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How Long Did you wait for THR?

Posted , 11 users are following.

ptolemy
ptolemy

How long did people have to wait for their hip replacements? This is a potted version of where I am at the moment, I hope I am not too boring. 

- Two years ago I was in the supermarket and felt faint, the next thing I knew I was flat on the floor surrounded by staff. I then discovered I could not stand by myself, but two burly shop assistants pulled me up and dumped me in a wheelchair. Came home and had terrible pain in top of right thigh.

- Went to an osteopath with GP approval, who worked on my right thigh. She said I might have a vascular problem as I had a heavy leg and it was painful to lift it up, so went to vascular surgeon with GP approval.

- A year ago Vascular surgeon said I had phlebitis in my right thigh and if I did not do something it would get much worse, so I had the main vein in my right leg removed and some little ones. Paid privately for VNUS Closure procedure and sclerotherapy, rather than vein stripping. It did not make a blind bit of difference to the heavy leg and pain, if anything it was worse. 

- Went to physio to try and relief the pain. She said it could be a nicked femoral artery and bursitis.

- Went to GP who referred me to another GP who can do steroid injections. He said it was not bursitis but could be a torn muscle. Suggested I had blood tests.

- GP said there was nothing he could do, but gave me paracetamol. I asked if I could have a scan, he said it would not help. I then said could I see a consultant privately. He gave me a phone number and said phone him.

- Made an appointment with consultant, GP gave consultant a letter saying I was fully mobile, and weight bearing. Minor muscle pain and it was my request to see the consultant! In fact the letter was rubbish. By this time I was in agony and pretty well housebound. 

- This week I saw the consultant, lay on the bed and in five seconds he sad "It's your hip". This was the first time anyone had mentioned the word HIP. 

- Had an x-ray, went back to consultant who said you need a hip replacement NOW or you will be in a wheelchair by Christmas as the whole hip joint is clobbered, he actually used medical terms to say that! I was gobsmacked. 

- I have discovered going privately is very pricey. How long will I have to wait for an operation on the NHS? The consultant is supposed to be writing to my GP. I am not sure what I should say to my GP apart I am not a happy bunny! 

2 likes, 53 replies

53 Replies

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  • kris1964
    kris1964 ptolemy

    Posted

    You have my heart felt sympathies. I thank my lovely GP for sending me for an X-ray when I believed I had a pulled muscle. Took a while to see Consultant. Saw him 8 weeks ago and having LTHR at private hospital a week on Monday. Which means I will be waiting 9 weeks since seeing him. 

    Might be worth letting the admissions team that you would be happy to take a last minute cancellation. I think it happens all the time. 

    Fingers crossed you have an early date. 

    All the best. X

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy kris1964

      Posted

      I don't know if I am able to be fast tracked, as the consultant said if the whole thing collapses, which it might quite soon, it makes the operation much more difficult. I cannot believe that I have gone this long without anyone even suspecting a problem. I think my problem is I always go into an appointment laughing and smiling, probably nervous energy, so they think I am complaining about nothing. 

      I have a Victorian house which is full of stairs up and down to rooms, so should be interesting after the op. 

  • Janilamour
    Janilamour ptolemy

    Posted

    The normal waiting time for NHS patients is 18 weeks. If your on the list I shouldn't think you will be much longer. I waited on average 7 weeks and had my op 9 weeks ago. I have been doing really well and am glad I had the surgery. 

    Unfortunetly my leg has been very painful over the last week and I thought I had overdone my exercises and made it very sore, when in fact I have developed shingles. Luckily I think I have caught them just in time to be able to have them treated with Zovrax therapy. It's just bad luck on my part and nothing to do with my surgery.

    I wish you all the best for your op and although you may be anxious about it, don't be. It will mean you will be able to get back to some independence again and be in less pain. 

