Any advice on dealing with pain before TKR

Pain Killers stepped up today with Gabapenton as have had to come off Amitryptylene due to dry mouth. No Op date yet  but the way it is going I expect nearly a year, but other leg is giving way now due to extra pressure on it. Worried I may not be mobile in a few months.

 

Where do you live? Why do you think it'll take so long? I tried all the tablets you talked about, every one of them made my mouth dry or made me loopy. The only combination that worked for me was, lanzaprole in the morning a half hour before starting the rest of my tablets. They were 3 nefopam, 2 paracetamol and 1 double strength ibuprofen. That was 3 times a day.

Louise, I am in Scotland and the local Health Authority is £30 mill in debt. Last year the Physio said they could do nothing and needed TKR. Saw Specialist in Jan 17 and he said as I had a Urine Infection, to come back when clear. Went back 4 May and told I was on 12 week waiting list, a letter followed shortly saying now on 18 week list. At 22 weeks rang up and was told end Jan / Feb 2018. Phoned up 3 weeks ago and told will be much longer than this as all elective surgery has been stopped in this area around Christmas & New Year. Also have Prostate Cancer and Prostatitis so waiting for Prostate removal to stop recurring urine infections. Pain killers are now like Smarties !.Have had Lanzoprazole, won't give me Ibuprofen, yet when down in England with CoDydramol it was a great pain killer.  Afraid very depressed over it as getting nowhere, read about E- Referral as in England but does not apply to Scottish NHS unless someone here knows of something else. Paid all my taxes all my life.

I'm in Scotland too. Once I was referred to see the surgeon I only waited about 6 weeks maybe for my surgery. At the time I spoke to him he said 4-6 months because of the debts but it was so quick. I'd also put dates in between that when I wouldn't be available because I was getting married, honeymoon etc. It must be your other problems maybe holding it back. I really hope you don't have to wait too long. Good luck

Louise,  Thanks for coming back to me and 6 weeks is amazing. I am in Tayside Health Authority and they have not told me my other problems are holding me back, just that they cannot do anything if I have a urine infection. Was given a Pre Op last May which was OK, but not even a date for another Pre op yet.  I would not mind if they were totally honest with me, but my leg keeps giving way and the other is murder to walk on, Dr won't X Ray as says it will be same as other one.

David

That's right. Any kind of infection or open wound they won't touch you. I am Tayside as well. What's the surgeon's name, do you know?

Hi Louise,   It is Mr Singer at PRI. I just can't imagine how we have so much difference in waiting times, although I have been told in this area once you have gone past 12 or 18 weeks then they delay you to try and catch others coming up to those periods so that it makes the figures look good. I wrote to our MSP a month ago, but no reply, and don't know where to go now as really struggled to walk round the Supermarket this afternoon hanging on to the trolley. Glad you are on the mend, where did they do your op ?.

David

I'm from Dundee but moved to Perth when I got married in August. Because of this my assessment and everything was done in Dundee. I said I was willing to go to either Perth, Dundee or Stracathro. Apparently if you're willing to go to Stracathro any operation gets done quicker. Don't know why, it's the best hospital out of the 3.

I have said I would go anywhere at any time. Also I am a Simulated Patient in Ninewells  giving up some spare time to teach Doctors and Nurses.  Only thing is just got another Urine infection so don't want offer of surgery for a week or two, but just had 3 months clear before that.

David

Louise, I was back in Ninewells last Monday to Wednesday unable to pass water and had another catheter in and sent home. While in hospital I had a visit from a lady in Tayside management and was concerned about letter received from MSP about my waiting time as that was really bad she said. As a result she is going to send me to the NHS specialist hospital Golden Jubilee at Clydebank within 6 weeks, so will wait and see. Now got blocked catheter with blood so will have to contact NHS out of hours. What a great life. Hope things are good for you.

David

You're not having an easy time of it are you. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you it all goes to plan. I'm doing good thanks