist and prescribing pain relief for breastfeeding women is a pretty big chunk of my job).

I think you should give the ward a ring and ask to be checked over. It could be not quite right or something and the sooner someone can check you, the better.

You're not in any way being a wimp, OP. It sounds horrendous.

Really hope effective pain relief has been sorted for you, and that you feel far better asap.

Thanks @TomorrowAndTomorrowAndTomorrow I know that realistically it’s fine to stop but struggling to put myself first, he was ventilated in NICU at birth so feels like letting go of the only ‘useful’ thing I could do during that time!

Thanks @Greybeardy GP today wouldn’t prescribe dihydrocodiene at all despite the fact I was sure that it was fine based research I’d done (& the fact I had it after my c section!) he did prescribe naproxen though.

Have been in touch with the consultant today who has prescribed Solifenacin but has advised I must not breastfeed on it, so trying not to take it.

Thanks for everyone’s kind words x

Just wanted to say that my dd was ventilated in NICU at birth too - it does funny things to your mind and I totally get not wanting to stop breastfeeding. I am very traumatised by the experience 😞

@22qtutor thank you so much - my husband doesn’t really understand as baby is absolutely fine now (3 months old) and just wants me to put my own health first but NICU does really funny things to your mind doesn’t it, it seems like a big thing to let go of.

Naproxen is hard on your stomach so make sure to take it with food. 😊

Don't quit breastfeeding my daughter had to stop feeding very strong meds for a week. She pumped and dumped. At the end of it he went straight back on the breast. She used Aptamil

@justasking111 thanks - I hadn’t thought of that although had to do it after my operation so it does make sense. Amazing that baby took straight back to it after a week - think this may be the best plan x

@Hyperemesishell I have sent you a PM but wondering how you got on with this? My ureter has also been damaged during a csection and I don’t know anyone who has experienced this. Would be interested to know if it was resolved?

I’ve just responded to your DM but for anyone who comes across this in the future - having a stent was without doubt one of the most painful things I’ve ever experienced and the pain didn’t really let up the whole time it was fitted. I continued breastfeeding so didn’t use the antispasmodic drugs which I know could have helped. However, following removal of the stent - instant relief and although I do get occasional kidney pain etc absolutely no ongoing issues and the hydronephrosis resolved post-stent removal.