When Debbie Hollingsworth noticed blood in her urine, her GP referred her to Colchester Hospital. A CT scan discovered Debbie had two kidney stones. The best treatment would be to have them broken up so she could pass them.
Rather than have surgery, Debbie was able to have lithotripsy treatment. This new treatment uses a lithotripter machine which breaks down the stones by using sound waves.
Debbie Hollingsworth
Debbie, 52, said: “I had to lay in warm water, and the shock waves felt like having an elastic band pinged on my back. It lasted around an hour. It was fantastic to be able to have treatment without it being an operation.”
Symptoms of kidney stones are stomach pain or feeling sick. More severe symptoms include weeing blood, severe pain, a high temperature or episodes of shivering or shaking.
Debbie works in her husband’s catering company. She said that after the procedure she felt fine and was able to go home within hours.
She added: “I had a little bit of tummy pain after and my wee was a bit gravelly from the broken up stones. But I’ve had no problems since. I’m so pleased it’s been sorted quickly as my Mum also had kidney stones and ended up getting sepsis.”
The new permanent lithotripter at Colchester Hospital
The new lithotripter at Colchester Hospital is a £1.1m investment. Patients from both the Colchester and Ipswich areas can be treated.
From left to right: Sam Datta, consultant urological surgeon and Clinical Director for urological and vascular surgery; Kerry Bliss, advanced nurse specialist; Vinu Retnamma, advanced nurse specialist; Renz Fuerte, specialist radiographer
Mr Sam Datta is a consultant urological surgeon and Clinical Director for urological and vascular surgery at ESNEFT. Sam said: “Having a new fixed-site lithotripter is a huge benefit for patients, as it offers more effective treatment. There’s no need for an operation, or more than one operation if a patient has multiple stones.
“The sound or pressure waves break up the stone or stones and turn them to dust or small fragments the patient can then pass in their wee.
“Investing in a fixed-site lithotripter allows us to break more stones more often. It will also be useful for emergency patient presenting in pain.”
The NHS website has information about the symptoms and treatment for kidney stones. Speak to your GP if you have any concerns.
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