Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.
5 years ago, David's GP told him that the anti-inflammatory medication (diclofenac) he had been taking for arthritic pain in his shoulder may have caused mild kidney damage. He has had regular check-ups for his kidney function ever since.
David is a retired postal admin manager. In autumn 2013 he was diagnosed with defibrillation of the heart and prescribed warfarin. He is widowed, lives by himself and has two...
Robert developed hypertension in his late 40s. He was referred for a kidney scan, learned that his kidney function was mildly impaired and was put on medication to control his blood pressure. He feels mostly well now, keeps active and eats a healthy diet.
Robert retired 6 years ago from his very busy job as a bakery shift engineer after developing macular degeneration in his left eye. He is married, has three adult children...
Barbara was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 9 years ago after experiencing excessive tiredness. She was prescribed thyroxine which helps with her symptoms. She attends annual check-ups for her thyroid and asthma, but was unaware that the blood tests also check her kidney function. She has a good relationship with her GP and trusts him to tell her what she needs to know.
Barbara is a retired care assistant. She is divorced and lives by herself close to her siblings and children. She has 4 adult children and helps with the care of...
Kath found out that she had kidney damage in 2006 when in hospital for a hip replacement. She was told that this had been caused by the anti-inflammatories she had been taking for her osteoarthritis and that she would need to find alternative medication.
Kath is a retired piano teacher. In her 40s she developed severe osteoarthritis, which continues to cause her a lot of pain. She is divorced, has 3 adult children and...
Laura has had high blood pressure and kidney disease for 17 years and, although told her risk of kidney failure was high, her function has declined very little since diagnosis. As well as taking blood pressure medications, she uses complementary therapies and has changed her diet in a bid to stay well.
Laura is a payroll manager. She cohabits with her partner and has no children. Ethnic background: White British.
A few years ago Anne found out she had chronic kidney disease after a routine check for her diabetes. Her kidney function is stable but she would like to know what, if anything, she could do to prevent it worsening. She has a lot of other health problems but feels reasonably well at present.
Anne is widowed with four children. She is a retired administrator. Ethnic background: White British.
Xanthe found out after a routine blood test that there was a problem with her kidney function. This was particularly worrying to her as she only has one kidney. She is fit and well and is doing what she can to preserve her remaining kidney function.
Xanthe is married with no children. She has retired from the clothing trade and looks after her husband. Ethnic background: White British.
Jackie had repeated kidney infections in childhood which went untreated causing long-term damage to her kidneys. Her blood pressure has also been high since childhood. She takes medicines to control her blood pressure and cholesterol and has a check-up with her GP every six months.
Jackie is married with three adult children. She works in NHS service improvement. Ethnic background: White British.
Tony's kidney impairment was picked up on a routine blood test. He was referred to a consultant at first but is now monitored monthly by his GP with whom he has a good relationship. He takes pills to control his blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Tony is single and works as a volunteer driver for the Red Cross, having retired from his main occupation as a hotel duty manager. Ethnicity: White British.
Jim has been diabetic for 20 years and has a check-up every three months where his blood is tested for a variety of things including his blood sugar level. After a recent test he learned from his GP that he has a mild kidney problem probably due to his age.
Jim is widowed with two adult children. He is a retired company director. Ethnic background: White British.
