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Last week I underwent a cystoscopy (Ouch! ) and it was discovered that I have two sizable stones requiring removal. This will be done via laser lithotripsy in the coming weeks. Has anyone had this procedure and willing to share the details as far as how long did it take and how much pain/discomfort was involved afterwards? I'll be under a general anesthesia.
In researching, I see that apparently this is a popular procedure to go overseas for in order to have it done more cheaply. My insurance will cover the lion's share but in any case, I don't think this is something I'd be looking for low-bidder on.
Country Costs
USA $3,000-$8,000
Malaysia $1,500-$3,000
Singapore $1,500-$3,800
India $1,000-$1,500
Just had this done yesterday. My stone was very large and had completely blocked me up so I was in the hospital before for IV antibiotics and pain management. The pain afterwards is pretty significant but different than kidney stone pain. It was controlled with pain meds but make sure they are giving you pain meds before the pain gets bad because it is so hard to get it under control after you're already in too much pain.
There's a lot of burning with urination but I've noticed that lots and lots of water has helped with that. The spasms were probably the worst but they have special medication for that as well and it works quite quickly. Not sure if you're female or male but I would describe the spasms as very bad period cramps. Nothing like the stone pain itself though.
Quite honestly, drinking a ton of water has helped me so far. After taking my medications, it did resolve the pain 100%. I'll keep taking them for about a week. I've found if I take them on a schedule instead of waiting for pain, I can avoid the spasm pain. The burning on urination pain is there though. Feels like a bad UTI or something.
Good luck. Mine went very well and after being so sick with the kidney stones, I was quite happy to get this done.
Thanks for the reply. As a man I can't really relate to the period pain but what I'm going through right now is very uncomfortable. Dread the idea of having this done but the daily pain is pretty intense.
I had this done as an outpatient procedure with NO anesthesia back in the early 90s, and it was a snap!
They walked me out to the hospital parking lot where a mobile lithotripsy lab was set up, and I was immersed in a warm water bath. All the cool "Star Trek" machinery made interesting noises to produce the high-energy shockwaves that blasted my kidney stones into a fine powder. (Think "photon torpedo" on the Klingons.)
The advice to drink gallons of water over the next few days is what worked for me, too, as I had no blood in the urine and very little pain.
Total recovery without complications, and no recurrence. I don't know if that's how they're still doing the procedure, but please don't worry! I'm sure Captain Kirk will take good care of you.
I had this done as an outpatient procedure with NO anesthesia back in the early 90s, and it was a snap!
They walked me out to the hospital parking lot where a mobile lithotripsy lab was set up, and I was immersed in a warm water bath. All the cool "Star Trek" machinery made interesting noises to produce the high-energy shockwaves that blasted my kidney stones into a fine powder. (Think "photon torpedo" on the Klingons.)
The advice to drink gallons of water over the next few days is what worked for me, too, as I had no blood in the urine and very little pain.
Total recovery without complications, and no recurrence. I don't know if that's how they're still doing the procedure, but please don't worry! I'm sure Captain Kirk will take good care of you.
That's an external lithotripsy, which is different than laser lithotripsy. With the laser, they insert it into the urethra and blast the stone. It's done under anesthesia and is considered a minimally invasive surgery.
Thanks for the reply. As a man I can't really relate to the period pain but what I'm going through right now is very uncomfortable. Dread the idea of having this done but the daily pain is pretty intense.
I had a 9 mm stone. Believe me, I understand the pain. I won't lie. There is pain afterwards but different than the stone. Take the medication they give you for the spasms on time, don't wait for the pain. Drink tons of water. Takes about 2 days for the spasms to quiet down. Even with the pain, you'll still feel better than with the stone.
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) and it was discovered that I have two sizable stones requiring removal. This will be done via laser lithotripsy in the coming weeks. Has anyone had this procedure and willing to share the details as far as how long did it take and how much pain/discomfort was involved afterwards? I'll be under a general anesthesia.
