The £11million Man

elainebadknee

Hey All

Have you all read about the 50 year old man who won the lottery, total sum of approx £11million. He had had a car accident in 1995 and hurt his knee. Since then he has been unable to work as in his area (Cheadle Heath, Manchester) told him the average is 55. He now of course can afford to get his TKR done now a he is loaded.

Now i know i keep rabbitting on about my situation, how im only 41 and being refused TKR (but you know if you get sick of my posts, etc then simply dont reply to them...simple as).........But it really sickens me that if youre in a lot of pain and life is really restrictive the consultants simply refuse to see that and believe you and me there are a lot more in the ratio being refused than being allowed a quality of life back.....I just dont get it? Well, I mean i can see that a joint has a shelf life, but what about chain smokers who damage their lungs, people who drink and damage their liver??? I shouldnt really say it but the likes of George Best and Alex Higgins ( im pretty sure they wouldnt have been NHS patients) but Best got a new liver and what did he do with it? The answer was basically waste a precius organ donated......Who says what shelf we as indiviuduals have? We never know when our number is up, so we should be entitled to treatment to make life better if possible.....
I know Ive gone on but until someone knows what its like then they have no idea how disheartening it is.....Im getting looked after to a certain extent now but folks and they are 78 and 80, and i know it should be other way around.......Its just wrong and i know life often aint fair but it doesnt seem right how we dont abuse bodies, get arfur, but cant get treatment......???

Elaine x :roll:

barbara12

Hi Elaine
I totally agree with you, when someone is in so much pain, how can anyone say , sorry you have to wait till you are a certain age.
That person wants there life back, they dont care if they will have to have another op in the future, today is what matters, and being pain free.
I have seen so many post on here , saying they wont do the op I am to young, and then you hear of 20 year olds having THR and TKR, I often wonder if it is money saving, and not in the patents interest.
Hope you having a goodish day
Barbara x

lindalegs

Hi Elaine,

I had both my knees replaced when I was 41 so it does depend on your surgeon and also how much they're affecting your life. I had got to the point where I didn't want to go on and as mine were both shot they did them at the same time.

People do have joint replacements at all ages but there is nothing like your 'own' knee and once they've been replaced there is no going back. What if it was done and things went wrong then the younger you are that's a whole lot of life in front of you with a defective joint.

I do know someone who has had his elbow replaced and unfortunately he has an infection in it so bad that they've had to take the replacement out and leave his arm in plaster without any joint at all ....imagine if that was the leg :shock: :shock: :shock: I'm sorry for relating such a negative story as normally I like to wear my Pollyanna hat :oops: :oops:

That's not to put you off having it done. Mine knees were a great sucess and I don't regret having them replaced as it gave me a new lease of life but I do understand why surgeons make you wait for as long as possible.

Luv Legs

elainebadknee

Hi Barbara

Not having a great day, dog tired as didnt sleep till 3am last night....Went into town briefly and couldnt get parked in disabed bays so had to walk 100metres further, not a lot you think but had to sit down for half an hour on way back to car watching people park in disabled bays stuffing their necks with McDonalds????
You know i respect honesty and even if someone is blunt and tells me the decision is based on money I can at least digest that rather than a no but no decision....Im sure all these NHS cuts count too.....Annoying aint it...

Hope your having a good weekend...

Elainex

barbara12 wrote:

Hi Elaine
I totally agree with you, when someone is in so much pain, how can anyone say , sorry you have to wait till you are a certain age.
That person wants there life back, they dont care if they will have to have another op in the future, today is what matters, and being pain free.
I have seen so many post on here , saying they wont do the op I am to young, and then you hear of 20 year olds having THR and TKR, I often wonder if it is money saving, and not in the patents interest.
Hope you having a goodish day
Barbara x

robertls

Its simply down to money..........

There isn't enough to go around........

And someone has to make a judgement on who gets what little there is, spent on them.....

Who's right.....and who's wrong.......???????? I've no idea.......

Life ain't fair.......is it???

Rob x

elainebadknee

Hi Linda

Wel I can see your points and im not naive in knowing that no procedure is guaranteed to be 100%. I know its also not like having your own knee back but i dont think a lot of patients expect that anyway.
Life in all walks of life is a gamble...career, home, partners etc....The point is being entitled to being given the option or all measures of pain relief before you have surgery, then go onto have a new joint.....Its also sods law in a way if you get an infection, comlications, no two people are the same and can react reflectively.
Everyone should have the choice or options, or as i said better services......It shouldnt be a postcode lottery........

Elainex

lindalegs wrote:

Hi Elaine,

I had both my knees replaced when I was 41 so it does depend on your surgeon and also how much they're affecting your life. I had got to the point where I didn't want to go on and as mine were both shot they did them at the same time.

