If you have undergone the procedure, how to sleep with a kidney stent is probably one of your concerns. You may think that getting a good night’s rest isn’t easy and could feel impossible. About 80% of people feel discomfort related to stenting. But don’t worry, approaching it the right way could help you get the rest you needed. Find your comfort in this guide while your body heals.

Key Takeaways

• Looking for a comfortable position while you’re on kidney stent is key

• Pain medications like alpha-blockers can help in reducing discomfort at night

• Drink plenty of water at daytime but reduce intake at nighttime

• Use supportive pillows to reduce discomfort and relieve some pressure

• Apply heat therapy to your back at night before bedtime to help relax the muscles and relieve some pain

• Empty your bladder completely before going to bed

• Contact your doctor immediately if there are signs of infection like fever or severe pain

What is a Kidney Stent and Why is it Used?

Before going deeper on how to sleep with a kidney stent, you need to understand what you’re dealing with. Having clear knowledge of what a stent is and why it is used can help in easing your worries. These worries may also very well be causing your sleepless nights.

What is a Ureteral Stent?

Ureteral stent is the same as kidney stent. It is a thin tube placed in your ureter (the tube that carries your urine from the kidneys to the bladder) to help unobstructed flow of urine.

A kidney stent is a soft and hollow tube made of silicone or plastic. It is about 12-inches long but flexible enough to fit inside your body. One end curls in your kidney and the other curls in your bladder. It is especially designed to keep the stent in place. The diameter of the tube is approximately that of the “spaghetti”. It also has holes throughout its length so urine can flow through.

Kidney stenting allows for an alternative route for urine to flow when something is obstructing its way. So it creates an open channel that allows urine flow freely from kidneys to bladder.

Why Are Kidney Stents Placed?

Kidney stents are placed for key health problems, including:

• Kidney stones (one of the most common reasons for kidney stenting). If large stones are blocking your urine from flowing out into the ureter, a stent keeps the channel open until the stone gets passed or removed through surgery.

• Post-procedural stenting (placed after stone removal procedures) such as lithotripsy (using sound waves to break up stones) or ureteroscopy (using a scope to have the stones removed). Placing a stent will help your ureter while it is in the process of healing.

• Tumors could press from inside or outside, blocking the flow of urine

• Ureteral strictures (narrowing in portions of the ureter)

• Before or after surgery (placement in your kidney or ureter)

• Pregnancy complications that affect the urinary system as a whole

A study found that approximately 60% of stents are placed after ureteral stone treatment and nearly 80% are placed after kidney stone treatment. So, getting enough sleep is advised for speedy recovery from these procedures.

How is a Kidney Stent Inserted?

The stent insertion can be done as an outpatient procedure. Many times, you can have a clinic visit, have it done, and go home all on the same day. So, how is it exactly done (procedure)? The procedure has three phases:

• Prior to the procedure:

• You will be receiving instructions on specific preparations before the procedure, such as health screening (laboratory tests, chest x-ray, or EKG)

• You also need to fast for at least 6-8 hours

• If you are taking medications as maintenance, it may be necessary to adjust it for the procedure

• During the procedure:

• You will receive general anesthesia but spinal anesthesia may also be done, so you won’t feel any pain

• A cystoscope (a thin tube with camera) is inserted through the urethra into the bladder to locate the ureteral opening (orifice)

• A guidewire, which has a hydrophilic (water-loving) tip, is threaded through the cystoscope into the ureter until it reaches the kidney

• The stent is advanced through the guidewire.

• Its placement in the kidney and renal pelvis is confirmed by fluoroscopy or ultrasound

• The kidney (proximal) end is deployed first so it twists for placement. It is followed by the deployment of the bladder (distal) end upon withdrawal of the guidewire

• After the procedure

• You will be monitored until you wake up

• If there are no complications of the procedure, you will be discharged on the same day

• You may feel some symptoms like:

• Urinary urgency

• Flank (pain on the side where the stent is placed)

• Blood-tinged urine

• The symptoms are common since your urinary system had minor trauma

The whole process takes about 3-12 minutes or may be up to 30 minutes. It depends on the condition.

Common Discomforts Associated with Kidney Stents

Expecting some discomforts after the kidney stent procedure is important so you can better prepare for better sleep. Stent discomforts after placement affect greater than 80% of patients. It should ease your worries how common the symptoms are. This ensures that the symptoms are just normal after the procedure.

What Kind of Pain Should You Expect from a Stent Placement?

After kidney stent placement, you may feel the following common symptoms:

• Dull, persistent ache in your back near your kidney (flank pain)

• Sharp spasms in your bladder, especially when urinating

• Burning or painful sensations during urination

• Steady cramping on the lower abdomen

• Pain, sharp or dull, when switching positions or moving

Most people experience minor pain or symptoms that are less severe. But these could be nagging discomforts that may get worse during activities or movements. This could be the reason why you may find it difficult to sleep with a kidney stent.

