Welcome Hayley. Great to have you as part of the community.
2 Likes
Hello, I am Angharad from Wales.
I was born with 1 kydney, I didnt find out until I was 20 years old. Iāve had a living kydney transplant in 2025 from my brother.
3 Likes
Hi, im Elaine, diagnosed with IgA nephropathy 18 months ago. Unfortunately had a rapid drop in kidney function and currently at Stage 4. Started on Kinpeygo 6 weeks ago
2 Likes
Hey, im Sarah. 46 from sheffield. I was diagnosed with ckd at the age of 5 as its hereditary in my family. Im now stage 5 but still managing to avoid dialysis for the time being. Joined as even though this affects 90 percent of my immediate family i find it difficult to find people who understand.
2 Likes
Hi everyone. I found out I had ckd last year. Iām at stage 3a. Apparently according to my medical history Iāve had it for 6 years! And my eGFR had been fairly constant. Iāve just been told not to lose any sleep over it! But I do. Any advice would be appreciated.
5 Likes
Hi all. I feel a bit of a fraud after reading everyoneās introductions! Iām carer for my hubby who lost both his kidneys to cancer, the second in January 2019. A couple of months later he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in his abdomen. Chemo was out because no kidneys. Oncologist pushed to try immunotherapy but we were prepared for the worst. Immunotherapy was cancelled during Covid but had already worked its miracle. Here we are, 7 years later, happily (?) dialysing at home. There has been talk of transplant recently and hubby is currently being assessed for suitability. Anyway, thatās my long-winded way of saying hello. 
7 Likes
Hi Iām Phill
67 years old. Have CKD as a result of 40 years insulin dependant Diabetes. Was referred two years ago to prepare for dialysis but have so far managed to stave this off due to a significant change in lifestyle.
interested to understand how other manage their CKD
3 Likes
Hi I have CKD as a result of damage either from Lithium or Covid or both. I also have type 2 diabetes and Bipolar disorder. My life seems to be a constant battle of trying to keep everthing in balance abd sometimes I get tired of just trying to be āgoodā all the time.
Iād love to hear how other people deal with the days when they just want to do as they please, rather than do as they should.
3 Likes
Hi everybody. Iām Alan and have been CKD3b since I had sepsis in August 2021. Spent 5 months in hospital whilst they decided what antibiotic worked. Let me home for Christmas and after that discovered that my kidneys had taken a dive.
My Gfr is currently 37 and my Cretinine is off the scale. Doesnāt worry me at 80 as itās a hospitals problem not mine. I just assist the repair by eating a kidney friendly diet as best I can. Got to keep a positive outlook on life
Keep your bladder emptied as best you can. You donāt want the urine backing up into your kidneys as they canāt cope with the extra toxins in your wee.
If you need a pee then go. Donāt hold on to it if you can. I know the problem with lack of public toilets but do some looking at whatās available.
You can get a CKD card which will help you persuade retail outlets to use their toilets. Perhaps admin will know where to get one
Keep smiling
4 Likes
Hi everyone, Iām Elaine, 55. APKD. Started hemo dialysis July 2020, did 3 years in the unit and 1.5 years home HD in my garden cabin. I was blessed with a transplant Jan 2025. Recovery was slow, lots of complications but doing well now, creatinine is a stable 130sh..love outdoors with my dog, hoping to do my first climb and do as many Munros as I can this year..
3 Likes
Hi Shona
Thank you very much.
I hope that all is going well with your PD and also hope that a suitable Kidney becomes available for you.
Look after yourselfā¦
Henrik
1 Like
Hi my name is Akram and end of May this year will mark 46 years completed on dialysis for me.
I started dialysis when I was 14 due to a congenital condition causing reflux into the kidneys and multiple infections (pyelonephritis).
I dialyse at home and although I have dialysed at multiple units have spent most time managing my own health.
Iām a self employed IT Consultant but spent many years working for IBM but am also semi-retired now. I do voluntary work for Kidney Research UK as a patient representative and am also one of the co-chairs of the Renal MedTech Network.
5 Likes
Welcome Elaine. Hope you find Kidney Community a useful space for connecting with others in a similar situation.
1 Like
Hi Sarah. Hope you find some people within Kidney Community who you do feel understand your situation.
1 Like
Welcome Phil. Hope itās useful for you hearing the approach others take on this forum.
1 Like
Welcome Lammas2. Sorry to hear that life is often a constant battle. We hope that this online space will help you find some mutual support on those days when itās especially hard.
1 Like
Welcome Elaine. Good luck with your first climb! Glad to have you as part of the community.
1 Like
Hello, 
I am Tish 6yrs post transplant, still trying to figure all this out and this is my first time leaning into this community. I currently am struggling with my mental health, managing work ongoing load of kidney disease (IgA nephropathy).
Iām also married, practice and teach Pilates and currently embarking on a coaching qualification.
3 Likes
Hi everyone! My name is Kiran and I had a kidney transplant just over 11 years ago, with my dad being my donor. Sadly my kidney function has started to decline and currently my Gfr is 14%. I have discussed dialysis with my renal team and will be going for PD, as want to maintain my independence as much as possible. I just turned 40, have 2 young children and work full time so would like to find out what life may look like going forward on dialysis. Feeling overwhelmed and anxious about the future.
3 Likes
Welcome Tish. Great that youāre getting involved with Kidney Community. I hope it can be a space, supportive space for you.
2 Likes