People do have joint replacements at all ages but there is nothing like your 'own' knee and once they've been replaced there is no going back. What if it was done and things went wrong then the younger you are that's a whole lot of life in front of you with a defective joint.

I do know someone who has had his elbow replaced and unfortunately he has an infection in it so bad that they've had to take the replacement out and leave his arm in plaster without any joint at all ....imagine if that was the leg :shock: :shock: :shock: I'm sorry for relating such a negative story as normally I like to wear my Pollyanna hat :oops: :oops:

That's not to put you off having it done. Mine knees were a great sucess and I don't regret having them replaced as it gave me a new lease of life but I do understand why surgeons make you wait for as long as possible.

Luv Legs

elainebadknee

Hi Babycham

Well your idea is certainly a thought but im too honest to go down that route and too skint to enter the private world....

Elaine

babycham wrote:

Hi Elaine I am sorry to it is hard sometimes to watch people fritter money and opotunnities its sadly just the way of the world If I was at the stage of completely unmanagable pain as some are and it was the only way I would have the op privately and then only if the op was a complete sucess I would pay what I could and then offer so much a week if they wanted the money up front I would bounce the cheque or consider private consultation and that way you might get a national health referral sometimes drastic action is the only way L/Babychamxxx

elnafinn

Even if you are willing to pay not all consultants will rush to take your money. They still say wait until it is unbearable, for the reasons, that things can go wrong and you may well be worse off, unbelievable as that may sound, when you are in constant pain and hobbling around and also the new joint is not as good as the "original" and will wear out. According to the specialists should you need more replacements in the future in the same area the outcome is never as good as the first one. I have had two replacements, like Legs and luckily for us they were successful. I always touch wood, when I say that.

If consultants gave the choice to everyone, whatever their age, circumstances etc, it would be very expensive. There have to be some rules and after all it is the consultants that do the operations and have to take the flack when all is not well afterwards. If they do not wish to operate we cannot make them. I am sure if you shop around you can find a surgeon who will operate but you may well have to travel further than you wish which makes it all that more complicated.

Luv
Elna x

elainebadknee

Hi Rob

Well we all suspect thats the reason of course but nobody i know has been told that yet......
Re whats spent where and how, stop CEO's of failing companies getting bonuses bigger than their inflated salary, reduce intake of immigrants claiming for children still living in home countries, put a cap on how many come in.........The NHS shouldnt be whacked in my view...

Elaine

robertls wrote:

Its simply down to money..........

There isn't enough to go around........

And someone has to make a judgement on who gets what little there is, spent on them.....

Who's right.....and who's wrong.......???????? I've no idea.......

Life ain't fair.......is it???

Rob x

lindalegs

elainebadknee wrote:

Hi Linda

Wel I can see your points and im not naive in knowing that no procedure is guaranteed to be 100%. I know its also not like having your own knee back but i dont think a lot of patients expect that anyway.
Life in all walks of life is a gamble...career, home, partners etc....The point is being entitled to being given the option or all measures of pain relief before you have surgery, then go onto have a new joint.....Its also sods law in a way if you get an infection, comlications, no two people are the same and can react reflectively.
Everyone should have the choice or options, or as i said better services......It shouldnt be a postcode lottery........

Elainex

Do you think you're being refused joint replacement then because of where you live?

If you're absolutely sure you want a TKR why don't you ask for a second opinion, at least that way they'll know how serious you are?

Luv Legs

elainebadknee

Hi Elna

Well when my dad was in for his TKR the reason for op is pain as one man in bed next to him simply thught it was a good idea to get it done as his wife had hers done. When he admitted he had no pain he was rightly sent home....
Of course a new joint is never the same as your own one, its simply meant as a substitute and how you recover/react is a gamble in some respects......

Elaine

elnafinn wrote:

Even if you are willing to pay not all consultants will rush to take your money. They still say wait until it is unbearable, for the reasons, that things can go wrong and you may well be worse off, unbelievable as that may sound, when you are in constant pain and boggling around and also the new joint is not as good as the "original" and will wear out. According to the specialists should you need more replacements in the future in the same area the outcome is never as good as the first one. I have had two replacements, like Legs and luckily for us they were successful. I always touch wood, when I say that.

Luv
Elna x

elainebadknee

Hi Linda

I cannot be sure that my area is the main factor but i have been told by 2 surgeons they refuse to consider people same age as me.....I think money is the underlying factor too but cant prove it....Im getting a 2nd opinion too at Wrightington, I live in Kendal...

Elainex

lindalegs wrote:

elainebadknee wrote:

Hi Linda

Wel I can see your points and im not naive in knowing that no procedure is guaranteed to be 100%. I know its also not like having your own knee back but i dont think a lot of patients expect that anyway.
Life in all walks of life is a gamble...career, home, partners etc....The point is being entitled to being given the option or all measures of pain relief before you have surgery, then go onto have a new joint.....Its also sods law in a way if you get an infection, comlications, no two people are the same and can react reflectively.
Everyone should have the choice or options, or as i said better services......It shouldnt be a postcode lottery........

