HydrHealth
← Back to Community Stories
Patient journeyONGOING

PCNL recovery so far(complications)

Stone Fighter #C16081Stone Fighter #C16081May 16, 2026👁️ 3.0k❤️ 188
Strategy
Patient journey

I had a PCNL on the 23rd, tubeless, doc said it went great and he got everything except some sand out. Stent placed.

Unfortunately, by the 26th, I was in the ER for uncontrolled pain since I only was sent home with ibuprofen and Tylenol. I then had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic, plus an allergic reaction to my surgical dressings/glue, and THEN had issues with excruciatingly painful urine retention due to oxybutynin, so had to have a catheter placed late Monday. My doc seemed to feel pretty bad about all this, and he removed the catheter and my stent on Wednesday since my body could not tolerate the pain. Removal sucked, but was thankfully quick. I had pretty bad cramping that night, but toradol and a heating pad seemed to take care of it in a few hours.

A lot of people made it seem like getting the stent out made them 100% back to normal, so I'm a little disappointed lol. At 9 days post op, I'm still quite tired and sore/achey. My incision is healing well now that they removed all the glue i was allergic to. Still quite sore/tender in the kidney area, especially if I move too sharply. Pee is clear, have passed an occaisonal tiny blood clot, and have some slight discomfort in my bladder at times. I'm having some gastric issues but that's probably from the antibiotic I'm on. I sometimes have low grade 99 degree fevers, which my doctor said was totally normal for a few weeks following surgery due to inflammation and healing. All in all, I feel quite dumpy, and my health anxiety is not having a good time lol.

Anyone else have a more complicated/longer recovery timeline? I'm hoping I'll start to feel better soon, but its hard to be optimistic after so many complications...

Comments (1)

Stone Fighter #97CA31Stone Fighter #97CA31May 3, 2026

I’ve had a good number of PCNL’s and thankfully recovery apart from one of them have been extremely good. Unfortunately, you experienced a series of what sounds like no blame problems which do happen but that doesn’t make it any easier for you! . I have noticed a lot of people recommending oxybutynin which can sometimes be used but it definitely isn’t without side-effects and this is one of them. I think you’re almost certainly at the tail end of all this, it does take time, whilst I return...

Stone Fighter #C514EEStone Fighter #C514EEMay 3, 2026

Thank you for the reassurance! I have been very consistent about drinking minimum 3L of water a day, usually closer to 4.5L. I took a short walk down the street after posting to admire some flowering trees, and feel a bit better after doing that. I've also finally gotten my appetite back, I wasn't eating much this past week, so hopefully that's part of why I feel so bleh. I hope your PCNL goes well and without complications! 8 is so many, wow. Wishing you well!

Stone Fighter #97CA31Stone Fighter #97CA31May 3, 2026

Thanks- Cystinurua is a beast which I wouldn’t wish on anyone, sadly recurrent survey is inevitable

Facing a kidney stone right now?

Track hydration, pain and jumping exercises — and share your own story when you pass the stone.

Get HydrHealth Free