Op cancelled yet again

Posted , 7 users are following.

Been told by the Glos hospital trust that all ops have been cancelled u til further notice.  This is the second time op has been cancelled and whilst waiting I have developed acute pain in the other hip and in both knees.  Am feeling very depressed.  Does anyone if you kind people out there have any advice? Loulou

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Posted

    This is probably down to the strike!  All non emergency ops have been cancelled at several hospitals and this is probably going to cause  backlash!  

    Really feel for you.  In another response, I have suggested that a hypnosis CD that is directed at chronic pain may help.  I found one on Amazon that helps with sleep deprivation due to pain.  This one is by Mark Bowden, but there are other tapes, as well.  Cost is about £10.00 with free delivery if ordered within a certain time period.  I took a course in Hypnotherapy several years ago, and it ncluded hypnosis for pain relief.  It is worth looking at and considering, I think.  

    Search would be:  "CD Pain Relief."  There are CDs that specifically target OA, but pain is pain!

    Hope this is of assistance.

     

    • Posted

      Thank you Susie.  Will try this and see if it helps.  Surgery onEurope  is an option though the big problemis one of aftercare!  Has anyone tried this!
  • Posted

    Hilltop - heart completely going out to you. I only had my op cancelled once and that was enough - I remember being so upset. So for this to happen twice must be deeply stressful for you. I am so sorry. I did see on the news that we are discouraged to go to the hospital to all but emergencies (I also live in Gloucestershire) so clearly there is a problem....the only thing I can advise is to get on top of your pain relief with your GP, you may not be able to have your op at the moment , but there is lots that can be done with your meds to keep you comfortable. Keep yourself busy and try and do strengthening exercises ( within the limits of what you can do) your upper arms will help with the crutches, stretching and keeping yourself as strong as possible. Hopefully you will soon have a date - fingers crossed
    • Posted

      Have kept going back for twelve months now.  Opioids work but affect my eyesight so they are out.  My experience us that my practice aren't too up on pain relief.  They prescribe  Ibropfufen, paracetemol, codeine etc which lessens the pain but not the nerve pain which accompanies it. Oh dear!
    • Posted

      Can you try morphine patches? Butran. Or do they affect your vision too? These worked so well for me. It is difficult getting the right pain relief, maybe there will be other suggestions or start a new thread....you can go to your dr with a list.
  • Posted

    Oh noooo, Loulou - that is terrible news - when was your surgery date? what is the reason they cancelled ?   

    I wish I had good advice how to handle your pain, darling - At some point it seems that nothing is helping anymore - 

    Wishing you a lot of strength, love and healing -

    Angel blessings and 

    big warm hug

    renee

    please come back here anytime -

    I am sure someone here has a great advice 

     

  • Posted

    Oh hun, i guess its. Due to these incredible strikes the doctors think they need, not thinking about patients needs.  I really hope you get a date really soon. Can you get to talk to your doctor to see if they can give you stronger pain killers 

    suexx

  • Posted

    Hi Hilltop:

    I did put a call through to Glos Hospital and asked why elective surgery, such as THRs are being cancelled.  The response, was bed blocking.  They say they are reviewing the situation.  If I was in your position, I think I would make sure which department in the hospital I needed to be put through to, because more often than not, an operator will put you through to the ward.  They rarely pickp up their phones, because they are too busy, and if you should be answered, they generally will not give a response.  

    We hate to make ourselves "nuisances," but you simply have to keep plugging away at it, once you have identified the administrative office you need to be "bugging!"

    • Posted

      Thanks Suzie I think I am known already because I complained to PALs about my long (9 months)wait and then things started moving and I was given an op date for it only to be cancelled.  Hiwever Admissions seem to be the first line of contact,or, perhaps, his secretary.  No one seems to care!!
    • Posted

      I am particularly interested in the Gloucester hospitals because of a situation that arose with my daughter's father.

      Are there any private clinics near you, that take NHS patients?  I am going to a private clinic as an NHS patient for an assessment.  Consultant has a very good reputation, but I am at the beginning stages, still.  Reason I ask, is that in situations where there are NHS beds that are being blocked, the clinics will very often step in, but you can ask to be referred to a private clinic.  My initial appointment with another consultant was cancelled after Christmas, and I immediately phone the referral service and obtained another appointment with a different consultant, the one I preferred, actually, at the same clinic.  

      How long have you now been waiting for this op?  I called the consultatn's secretary at the private clinic, and she assured me that they do adhere to the 18 week deadline.  In your case, it sounds as though you need an immediate result.  

      I would make myself a big nuisance on all fronts.  Not very British, but necessary, these days, I'm afraid!   

    • Posted

      Hello Suzie - Thete was a problem in diagnosis 14 months ago when the consultant wasn't sure if pain was from bursitis or neurogical as hip wasn't quite bone to bone.  I haven't much faith in this Consultant and anymore.  How do I make a personal referral?  Very grateful fir any help you can give me - Regards Lou Lou 
    • Posted

      Hi Lou Lou:

      How were you referred to this consultant in the first instance?  The surgeon that I am seeing was a "fluke" as I ran into a couple in a supermarket.  She was on crutches, and I was hobbling on my stick.  We looked at each other and grinned!  Conversation started, and she mentioned her surgeon and gave a glowing recommendation.  That's my story.  

      Before the event that I have described above, I located the hospitals and clinics around my area, and then went onto their website.  Once there, I think went through to orthopaedics, and from there to hip surgery.  This will give you a list of surgeons, and you can check how many of these operations they have performed.  There are also photographs of the surgeons.  You can also do a check with the BMA, and there is another professional body, but I cannot quite remember what it is.  I will try to find it for you.

      The best way, is through talking to other people in your area who have had this surgery.   It is surprising how many have.  One thing I have found is that when I am in the supermarket, and run into someone on a stick or crutches, I will try to catch their eye.  If they do not respond, I keep going.  If there is a response, I ask if they have had, or are going to have hip surgery.  Usually, if they are a fellow "Hippie" you will get a positive response and the information you want.  Takes a certain amount of courage to approach a stranger, but if you do pick up responsive vibes, I would go for it.

      The other thing is very often the people I run into on a daily basis know somebody who has had the surgery, and will give feedback.

      Re: crutches - those are the people to approach, because they have obviously had something done, and if there is no plaster of paris in evidence, it is probably a hip or knee patient!

      Another way of doing it would be to do a Google search on "orthpaedics, total hip replacement" in your area.  I haven't tried that, but it should produce something that you can investigate.  

      Where in the country are you?

      Best regards,

      Susie

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