Recent horrible kidney stone journey and a nearly-deadly infection

I thought I'd share my experience here, in case it helps someone else.

I've been getting stones for 30 years (every 4-6 years or so). In early October, they found the most recent stone (after my persistent begging for a CT scan). Doc didn't think it was "that bad," so they didn't get me in to surgery until December 9 (Monday). Fine. I was in misery, but whatever.

The day after the surgery (ureteroscopy) and a horrible stent (which always hurts worse than the stones), my pain kept increasing. I called my doctor's office repeatedly throughout the week, but no one got back to me until Thursday night, when the doctor called me. I told him the pain was excruciating, and he dismissed me, saying that I was exaggerating the pain, his other patients don't complain this much, and the meds I received were "more than enough" to manage the pain. I asked if I could take the stent out early (instead of 1 week), and he said "absolutely not."

Every day, the pain got worse, and I'd just lie in bed and cry. By Sunday morning, the pain was unbearable, so I removed the stent (1 day early). I had a few moments of relief, but then the pain started increasing again. By 8:30am, 3 hours after I pulled the stent, I was on the way to the hospital in an ambulance.

Within an hour of arrival, the doctor determined that I had a severe infection. My kidney was swollen and no longer working at all. The CT scan showed lots of dust from the stone in my kidney, but since the infection had swollen everything shut, it wasn't going anywhere. If I'd waited much longer before coming to the hospital, I would've become septic and potentially died.

I was in danger of losing my kidney altogether. They transferred me (via ambulance) to the hospital that specializes in nephrology/urology, where I had the original surgery. I was there, on constant IV antibiotic drips and heavy pain meds, for 4 days. Finally, the infection and pain were controlled enough that I could go home, so I'm recovering here with even more antibiotics.

I'm incredibly knowledgeable about stones, and the surgeon STILL dismissed me, until it was almost too late. During the first few days in the hospital, other doctors handled my case (and were amazing). Once he discovered I was there, he bullied his way back into being in charge of my case and was so incredibly rude and disrespectful - not only to me, but he also treated the nurses terribly! One of them was so offended that when he left the room, she said, "He just lied straight to my face! And what a disrespectful asshole!" Yup. In total agreement with you, sis.

Oh, and the asshole wanted to place another stent, but without a string, so I couldn't "disobey" his orders and remove it early. He also wanted to leave it in even longer (2-3 weeks). Frankly, it sounded like punishment for going around him directly to the hospital. I guess he would've preferred for me to die. I refused the stent and went home without one.

Mortal of the story: Advocate fiercely for yourself. If you know something is wrong, keep seeking help. No one else knows your pain. And if someone tries to prevent you from getting help - even someone knowledgeable like a surgeon - go around them.