I don't know what I should do
Stone Fighter #98F3B6Aug 26, 2026👁️ 2.8k❤️ 118- Strategy
- Patient journey
Hi everyone, I’m 25, and I’m dealing with a kidney stone situation that’s been weighing on me more than I expected.
About two months ago, a CT scan showed an 8mm stone on my left side (upper ureter/kidney area). Recently, an ultrasound suggested it might be around 13mm now, along with mild hydronephrosis. I know imaging can vary, but either way, it’s not small.
I went to the ER and was told I’ll need percutaneous surgery to remove it (they don’t have flexible ureteroscopy where I’m being treated). Right now I’m on a waiting list.
They also recommended placing a JJ stent while I wait for surgery. This is where things got complicated for me. I have a strong fear of spinal anesthesia, and when they mentioned the needle in the back, I didn’t handle it well at all. I panicked pretty hard. Since I was still stable, the doctor said it wasn’t absolutely necessary at that moment and sent me home. He didn’t offer any anesthesia alternatives, but made it clear that if I come back in pain, it probably won’t be optional anymore.
So now I’m at home, stuck in this in-between state: most of the time I have little to no pain. No fever. Just occasional awareness or a weird sensation on that side.
Physically I guess I’m “stable,” but mentally it’s tougher. It’s strange knowing something is partially blocked and just… waiting. I keep wondering if I made the wrong call by not getting the stent when I had the chance.
For context, I’m in Argentina and being treated at a public hospital. The doctors seem capable, but everything moves fast and there isn’t much room to ask questions or talk things through, so I’ve been trying to piece things together on my own.
I’m trying to figure out:
\- how safe it is to stay like this (mild hydronephrosis, waiting for surgery)
\- at what point I should stop waiting and head back to the ER
\- whether I should try to push for the stent again
\- how people deal with the anxiety around spinal anesthesia, if you’ve been there
I’m more open to the stent now, and to spinal anesthesia too, if it becomes necessary. I just don’t want fear making decisions for me again.
Any input or honest experiences would really mean a lot. Thanks.
(Sorry for grammar mistakes, English is not my main language and I used a translator)
Comments (2)
Stone Fighter #05E835May 8, 2026Go back if you get a fever, nausea/vomiting. That can be a sign of infection. Go back if you have pain that sticks around for more than a couple of hours, especially pain that OTC pain meds can’t touch. If it isn’t getting better, you may be badly blocked and doing damage to your kidney. If you’re otherwise healthy and have one fully functioning kidney, mild hydronephrosis isn’t a big deal—but it can cause acute kidney injury that leads to long-term kidney issues. If your functioning kidn...
Stone Fighter #CE87F0May 9, 2026Thanks for your response, I really appreciate it. I understand the risks you’re pointing out, and I’m fully open to getting a JJ stent if it becomes necessary. My main issue before was a strong fear of spinal anesthesia, but I’ve had time to think about it, and I’d rather deal with that than risk things getting worse. Right now I’m stable (no fever, no pain), but I’m keeping a close eye on my symptoms—if I develop persistent pain, fever, or anything suggesting things are getting worse, I’ll h...
Stone Fighter #0430C8May 10, 2026I’m 26F, and I’ve had mild hydronephrosis for about 5 months now. Barely any pain. I have a 7mm stone and I’m waiting for surgery. I’d go back to the ER for increasing pain, vomiting, fever/chills, not being able to pee, etc. That said, I’d take spinal anesthesia over general anesthesia 100000%. I had an epidural when I had my daughter a few years ago—zero pain and zero complications. I’d pick that over general anyyyyy day.
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