Interesting Information

elainebadknee

Hello

I spoke to my dad last night who is up in scotland seeing my sisters in Inverness/Culloden area. One of my sisters who is now 50 had a TKR at my age (41) and I think I have mentioned it before but she is a medical Sister and at the time was working at Dr Grays Elgin. Now at the time she was very friendly with the surgeon, she had more cortisone injections than she should have had and I felt for sure that this relationship with the surgeon had influenced the decision to have TKR as I am having huge problems finding a surgeon who is willing to put me out of my pain - so to speak.
She swears that she didnt pull any strings, that she had to go see another consultant at Raigmore Hospital and that it was his decision, he said she could have TKR, so she asked could the surgeon at Dr Grays do it, which he did. She also says that at the time there were quite a few people around this age havving this surgery.
I just get frustrated, why do I come up against the ones who are of the opinion, which she says can happen, that at my age its just inconceivable? I mean i have come across two now who are refusing me , I just live in hope that my second opinion brings me to come into contact with a surgeon who can understand that I need this usrgery.
Kinda wish I lived ip there, and that I could get my surgery done there.

Elaien

patriciamary

Hi elainebadknee. Believe me its not any easier up here in Scotland to get the surgery you require. Many years ago it was easier but not now. I think some "budget freak" realised that its cheaper to keep giving us painkillers than to do the surgery. The fact that we dont have a decent quality of life due to the pain is neither here nor there with them. I am 54, OA in both knees, both hands, right shoulder, back and its now attacking my ankles. Osteoporosis of left hip and in lumber region of my back. What do I get? Co-codomol, tramadol and calcium. Had 1 X-ray of hips and was told they both look the same! Well I find that odd considering 1 has OA the other has osteoporsis. I honestly think that we have to break bones by falling, car accident etc before anything will be done. Although I pray every day that "today will be the day" the docs wake up and decide that they really should help me.
Regards
Trisha

elainebadknee

Hi Trisha

Well no I wasnt suggesting it was, but the picture my sister paints in her area seems it could be slightly more favourable. She doesnt understand why I am having so much problems as she breezed into her operation literally with no hiccups whatsoever....
I think money is the silent issue we are not told about, I have lots more respect for someone if they are truthful though and if I was told that, hard as it may be, I would at least have an answer. Youre probably also right as in you would have to have a nasty fall and break a limb before they would be pro-active....
Silly world isnt it?

Elaine

patriciamary wrote:

Hi elainebadknee. Believe me its not any easier up here in Scotland to get the surgery you require. Many years ago it was easier but not now. I think some "budget freak" realised that its cheaper to keep giving us painkillers than to do the surgery. The fact that we dont have a decent quality of life due to the pain is neither here nor there with them. I am 54, OA in both knees, both hands, right shoulder, back and its now attacking my ankles. Osteoporosis of left hip and in lumber region of my back. What do I get? Co-codomol, tramadol and calcium. Had 1 X-ray of hips and was told they both look the same! Well I find that odd considering 1 has OA the other has osteoporsis. I honestly think that we have to break bones by falling, car accident etc before anything will be done. Although I pray every day that "today will be the day" the docs wake up and decide that they really should help me.
Regards
Trisha

woodbon

I don't have a clue how the Scottish system works, but I do know that the English system is very variable, when it comes to hospitals and that is to do with money and money management in certain trust hospitals. I think their are advantages to the Scottish system and I have a feeling that its to do with money. For instance, free prescriptions.

annebr

I think it is all down to region and cash, I live in scotland & belive it varies.

Sue, one slight correction we don't get free prescriptions. Unfortunatly we are still paying.

Anne

elainebadknee

Well yes it is a postcode lottery probably....And yes you do pay for prescriptions but its only about £4? aint it compared to our £7.25 per item and in Scotland they are phasing payment for prescriptions out too like the welsh..

Elaine

annebr wrote:

I think it is all down to region and cash, I live in scotland & belive it varies.

Sue, one slight correction we don't get free prescriptions. Unfortunatly we are still paying.

Anne

dorcas

Hi Elaine,
I think that decisions to operate really come down to the orthopeadic consultant that you see rather than where you live....although I haven't personally had difficulty having joint surgery....and yes I live in Scotland...mmm..so I'm rather proving your point! duh!.

Another 'element' is that some rheummy consultants see ops as a last resort rather than a treatment option and don't refer peeps for a surgical opinion soon enough.

I'm sorry you are not getting the help you need...have you thought of writing to the Health Council , Trust (or equivalent where you are) or the Minister for Health and ask whether in your area there are fewer THR/ TKR operations compared with other areas?

what does your doc say about it?

Irisx

marion1952

Hi Elaine

I think I recall from a previous post that you are waiting for an appointment at Wrightington Hospital. That hospital is a 'centre of excellence' for orthopaedics so I am sure they will give you good advice. I had my hip replacement done there in May and I can only say good things about my whole experience of the hospital - although the out-patients is quite busy so be prepared to be there a few hours!

Marion

woodbon

Hi,
I'm sorry, I thought prescriptions were free, but I've just remembered where I got the informaiton from. A person I worked with came from Scotlane and her sister had cancer and was able to obtain a drug that we can't have, as NICE either don't have any power or different rules in Scotland.
Sue

elainebadknee

Hi Iris

Yes they probably do, but why havent I come across one who has a different opinion other than "youre too young to have TKR?"......And maybe consultants do see surgery as a last resort but they sure as hell dont give any thought to the pain the patient is experiencing....

I wouldnt know what to do to write to health council, minister for health? Surely as the secretary of state thinks I should not qualify for ESA would that not be a losing battle....

elaine

dorcas wrote:

Hi Elaine,
I think that decisions to operate really come down to the orthopeadic consultant that you see rather than where you live....although I haven't personally had difficulty having joint surgery....and yes I live in Scotland...mmm..so I'm rather proving your point! duh!.

Another 'element' is that some rheummy consultants see ops as a last resort rather than a treatment option and don't refer peeps for a surgical opinion soon enough.

I'm sorry you are not getting the help you need...have you thought of writing to the Health Council , Trust (or equivalent where you are) or the Minister for Health and ask whether in your area there are fewer THR/ TKR operations compared with other areas?

what does your doc say about it?

Irisx

elainebadknee

Hi Marion

Hmm thats me yes (now im worried to i blab too much, lol).....Waiting for appointment at Wrightington...I dont mind waiting for app or out patients, just hope someone can help me or if they cant give me some advice, alternative remedies to ease my pain......

Feeling very groggy today as had co prox last night, feel hungover and aint touched a drop....And the lightweight hoover that I hate has launched itself at me....when you use the tools the pipe aint long enough and it falls over on you!!! So nursing a sore hand too...OW...

Elaine

marion1952 wrote:

Hi Elaine

I think I recall from a previous post that you are waiting for an appointment at Wrightington Hospital. That hospital is a 'centre of excellence' for orthopaedics so I am sure they will give you good advice. I had my hip replacement done there in May and I can only say good things about my whole experience of the hospital - although the out-patients is quite busy so be prepared to be there a few hours!

Marion