Nichola Richardson

Nicola, 45 has Medullary Sponge Kidneys . Although she passed her first two stones in her twenties, Nicola has had problems with kidney stones since around 2001.

By 2006, the stones were causing severe problems with continual pain in her back and bladder area. Nicola’s kidneys constantly make stones and she has to take heavy prescription pain relief to help her cope. This is when Nicola Nicola Richardsonfirst contacted Kidney Health Information.

All the pain and illness has taken its toll and Nicola has had to take time off work which resulted in her losing her job.

Nicola had lithotripsy , however just a month afterwards a check scan revealed that the stones were back. Nicola has now seen a consultant and is being referred to a pain clinic. Her GP is very supportive and always returns her calls promptly.

Nicola feels isolated as not many people (the medical profession included) are familiar with medullary sponge kidneys. She would very much like to make contact others with this condition and hopes very much that our online forum will help in achieving this.

In April 2008, Nicola visited the Dominican Republic and enjoyed a holiday, however she still needed to have several painkilling injections from the local medical service whilst away.