Waiting for hip replacement

Hi Lorna, the last time I rang was to the consultants secretary, who told me they would be in touch in the next couple of weeks. I will give it till Friday and ring again. We keep trying.

hi mishelle, I too am getting frustrated. I have prepared myself for the op and just feel let down as each week passes. I am now struggling with work. Hopefully I will get a date soon.

Hi Graham, the last pre op I had, I was there 3 hours. I just think to myself, what a waste of there time, my time and most of all money as I will have to do it all over again. Deffo ringing back Friday.

Stick with it mate, clearly makes a difference where you live! Postcode lottery. Will be worth it in the end though.

Thanks Graham👍

Hi Linda, thanks for the support. Don't get me wrong, I would never speak out of turn to anybody. We all have jobs to do. The secretary is only doing hers, like you say she will have people everyday badgering her for dates. It's soul destroying when the post man walks straight past and your desperate for a date. We will just have to live in hope. Maybe tomorrow as I say on a daily basis.

Hi Leslie, not sure where you are - I'm in Mississauga ON.  I'm not sure if this is standard but I was finally properly diagnosed with severe OA mid-Feb this year, saw the surgeon March 23rd, had cortisone to understand what the effect would be within 2 weeks and had RTHR May 9th.  The LTHR will be August 19th.  Diagnosis to both surgeries complete in 6 months.  Overall I have a lot to complain about prior to diagnosis but afterwords I don't think I could possibly expect better.  Sorry it took you so long!

Thanks Leslie, makes mine sound like a walk in the park compared to your wait. Hope all is going well now for you.

Hello to all.  First post on this forum.  I'm also in Canada. Specifically the Interior of BC.  I was diagnosed with severe OA in my right hip in June of 2015.  I was referred to a surgeon and waited until January of 2016 before getting an appointment to see him.  I was put on a surgical waiting list on January 23, 2016 and was told it would be 14 to 16 months before I would get my THR.  I suspect I'll be in a wheelchair by that time.  Love that we have free health care in Canada but these wait times are inhuman.

So sorry to hear it. I guess I got really lucky but I'm pretty sure Ontario isn't as bad. Make sure you're on every cancellation list. I was on more than one surgeon's waiting list and it paid off. I sincerely hope things move up for you. I know how debilitating it is. I could barely walk and was going to have to stop driving as the pain when changing from the brake to the gas was too much and I was feeling that I could be putting people in danger. The good news is after the first THR the overall pain is nothing in comparison. One to go!

Take care,

Fiona

I'm in Victoria, BC, Fiona.  I've heard we have some of the longest waiting lists here.  I think maybe partly because of the older population in Victoria (lots of people retire here) or if it's the gov't putting fewer dollars into health care.   Your waits sounds much more reasonable.   Good luck with your August surgery.  So that will be just over 3 months after your first one.  Do you feel ready for it?  Strong enough?   I really admire all you double hipsters.  It's a lot to go through for sure.  Thanks!

Hi Nige.  Yes, I'm thrilled with my surgery.  Way less pain that I anticipated.  I am 5.5 weeks post-op now.  I can walk for half an hour with no pain.  It's just amazing.  Good luck to you -- I would keep calling them until you get a date. The squeaky hip gets the surgery......or something like that......   Leslie

Hi jolly -- I'm in Victoria.  The wait lists are crazy and I think in humane.  In the 10 months that I waited (and I was in pain for at least a year before that), I felt like my health declined.  I could hardly move so put on weight.  Often felt depressed.  it's really quite horrible to go through.   A good friend of mine just got on the list and she was told14-18 mos.  She has such a limp and is in such pain.  Just awful.      Glad you've found this forum though.  You'll learn lots.  And I must say that I was totally pleased with my surgery and I've been pleased with the after care -- Physio etc (except for this bad reaction I had to the dressing but that's a whole nother story!).  Best of luck to you.  Hugs, Leslie 

Leslie, I grew up in Victoria and still consider it home. I'm in Penticton now where, like Victoria, there is a high population of elderly people which is one factor for the long wait times. Your story sounds so much like mine. I suffered from pain in my hip for a year before I saw my doctor ... and in the year since then my condition has progressed to the point that every step is agony and standing without leaning against something is impossible. It's is affecting every aspect of my life both physically and emotionally. Thankfully I have a very supportive and helpful husband who reminds me often that there will be a day when this is all behind me and I can get back to living life. I'm staying positive but some days are harder than others.

Hi Leslie, that's really too bad. I live in an area with a lot of seniors as well but because I kept my Dr in Mississauga I was able to get myself on lists in both cities and Mississauga worked out to be faster.

Yes, I feel ready. I can't say I'm looking forward to the first couple of weeks - I know too much now, but I know it's my way back to 'normal '.

By the way, I very easily got on the other list by going to our local walk-in clinic with my xray results in hand and asked for a referral. I was going to do anything I could think of to get the best possible date as the pain was outrageous as I'm sure you know. After the first one the pain level went way way down!

Good luck to you ,

Fiona

Unfortunately, in British Columbia, you're only allowed to be on one wait list at a time and when I asked the surgeon about a cancellation list, I was told if there is a cancellation, the next person on the list is called and so on, until someone takes the spot.  In other words, there is no formal cancellation list. 

I'm staying focused on the light at the end of the tunnel though and trying to stay positive.  I'm already nearly 8 months into my 14 to 16 month wait.  

 

 

Good for you for trying to stay positive.  It's sure not easy.  Constant pain can just wear you down.  Exhausting and depressing.  I'm glad your husband is supportive.  That must be very helpful.  Are there some things you like to do that don't hurt?  Biking (really hurt my hip)?  Water activities(we're sort of OK for me but not great)?   I'm sure this forum will help -- I wish I'd found it sometime last year!  Big hugs to you.  Leslie 

It is so nice the end is in sight for you, Fiona.  Your pain sounds awful.  I was lucky I was able to drive anyway.         I must say I really didn't find the pain too awful those first couple weeks.  I took my pain meds regularly.  It was mostly that I just couldn't move very well.  Had to have someone help me raise that surgical leg, etc.  But I don't think there was much pain.   Anyway, exciting that it's not too much longer for you!  Hugs,  Leslie

Thanks Leslie. Yes, I can't believe the end's in sight. The recovery will possibly be easier with the 2nd one as I have 1 good leg now! Today's a great day as the humidity finally broke. Have to figure out what to get done. All the best for your continued recovery!