Posted , 13 users are following.
Just seen the consultant and yep confirmed I need TKR advised he can't push me any further up the NHS waiting list would need to wait my turn like everyone else approx 2 years! If I choose to self fund it can be done on May 9th! Looks like I have some serious thinking to do!
1 like, 45 replies
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sue37592 freestork
Posted
from physio to orthopaedic nurse then finally been told we cant do
anymore for you, you need to see an orthopaedic consultant. I saw him had an arthroscopy which didnt work consultant as told i needed a tkr but at
49 was too young.I was put on more painkillers and more and eventually morphine. I was told would be 12 to 18mths on NHS. My pain got worse lifewas unbearable and i could not cope with day to day living. This was now Feb 2016. My husband rang the consultant to see if could be moved up list/put on cancellation list told no.... he enquired about going private... certainly i can do the operation in 2 weeks!! He did say we would go ahead then told me what he had done. He coukd not bear to seeme suffer any more. Idid have the op early March 2016, really sucessful.
Unfortunately other knee now needs done but i will have to wait as cant afford a loan for other knee. Think long and hard, i am so glad i did it.
I know if i hadnt i may have not been here now, i thought of maybe taking another painkiller at times ascouldnt cope with all the pain.
Our NHS at times is awful, wait for 12-18mths or get it done privately in 2weeks. ..
iF you can afford to I woukd do it. Takecare and keep me posted what
you do. S
freestork sue37592
Posted
Thanks Sue nice to hear from you
Debs x
ellen57898 freestork
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How awful for you! Two years on painkillers waiting for a TKR? I thought my surgeon was backed up in U.S., because it was three months to find an opening that fit his and my schedules. Although my medical coverage was excellent, I was shocked when I received "this is not a bill" itemizing the hospital and surgeon. It was over $12000. How can people afford those kinds of medical costs? I really hope you can find a way to get moved up the list to a more reasonable date.
Best to you
Ellen
freestork ellen57898
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cc91807 sue37592
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denisek64 cc91807
Posted
chris00938 denisek64
Posted
I feel successive governments have let down th NHS and the people are suffering for it now. As you said - we've all paid into this all our lives, but people are dying here because the services aren't there for them! I wrote to my MP but she seems to feel that foreign aid is more important. I'm not going to begin to say how I feel about that.
davidjk22 freestork
Posted
I had similar problems 20 years ago , doctor , physio , accupuncture , arthroscopy none of which worked . I was told I was too young for replacment surgery . All changed when I told GP that I had private health care provided by my company . Refered to consultant and had knee replaced two weeks later Had left knee replaced 19½ years ago and the right 17½ years ago . Changed my life ,it was hard at first , lots of physio and 6 months off work each time . Now almost 20 years later I am really glad I had them done , no pain , good movement almost 140 bend and perfectly straight ., and on my last review 2 years ago xrays were fine and I was told no need for further reviews unless a problem develops . I recommend anyone to have the op if needed , it is hard work and painful at first , but worth it in the long run .
freestork davidjk22
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CHICO_MARX freestork
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Think about Synvisc injections while you wait. Worked for me a looooong time. Two varieties: 1. 3 injections within 14 days can last up to a year; or 2. one injection can last up to six months. Doesn't work for everyone but did for me.
cc91807 CHICO_MARX
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chris00938 freestork
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This waiting list time varies hugely in different hospitals. Can I suggest looking online at various places that you are able to choose from, to check on their waiting lists yourself? My hospital is quoting 3 - 4 weeks to see the surgeon and then 8 - 12 weeks for the op, for instance. That's in Derby. It's a bit of a trek for us, but worth it.
Michelle3101 freestork
Posted
I can totally relate to this, albeit I'm 10 years younger. I'm 11 wks post TKR and did as above, I'm in Cornwall I had a choice of hospitals (3 being smaller treatment centres) these had drastically reduced waiting times. After a failed anthroscopy/micro fracturing I was in to see my consultant 6 wk after referral, that was last October and had my OP beginning of Feb (I could have had it earlier but decided to go ahead with a Christmas family holiday) have a search around.
