Three times a week for four hours each time. That’s the reality for patients needing kidney dialysis.
For Gloria Herbert and Anne Wilde it can feel like a treadmill that’s both emotionally and physically exhausting.
But being part of a research study at Clacton’s Dialysis Unit looking into treatment options has helped patients feel more positive.
Gloria Herbert
Gloria Herbert lives in Clacton and previously worked as a cultural awareness team leader for CVS Tendring before becoming poorly and feeling constantly tired. She was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in November 2022 and now has to have dialysis three times a week.
The 62-year-old said: “I have no choice – it’s dialysis or die and emotionally it’s very difficult at times to feel positive, but there’s so little out there about kidney disease I’m keen to do everything I can to raise awareness – including be part of a research study.”
Patients may need dialysis if their kidneys aren’t able to process waste and remove excess water which is then passed out through urine. Dialysis is able to do this by diverting a patient’s blood through a machine to be cleaned.
During dialysis a fluid is used which includes salt. The RESOLVE study is seeing if there’s an optimum level of salt that’s better for patients’ hearts during their treatment.
Anne Wilde
Anne Wilde is also taking part in the study and has kidney dialysis at the Clacton Dialysis Unit in Kennedy Way, which is run by Diaverum with ESNEFT consultants overseeing patients’ treatment.
The 67-year-old has chronic kidney disease and has been having dialysis for more than a year.
She said: “I start to feel puffy, groggy and a bit breathless by the time I need dialysis again.
“If being part of the study helps with future decision making then that’s great. I hope it progresses treatment for patients so I’m happy to be a part of it.”
Patients having dialysis at the Clacton Dialysis Unit or Colchester Hospital are part of the study following information given by the team, but they can opt out of the study if they wish.
Emma Williams
Emma Williams is a clinical research practitioner at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Trust (ESNEFT) that runs Colchester Hospital. She said: “There’s no set level for sodium when patients are having dialysis, so this study is collecting data across the country from different sites to see if there’s a better level during treatment.
“It’s a really positive step we’re running research in Clacton. We’re keen to carry out more research studies across our community so people from across the area can be involved. We want to make sure health and social care – including research – is an option near to where people live.”
Elizabeth Yeboa-Henaku is the renal unit manager at Diaverum in Clacton. She said: “The study is a really positive move for the treatment for our patients in the future and help improve their quality of life as well as help staff deliver standardised care for our patients.”
Gloria and Anne have given their consent to share their stories about their involvement with the study.
More information about chronic kidney disease is available on the NHS website.
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