Elainex

Do you think you're being refused joint replacement then because of where you live?

If you're absolutely sure you want a TKR why don't you ask for a second opinion, at least that way they'll know how serious you are?

Luv Legs

lindalegs

elainebadknee wrote:

Hi Linda

I cannot be sure that my area is the main factor but i have been told by 2 surgeons they refuse to consider people same age as me.....I think money is the underlying factor too but cant prove it....Im getting a 2nd opinion too at Wrightington, I live in Kendal...

Why don't you take some proof from here and from the Internet about the ages of people when they had joint replacements, that will be proof that people do have the op at all ages and will give you good grounding to go on?

If you put a thread on the Young People's Forum asking their ages then you could print it off.

You could also do a search and look up old threads on the subject to help too.

I'm glad you're seeing another surgeon, they might be more sympathetic.

Luv Legs

elainebadknee

Well yes good pointers thanks and I will take what ive seen on net printed out.....
Will search young people's forum too but maybe think at 41 im not classed as young...Its weird I aint young, aint old but aint suitable....

Elaine

lindalegs wrote:

elainebadknee wrote:

Hi Linda

I cannot be sure that my area is the main factor but i have been told by 2 surgeons they refuse to consider people same age as me.....I think money is the underlying factor too but cant prove it....Im getting a 2nd opinion too at Wrightington, I live in Kendal...

Why don't you take some proof from here and from the Internet about the ages of people when they had joint replacements, that will be proof that people do have the op at all ages and will give you good grounding to go on?

If you put a thread on the Young People's Forum asking their ages then you could print it off.

You could also do a search and look up old threads on the subject to help too.

I'm glad you're seeing another surgeon, they might be more sympathetic.

Luv Legs

barbara12

Hi Elaine
Im sorry you had a bad day, and night come to that, I have everything crossed for you, that Wrightinton come up trumps .
Love
Barbaraxx.

speedalong

Hi Elaine, these stories don't help do they? As they say, "life ain't fair" and it doesn't help when you are constantly being reminded of that fact. Focus on the fact that you have an imminent appointment and try and relax - stress doesn't help pain one bit.

Speedy

elainebadknee

Hi Speedy

Well it dont stress me just it seems the rules on new joint replacement seems so rigid unless you can pay yourself....Also chips away a tad of optimism that I have for my imminent app too as they seem to not treat as individuals.....

Elainex

speedalong wrote:

Hi Elaine, these stories don't help do they? As they say, "life ain't fair" and it doesn't help when you are constantly being reminded of that fact. Focus on the fact that you have an imminent appointment and try and relax - stress doesn't help pain one bit.

Speedy

elainebadknee

HI Barbara

Day one back in own bed....Man with generator, sledgehammer and all sorts of mechanical stuff is like Bob The Builder on speed just within my bedroom window....he is thumping away too and that can be heard in all of our semi bungalow....GRR!!!
Im hoping too for wrightington but not too much.......

Elainex

barbara12 wrote:

Hi Elaine
Im sorry you had a bad day, and night come to that, I have everything crossed for you, that Wrightinton come up trumps .
Love
Barbaraxx.

lavenderlady

hi Elaine, I'm 49 and have an op date of 27th Septemeber with op on 28th ( am diabetic so need to go in day before as am first down for op ) every single Dr seen has commented on my age being too young for anything serious being done, BUT luckly for me my surgeon refered me to see the top surgeon locally who is one of a few who do TWR , even the cardiologist i saw last week commented on my young age to have so many problems, I was also told that I'm am the exception as my wrist has been getting worse since i was around 36 to 38 and it looks nasty as well as being bloody painful, which arthritis is ,
my surgeon said the reason some dont get a TWR is that they dont know yet how long it will last as its relativley new, but knee ops are common now a days but they take the view they wont last you and it will need redoing which if done more then once is supposed to deteriate, same with my wrist if it fails might need it fusing after all that becasue to replace the joint is not going to have the same effect, good luck, Michelle

elainebadknee

Well yes thanks and will bore everyone with detials of how i got on.....
Hopes are slightly up for Wrightington but not too much in case get knocked back....Re strain on other joints, I feel my hip hurting when i try to walk sometimes so yes that is a factor.....

