I built a stent today virtually identical to the pictures posted by Cathdiap. Attempting to use it didn't go well.
I have very little experience with sticking things up my urethra. I own some metal sounds that I played with a little bit about a year ago and that is it. I have never used a catheter. I just have a few questions about other's experiences with their stents.
How do you know when it is inserted properly? I used one of my metal sounds as a pusher and was never successful in getting free flowing urine. The sounds are 8 inches long and I pushed until only about an inch of sound was showing out of my urethra. When withdrawing the sound, I feel like the stent was following it out for about the first two inches.
I eventually gave up and removed it. It was pretty uncomfortable (definitely painful, but not excruciating by any means) and I was unable to get free flowing urine. After pulling it up, peeing for the first time was pretty painful. It has been about five hours since I removed it and urinating still hurts, but it has lessened. I have drank about 80 ounces of water since removing it and will continue drinking a lot until all discomfort has gone.
I'll be waiting for at least a few days before trying again. Any advice?