Why Do Kidney Stents Cause Discomfort?

There are several reasons why kidney stents cause discomfort. The sources of such discomfort could be any of the following:

• The stent irritated the lining of your bladder or ureter, which has a lot of nerve endings

• The bladder end that has a curled tip may poke the bladder wall, especially during urination where it is emptied

• Your body recognizes the stent as a foreign object and is trying to reject it, which results in minor inflammation

• The stent changed the flow of urine, which may introduce newer sensations

However, without major events, your body will learn to adjust the placement. As it adjusts, it will minimize the minor discomforts you are experiencing.

How Long Will the Discomfort Last?

The discomfort may remain as long as the stent is in place. Generally, this would mean:

• Worsening discomfort over the next few days after the procedure

• Improvement of the discomfort within weeks as the body adjusts

• Some minor discomfort lingers even after the body adjusts until the stent is removed

Although many people feel better immediately after removal of the stent, some may still have lingering discomforts in the next 2 days. This happens because your ureter is still adjusting to work without the stent.

Best Sleeping Positions for Kidney Stent Patients

To ensure your comfort, it is important to find the best sleeping position for you. In fact, it can make a big difference. You need to find several options to know what works for you.

Is There a Best Position to Sleep with a Kidney Stent?

There is no single best position that’s proven to reduce the discomfort after a kidney stent placement. Relief will vary from person to person and to the condition being treated. However, your comfort will depend on several factors, such as:

• Which side the stent is on

• Your usual sleeping habits

• The length and placement of the stent

• Your body type and if you have underlying conditions

However, it may take a while for you to find comfortable ways to sleep. It may take several trials and errors — experimentation to find out what works best for you.

Can You Sleep on Your Side with a Kidney Stent?

Yes, side-sleeping should be fine after kidney stent placement. Some patients also report the following:

• Sleeping on the opposite side of the stent can reduce pressure on the affected area

• Put pillow between your knees while side-sleeping can also reduce the strain on your pelvis and back

• Slightly curl your knees toward your chest (as if in a fetal position) can ease discomfort

If you are comfortable with side-sleeping then stick with it. Your body will tell you if something is not right. But if you find something comfortable, it is your body’s way of telling you what positions are best to reduce the irritation

Other tips to keep in mind:

• Try using extra pillows to support your hips and back, this will reduce the pressure on the area where the stent is

• Wear lose, comfortable nightwear

• Avoid drinking too much water at night before bedtime to decrease nighttime urination

• Empty your bladder before sleeping

However, even after all these trials and errors you still find persistent or worsening discomfort, consult your doctor immediately.

What Sleeping Positions Should You Avoid?

No scientific evidence will point out any specific sleeping position that’s comfortable. The most important part is for you to listen to what your body needs. 

Some patients with stents report that back sleeping can worsen the discomfort. This is because it increases the pressure on the kidneys and ureters.

You should also avoid lying flat without elevation as this will cause urine to flow backward (reflux), which will also increase the pressure.

Avoid sleeping on the same side as the stent as this will put more pressure on the stent. Thus, it may increase the pain — although some patients may find it more comfortable.

So, any position that can increase your discomfort should be avoided. If you wake up in any form of pain, change positions rather than keeping through it.

Medications and Therapies to Reduce Stent Discomfort

You can take medications that will reduce stent discomfort and improve sleep quality. The right medications can help, so you can discuss your options.

What Medications Can Help with Stent Pain?

Several types of medications can help manage your stent discomfort:

• Alpha-blockers like tamsulosin, alfuzosin, and silodosin. These medications relax the smooth muscles in the bladder neck and ureter. This reduces your flank pain, urgency, and urinary frequency. It has been shown to improve pain and urinary symptoms in patients with kidney stents, which would reduce the need for narcotics.

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen are commonly used pain relievers for patients with kidney stents. But you should consult your doctor before use, especially if you have known stomach or kidney issues.

• Anti-spasmodic medications like oxybutynin can reduce bladder spasms and urinary frequency. They can help calm bladder irritation, which is caused by the stent. But these could cause side effects like constipation and dry mouth, so it is often recommended to use stool softeners.

There are still other medications that may help but your doctor will discuss these things with you. If you should be taking pain medications, take it 30 minutes before bedtime. It should help you fall asleep comfortably. However, your doctor will give you specific instructions.

Are There Any Alternative Therapies that Can Help?

