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Getting Thoroughly Fed Up

Posted , 7 users are following.

dennisb
dennisb

Having had to give up the more physical aspects of my job several years ago due to Ankylosing Spondylitis, a form of arthritis which fuses the spine, Luckily I have been able to work from home helping people with computer problems, else I would have been out of work.

When the levels of pain just kept increasing I was given an x-ray which showed I needed both hips replacing.

This just seems to be taking for ever and nobody seems interested in trying to relieve the pain which is just steadily getting worse. After spending several months on the NHS list and several phone calls they finally asked if i would like my case looked at in a local private hospital.

I agreed to this and from referral to that hospital I am getting the first hip done in 3 weeks time, why couldn't they have offered me that option weeks ago.

 

2 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • supercargo
    supercargo dennisb

    Posted

    Hi Dennis

    In our area it is the same surgeons that operate privately and in the NHS, as you have found, it is a lot quicker done privately. Also probably not as rushed to get you out of bed too soon to free up for the next patient. Understand that NHS hospitals try and have 2 patients for each bed in a five day week.

    • dennisb
      dennisb supercargo

      Posted

      The consultant I was originally booked with does work at that private hospital but he is not the one dealing with my case. He is from another NHS hospital. We will wait and see about whether they try and rush things once I get in there.
  • lyn1951
    lyn1951 dennisb

    Posted

    Exactly the same in Australia, it all seems to be the quality of your GP. The staff at the hospital all but confirmed it to me. that they treat different Dr's referals with different levels of urgency.  When I finally got to see the otheopedic surgeon, he said I should have seen you 5 years ago. By that time my right hip was a nightmare, it was so worn out. Surgery booked 2 weeks after outpatients appointment, they tried to get my admitted there on then, but coudn't find me a bed, My hip was considered broken, what was the ball of hip joint was like an egg with the yoke missing, and no suggestion of round, some of the rough points on it were starting to punch a hole in my pelvis. Apparently from my understanding when I went into surgery there was a question of having to do a bone graft to my pelvis to support the new cup, still not sure they did bone graft, but I do have a odd scar away from THR site near my spine at the back.  I too have arthritis, psoratic arthritis. I come back negative for RA, and negative Psoratic genetic, but specialist assures me I have it. I have completly run out of options with medicaiton, I have tried the lot, and cannot take some of the newer bilogicals as I have had cancer previously, and they don't reccommend for ex-cancer patients.
  • cathie38426
    cathie38426 dennisb

    Posted

    If you have a back problem it seems to slow

    down the hip diagnosis. It happened to me.

    the truth is that having your hip(s) replaced

    will support your spine.

    If you are getting your operation in three weeks

    you will get a lot of tips and support from this 

    site.

    just ask and we will help you along

    Cathie

  • Loral
    Loral dennisb

    Posted

    Congrats!!!  You will feel so much better soon.
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