    • Janilamour
      Janilamour

      Posted

      P.S. I forgot to mention that I was off my crutches at 4 weeks and was able to manage the stairs independently. 
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy Janilamour

      Posted

      That is impressive to get of crutches so quickly. My stairs are a nightmare, very steep, in a Victorian cottage and lots of small steps up and down. Perhaps I should move!!! To get to the loo may be a problem. 

      I am not sure I am on the list as I saw the consultant privately. When he said I needed a hip replacement immediately, I felt he was just about to take me next door to the operating theatre! 

    • Jacquijill79
      Jacquijill79 ptolemy

      Posted

      Hi,

      my husband put a temporary day bed downstairs, because we thought I would need some lie down time.  I'm so glad, I still use it when I have had a tiring morning. If you bring all things downstairs in the morning, there is no need to go up again til bedtime.

      We also were given a chair to use, that was exactly the right height for me,

      as well as handles for the loo seat.

      the first week is very uncomfortable and I felt very useless, the second week is spent coming to terms with it all, and from then on things quickly get better each day! 

      X

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy Jacquijill79

      Posted

      Thanks Jacqui. My house is really difficult which is a bit worrying. Just hope I can sort things out.
  • patsy63
    patsy63 ptolemy

    Posted

    Hi Polemy

    So sorry to hear of your problems. My GP didnt refer me untill I got to the point of collapse. However my problems were very different from yours. Now your with the consultant, I have found that the secretary can be very helpful, and suggest you give her a ring. Dont worry about the stairs too much. You wont be allowed home until you can manage them. The thought can be worse than actually it is. Good luck Patsy.

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy patsy63

      Posted

      Thanks for your reassuring words Patsy. I probably won't go to the surgeon I saw, as my GP had refused to do anything so I had asked to see someone privately. I am not sure I can afford to pay for the op though. I suppose I will have to start from scratch on the NHS and hope that my hip does not collapse too soon. I have a copy of the xray taken with my Smart Phone by the surgeon, as I was incapable of doing it myself, and the hip looks like something has been chewing on it!!! 
  • steve86482
    steve86482 ptolemy

    Posted

    One reason I am glad to be in the USA. The wait was about 2 weeks from when the surgeon looked at my bone on bone X-Ray.
  • David06570
    David06570 ptolemy

    Posted

    First time round I was going to go NHS and it was around 3 months to wait....
  • renee01952
    renee01952 ptolemy

    Posted

    Hi ptolemy, 

    wow ... that is terrible ...

    If possible I would find another GP - 

    I live in Holland now and it wait is not as long as in the UK - 

    I am so sorry  you are in such pain - sending light and love and healing

    big warm hug

    renee

     

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy renee01952

      Posted

      I live in a village and we only have four GPs. They are all pretty bad!
    • renee01952
      renee01952 ptolemy

      Posted

      oh dear,   same here ... it is important though for post-op checks - I went back to the one I thought was the best after I emailed the group about my unhappiness -  apparenlty a "double" appointment (instead 0f 10 minutes, 20 minutes) was the secret .... 

      I lived in Los Angeles for 35 years and returned to Holland 2 years ago ... don't know the rules of the games here yet ...

      good luck darling 

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy renee01952

      Posted

      Thanks Renee. I did not realise that I needed GP back up I thought it would be a nurse and the hospital. You live and learn. 
    • renee01952
      renee01952 ptolemy

      Posted

      Well, this is in my experience. ...all follow up appointments like 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months etc are with surgeon. ..

      I saw gp a couple of times for pain or medication. .,also, since he referred me to surgeon, want him to order regular blood tests

    • renee01952
      renee01952 ptolemy

      Posted

      so sorry .. didn't mean to freak you out - the bloodtests are for my own peace of mind - I was/am lightheaded and had dizzyspells so asked for bloodtest to find out if I was anemic and other things - After all the heavy medication I wanted my liver and kidney checked as well - I am not a medical professional or anything - just wanted to know and will remind him - there are foreign objects in my body after all eek
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy renee01952

      Posted

      Thanks Renee, that sounds sensible. I am so impressed what can be seen from blood tests.
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