Medications aren’t always the option. There are other therapies that are non-drug approaches. These are the following:

• Heat therapy — a warm heating pad on your lower back or abdomen for about 15 mins before bedtime can help ease pain and relax your muscles

• Warm baths — done after bedtime, these could relax your entire body and can reduce discomfort from the stent

• Relaxation techniques — meditation, gentle stretching, or deep breathing can help your body relax before you sleep

There are some patients who find combination therapies with medications and alternative approaches.

Lifestyle and Dietary Tips for Better Sleep with a Stent

What you eat and drink could affect how you feel with the stent, especially during sleeping.

What to Eat and Drink with a Kidney Stent?

The aim is to keep your urinary system healthy and functioning. So it is best to focus on foods and drinks that are healthy for the system.

• Water

• Fiber-rich foods

• Fruits and vegetables

• Cranberry products

You should also know when to eat and drink these foods. Try to drink more during the day and reduce the fluids at night.

How Much Water Should You Drink?

The goal is to stay hydrated — 8 cups a day could be right but it also depends on your activity level. However, if you have a kidney stent, you must follow some basic concepts, like:

• Drink fluid more in the morning than in the afternoon or evening

• Reduce fluid intake at least 2-3 hours before you sleep

• Increase fluid intake if there is a change in color in your urine like darker or has a strong smell

• Adjust your water intake based on your activity level

A good way to check to check if you have enough fluid intake is to assess your urine for its color:

• Too transparent (clear) — means you’re drinking too much

• Too dark — means you’re not drinking enough

Are There Foods to Avoid?

There are some foods that can irritate your urinary system including:

• Caffeinated drinks (limit to 3-5 cups of plain coffee a day)

• Alcohol can act as a diuretic so you’ll be losing fluid

• Spicy food

• Acidic foods and drinks

• Artificial sweeteners

You should always pay attention to what your body is telling you. If something is clearly causing you discomfort, you should avoid it until your stent is removed.

When to Seek Medical Care?

Discomfort is normal and common especially after placement of the kidney stent. However, there are symptoms or signs that you shouldn’t ignore.

Seek medical care if you experience:

• Fever over 38.3°C (101°F), as this could mean infection

• Severe pain that is not relieved by any pain medication

• Increasing pain or unusual sensation on your urethra as this could mean the stent has been displaced or moved

• Inability to urinate

• Persistent nausea or vomiting

• Presence of bright blood or blood clots in the urine (pink tinge urine may be normal during the few days upon placement)

If you have your doctor’s contact and you experience any of these, don’t hesitate to seek medical care. Or, you could go directly to the nearest emergency room to prevent further complications.

Complications:

• Infection (fever, chills, foul-smelling or cloudy urine, increasing pain)

• Stent movement (increasing pain, feeling a lump on your urethra, or painful urination)

• Obstruction (decreased or no urine output, swelling, or back pain)

• Encrustation — stent is accumulating mineral deposits, increasing the pain over time

While these complications are rare, there are patients who do experience them. It is better to be vigilant when you are a post-kidney stent placement patient.

Want to keep track of your urinary system’s health? Get a Ribbon Checkup kit today and you’ll be glad you did!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you remove the stent yourself?

No, never attempt to remove the stent on your own. Doing so will result in improper removal of the stent, which can damage your urethra or ureter in the process. Always have a medical professional remove the stent because they know the correct timing of the removal.

How long do you need a stent for?

The duration of kidney stent placement depends on why you need it in the first place. If it is after uncomplicated procedures, the stent may remain in place for a shorter period of time compared to other conditions like kidney stones and strictures.

Will the stent affect your normal activities?

Many patients post-kidney stent placement can maintain their normal daily activities. However, there are activities that you may need to reduce or modify, such as no heavy lifting.

Written by Jaclyn P. Leyson-Azuela, RMT, MD, MPH
Jaclyn P. Leyson-Azuela, RMT, MD, MPH, is a licensed General Practitioner and Public Health Expert. She currently serves as a physician in private practice, combining clinical care with her passion for preventive health and community wellness.

References

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CDC. (2024, May 10). About water and healthier drinks. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/water-healthy-drinks/index.html 

Cleveland Clinic. (2021, August 25). Ureteral stents: What are they, procedure & recovery. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21795-ureteral-stents 

Monga, M., & Miyaoka, R. (2009). Ureteral stent discomfort: Etiology and management. Indian Journal of Urology, 25(4), 455. https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-1591.57910 

Sulaiman, M., Buchholz, N., & Clark, P. (1999). The Role of Ureteral Stent Placement in the Prevention of Steinstrasse. Journal of Endourology, 13(3), 151–155. https://doi.org/10.1089/end.1999.13.151 

Ureteral Stenting (Double J Stent, JJ Stent) | Bumrungrad. (n.d.). Www.bumrungrad.com. https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/treatments/ureteral-stenting-double-jj-stent 

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