kidney infection, and infection in bloodstream after ESWL ( Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy )?
I had the ESWL procedure on on June 10. On the third day after the procedure the stent moved leaving me incontinent for two days until the stent came out on its own. I called my doctor’s office, but they seemed unconcerned, and said that it was normal for this to happen sometimes. I went back to my urologist June 24 for a two week follow up after the ESWL – time that I had spent at home recovering. The urologist did another x-ray and the stone was smaller, and had moved into the upper part of my kidney. The doctor assured me that the stone should not give me any further problems, to come back in 3 months, and cleared me to go back to work.
I worked two shifts on June 27 and June 28. On June 29, I woke up feeling fine, did some errands, and then made my and my son’s lunch around 2pm. Within just a few hours after that my temperature shot up to 103 degrees, I was vomiting, and felt very sick. I was having shooting pains down the outside of my right leg. I felt like I had terrible indigestion, and I was in pain.
I went to the ER, and initially the doctor did not know what was wrong. After several tests including two CT scans, and other x-rays, I was diagnosed with a kidney infection – my left kidney where the stone was had filled with pus, along with an infection in my bloodstream. I was put on a heavy duty antibiotic, and I had to have a procedure done to insert a new stent in my left kidney to get the pus out, and draining into the catheter. I spent 6 nights and 5 days in the hospital, and I was released yesterday on June 5.
I keep feeling that none of this had to happen if the stent had been inserted correctly the first time during the ESWL so that the stent did not move around. I want to know if what happened to me was a case of human error and avoidable. From what I have been told, I am now at a higher risk of this happening again which scares me. I don’t want to feel again like I did last Tuesday night.
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
One comment
Van Bo on August 26, 2010 at 7:02 pm
I don’t think it is human error. A certain percentage of all stents will dislodge, wherever they are, and yours is in a risky place, subject to movement from within. Still, it is terrible. I strongly believe that the stone should have been dealt with once and for all, and "blown up" with the ultrasonic shock waves into little pieces. I also think that you should have been on antibiotics right after the procedure. There is a risk of possible and intermittent future kidney and ureter infection, due to a generalized weakening in the area.
Be aware of kidney and bladder issues from now on, and look up Glomerulonephritis – try to avoid future complications, and de-stress yourself somehow.
For now, you have to take it very seriously and avoid sepsis. I would go for weekly bloodwork, and would take up to 4 weeks antibiotic, 2 weeks minimum.
Drink plenty of water, 4 -6 glasses daily, and go to the bathroom frequently, do not be embarassed. Do not hold it. If incontinent, wear Tena’s. http://www.tena.ca/
Also, see an OB/Gyn, though I could say right here, whatever precautions to take in your personal areas, and personal life – keeping clean above all.
I can already see a OB/Gyn saying, what are you talking about, everything’s the same as before, it makes no difference, forget about Yahoo.
You really want to flush things out, and restore the kidneys and bladder to full form, before undertaking a normal work & activity schedule. You should be near a place to void the bladder.
Drink cranberry and grape juices with antioxidants, to fight cancer cells – we all have them, all the time – they’re there. And exercise to promote healthy circulation, I suggest walking, or treadmill.