Elaine

babycham wrote:

Hi Elaine Good luck with wrightinton maybe third time lucky and they will realise that you are in a lot of pain and need it doing NOW.....not sometime never what about the strain on other joints? ask them ? Lets us know L/Babychamxxx

elainebadknee

Hi Michelle

May I first of all ask what a TWR is? Often seen it and not sure what it is, is it an elbow (wing)?
I do know a bit about the age card in other decisions too as I decided to have a procedure done and it was my own decision (wont say what it was) but if i got it done i knew it was irreversibile....Before the doc did the op he asked me was I 100% sure, I said no, I was 150% sure......
When i say I know all the risks, I know as much as anyone pre op, of course Im not prepared as much as someone post op can be...I saw my dad last year and he had lost tons of blood, they nearly lost him and he was violently sick, after discharge he found out how much blood he had lost but doc never passed onto GP, he was as weak as a kitten for 3 weeks and deeply regretted his surgery....My knee at this time was okay and I swore after seeing him I woulldnt put myself through that, now cos of the pain im in I feel I need to give myself my life back. Ive had this since age of 18-19 so I think my bodys done wells so far....

Elainex

lavenderlady wrote:

hi Elaine, I'm 49 and have an op date of 27th Septemeber with op on 28th ( am diabetic so need to go in day before as am first down for op ) every single Dr seen has commented on my age being too young for anything serious being done, BUT luckly for me my surgeon refered me to see the top surgeon locally who is one of a few who do TWR , even the cardiologist i saw last week commented on my young age to have so many problems, I was also told that I'm am the exception as my wrist has been getting worse since i was around 36 to 38 and it looks nasty as well as being bloody painful, which arthritis is ,
my surgeon said the reason some dont get a TWR is that they dont know yet how long it will last as its relativley new, but knee ops are common now a days but they take the view they wont last you and it will need redoing which if done more then once is supposed to deteriate, same with my wrist if it fails might need it fusing after all that becasue to replace the joint is not going to have the same effect, good luck, Michelle

lindalegs

Just to butt in

TWR Total Wrist Replacement
THR Total Hip Replacement
TKR Total Knee Replacement
TER Total Elbow Replacement

TBR Total Body Transplant...... perhaps

Luv Legs

elainebadknee

Hi Legs

Well no butt in all you want, i didnt know all the terms so now i know more than i did yesterday...

:-)
Elainex

lindalegs wrote:

Just to butt in

TWR Total Wrist Replacement
THR Total Hip Replacement
TKR Total Knee Replacement
TER Total Elbow Replacement

TBR Total Body Transplant...... perhaps

Luv Legs

ikesother

Hi, Sorry to hear youre not getting anywhere with your consultant :roll: This seems to be a common factor in some health authorities. I had a THR last year at the age of 42. It was offered to me in 2006 when i was 39, but i declined, however it got so bad I was glad to have the op, and as luck would have it it was successful. I went for a second opinion to another, bigger hospital, who did eventually did the op. Have you thought of going elsewhere, if you can travel? My consultant does alot of cases from outside the local health authority, there was aman from Wales in having a very complex op, who had been refused in 4 other hospitals. Ive found to my advantage not to take the first answer! Good luck jk

elainebadknee

HI JK

Well yes it does seem to depend on lots of factors from where you live to who you know....My sister, a nurse, got hers done at exactly same age as I am now but she knew orthapedic surgeon...She also swears she didnt pull any strings but I cant see how she didnt myself...She lives in Highlands btw...
I am going to wrightington for 2nd opinion but disheartening things is the surgeon who last refused me in July told me that "most surgeons would be of the same opinion as himself", in other words forget it love, youre wasting your time....

Elainex

ikesother wrote:

Hi, Sorry to hear youre not getting anywhere with your consultant :roll: This seems to be a common factor in some health authorities. I had a THR last year at the age of 42. It was offered to me in 2006 when i was 39, but i declined, however it got so bad I was glad to have the op, and as luck would have it it was successful. I went for a second opinion to another, bigger hospital, who did eventually did the op. Have you thought of going elsewhere, if you can travel? My consultant does alot of cases from outside the local health authority, there was aman from Wales in having a very complex op, who had been refused in 4 other hospitals. Ive found to my advantage not to take the first answer! Good luck jk

elainebadknee

Just to inform Legs

Have posted on Young People's Forum yesterday morning...So far 47 people have looked, one reply to say she hadnt had it done but knew lots ages of 20+ had...Also posted same message on another arthritis website, 65 lookers, not one reply.......................


Elainex

lindalegs wrote:

elainebadknee wrote:

Hi Linda

I cannot be sure that my area is the main factor but i have been told by 2 surgeons they refuse to consider people same age as me.....I think money is the underlying factor too but cant prove it....Im getting a 2nd opinion too at Wrightington, I live in Kendal...

Why don't you take some proof from here and from the Internet about the ages of people when they had joint replacements, that will be proof that people do have the op at all ages and will give you good grounding to go on?

If you put a thread on the Young People's Forum asking their ages then you could print it off.

You could also do a search and look up old threads on the subject to help too.

I'm glad you're seeing another surgeon, they might be more sympathetic.

Luv Legs