frustrating doctors appointment

Hi Deborah.  Couple of issues here - I agree with other comments that it's not for your GP to 'call' on whether you need urgent surgery, it's for an ortho surgeon to assess so you definitely need a referral - dont pay privately, you are entitled to such under the NHS.  Secondly, whilst it was always the case that they would delay the 'first' joint replacement as long as poss., as the artificial joints had a limited lifespan and there was also a limit on how many times they could be renewed.  Modern joint replacement techniques are vastly improved and the 'shelf life' of new joints is now much much longer.  In any case, your mobility and pain issues now at age 56 are far more critical than say when and if you get to about age 80 and have run out of options.  Next - physio does often help a great deal.  I had to literally BEG for physio after a major accident destroyed cartilage in my ankle joint and caused OA. I waited over a year for it but when I finally did get physiotherapy it helped enormously to strengthen the joint and both ease the pain and get me walking properly again. Ankle joint replacement isn't as advanced as knee/hip etc., so I don't have the same options unfortunately.

Lastly, I really really sympathise regarding the pain, particularly the Poly and fibro pain - I too have developed fibro and now my neck also has OA and the pain is quite sickening at times.  I agree re steroids, they provided me with temporary relief but caused other nasty issues so I ditched them.  Have a look at natural anti inflammatory foods/supplements - ginger is wonderful for inflammatory pain, as is curcumin (found in small amounts in turmeric - but buy the concentrated version in capsule form instead).  I drink ginger tea and also rub ginger on the joint and it really really helps.  

Upshot is - DEMAND an appointment with an ortho, it's  your right.  The surgeon will explain the available options to you by assessing your [u]current[/u] needs not some unknown 30 years down the line vague possibility of being disabled.  

Good luck hon and a big gentle hug. xx

Hello Deborah I have had osteoarthritis in my lower back for 23 years, just this week have been diagnosed with it in my hands wrists left shoulder and left arm, I have pain most places, I had some physio but was discharged because no more could be done for me. I do swim when I can, sometimes I take naproxen tramadol and codeine plus hot water bottle. Doctors here in the uk don't want to refer people with arthritis. I am not sure what they can do anyway. I do get a lot of inflammation in my knuckles but I try to keep them moving and rub cream into them. I would love to have one day without pain that is what I wish for, hope you get some relief soon x

Thank you all for your replies. I am in the UK as some of you gathered. I don't have private health insurance but have a tiny bit of help from a policy I pay £14 a month for which would pay up to £100 towards seeing a consultant privately. I have spoken to my sister who works on out patients at our local hospital who told me that if the physio feels that she cannot help after trying a varietyof tratments she (the physio) can refer me to an ortho consultant. I take dihydracodein before bed (I can't use it during the day as it makes me drowsy) and codeine and paracetamol during the day. I can't take anti inflammatory meds as I've previously had two stomach ulcers. It's so humiliating when I stand up after sitting and stagger and limp..I look like flipping quasimodo! My mother was like this but she was76 and she says she wasn't in as much pain as I am. The doctor also mentioned that as I am diabetic and taking steroids that would go against surgery too. The reason I'm diabetic is because of the steroids!!!!! 0

Hi Deborah,

I had to go down the physio route for my hip, but I went along with it and my physio was a great help in getting me a referral.  I am older than you but age shouldn't come into it if it's bone on bone,  They're not going to get any better but you may find a physio is more sympathetic than your GP.

Cels x 

Hello Deborah

My doctor told me I was getting old hows, that for professional opinion ? Of course I found a new doctor, she took me seriously, I had an MRI that showed I had spinal stenosis. Also, I have OA in my right knee and left hand. For the last four weeks I have been having injections at a pain clinic. They are low dose but I am having less pain and can now go up & down stairs in a normal fashoin. The injections are known as 0.25% naropin here in Canada. I have the injections either side of my spine and cautizone injections for my knee every three months. The pain clinic say I may not need surgery down the road. I go to aquafit five days a week and also use an exercise bike. My exercise is helping to overcome shortness of breath, last year I was told I need to exercise more so that's what I'm doing. I've cut down on those nasty pain killers that destroy your liver according to my physio, I'm sure he is right.

Alpine

Sorry you are in do much pain. I would make a complaint.age shouldn't come into it my friend had 1 knee done last year and waiting for 2nd done she's 70.

I wanted my Dr to send me to a specialist but was told I had to see physio first, the first available appointment was in 3 months. I went private.

It's my hip that are painful,I'm now feeling much better after taking steroids.

My physo appointment in in 5 week I don't need now, the specialists as transfered me to nhs.

Please don't put up with the dr saying its about age, ring advice centre or write to your mp.