Good luck
Michelle
Linda_ann freestork
Posted
eileen15268 freestork
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Oh my goodness that IS a long wait, it's rediculas 2 years. I was told 18 weeks & it was , to the day. How will you manage I'm not sure but I think Tkr is 12-13 thousand.
chris00938 eileen15268
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eileen15268 chris00938
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Wow still a lot of cash, pity you're not on Bupa or something
freestork eileen15268
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Hi Eileen I've secured a bank loan to fund it gonna take 5 years to pay it off though
sue37592 freestork
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Hi Debs, been thinking about you and making the decision. Mine cost £1050 herein N.Ireland and then had outpatient consultation on top. I too will be paying it for 5 years but glad,so glad i did. xx
freestork sue37592
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Thanks Sue, am very anxious at the moment worrying about surgery and recovery know I need it doing and am glad it's being done but am really scared at moment can't sleep x
eileen15268 freestork
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Freestork, Its amazing that you have to do that , you don't say where in the UK you live but a 2 year wait is unbelievable, Well done for being able to secure a loan but I think it's dreadful you have to pay, the good thing is you'll get it over with & feel better once over recovery . I thought 18 weeks was a long time but my consultant did give me a massive cortisone injection meanwhile ,which really helped. I really wish you well & look forward to hearing @ your recovery .
eileen15268
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Freestork , Reading this forum looks scary but everyone has said, including me, the hospital staff are really caring & look after you well. I know @ the pain but they give you brilliant pain killers & also send you home with them. As you'll be private it may be good to see if you have to pay for extra medication. I found & still do find this forum very helpful as you can talk with folk who know & get reassurance & help. Keep strong
freestork eileen15268
Posted
Thank you Eileen. I'm on the Wirral. Was told 18 week wait for initial consultation from when I receive the first hospital letter, but already had letter from GP surgery to say no appointments available and wouldn't receive my 18 week letter until at least July so would be probably looking at October before I would have my first appointment. Then if they referred me for surgery would be looking at 18/24 months x
chris00938 freestork
Posted
Freestork, I know, although I wasn't actively worried about the surgery (I took the view that it wasn't my problem and I'd be pretty much unaware of it) and recovery, I was terribly stressed in weeks coming up to it, but couldn't get there fast enough, at the same time (as I guess you're feeling, otherwise you wouldn't be paying for it!). But I wish you a recovery like mine. Almost pain free, and exciting and positive. Not everyone has severe pain. After living with so much pain for so long, you're going to find there is a light at the end of the tunnel here, and you'll have a nice shiny new knee that will be strong and firm and work without pain! Look forward to that! They will look after you so well in hospital, and make sure someone looks after you well when you get home, and look after yourself too. Plan it so you've got lovely things to do each day, whether that's eating cake, watching films or reading something - whatever appeals to you. It's YOUR time, so make the best of the rest:-))))) As I said, I wish you a recovery just like mine, which was amazing!
freestork chris00938
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eileen15268 freestork
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Gosh that's way too long ,I don't know how they can justify that .& expect folk to live in constant pain, & would only get worse. It's great you are able to get it done though but awful you have to pay. I live in Hampshire , Surrey boarder & seems much better.
jenny80029 chris00938
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It's very true about the pain. .needs to be managed well but i did not find it as bad as expected. I knew when the pain relief was running out, but used TENS and ice and didn't even need to crack into the morphine they gave me at discharge.
freestork jenny80029
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chris00938 freestork
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That's the way to do it Freestork. I got the feeling some thought I was much too optimistic concentrating on being positive about the op and it worked for me:-)))))) I'm going in to the second one with the same attitude:-)))) I had one moment, just outside theatre thinking 'if you're going to do a runner, now is the time to do it' LOL! But decided I was staying:-)))) But it's utterly amazing the difference this can make to your life!!!!!
jenny80029 freestork
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I would do it again! Has taken me 7 weeks to think this, but my other knee will need doing at some point!😂😄😅😯😐😕😀