A bit of a vent…..

lynnyh

Please scroll on if you can’t face a long(ish) read! Apologies in advance but I need to offload. I have severe OA right hip and am currently waiting on a total hip replacement. However……. this all began in 2020 when the pain in my hip started to become a problem. I spoke to my GP….. almost impossible to get face to face during and even after covid. He diagnosed me without an examination as having trochanteric pain syndrome/bursitis and advised exercise and over the counter pain meds such as ibuprofen. Nothing worked. In desperation I spoke again. He was very unempathic and reluctant for me to be seen or referred. I have since changed my GP within the same surgery. I asked about an ultrasound guided steroid injection. Again, not keen. Having tried physio and jumping through all the NHS hoops in absolute desperation I made an appointment to see an orthopaedic specialist privately as a one off. Best decision I could have made. He examined me and straight away diagnosed OA right hip. I cried with relief. He recommended an X-ray asap and wrote a letter to my GP. Finally I was taken seriously. X Ray a few months later showed severe OA. After several months I had two guided steroid injections (after waiting to have these done in my GP surgery, even though I told receptionist it needed to be done under ultrasound she was adamant they could do it there). Neither really worked, although the second one was into the joint and did give a bit of relief after a steroid flare. The radiologist who performed the injection into the hip joint was utterly gobsmacked that I wasn’t under an orthopaedic team and suggested I contact my GP and request a referral. My GP referred me to a muscular skeletal triage physio (despite my telling him I’d already been seen by physio!). I received a letter straight back from them without being seen saying they’d referred me to orthopaedic surgeon and where would I like to be seen? Couple of months later saw orthopaedic consultant who put me forward for total hip replacement. This whole journey has taken three painful years. Then my CCG declined funding until I lost 10% of my total body weight saying my referral will be kept open for 9 months. I’ve had to give up my part time role as a support worker (I’m a retired nurse) because I can’t manage physically any more. I’ve almost lost the weight…. 6 lbs to go…. It’s up to me to contact the hospital when I’ve done it. No one officially said that, but I asked my GP. There must be loads of people who are either so low they can’t lose the weight, or if they do are waiting to be contacted? The cynical part of me thinks this is cost cutting by the NHS to get people off waiting lists? Plus I’ve done some research and this weight loss rule appears to be different depending on what area you’re in? This can’t be fair surely? Please forgive the length of this post but I just needed to put it all down. I’m heartened by the fabulous posts on here though, and the positive outcomes of hip replacement that people have had. I’m just desperate to get my life back. Thanks for reading.

Naomi33

Sorry to hear @lynnyh

My heart goes out to you ❤

I have heard so many horror stories and do agree with you /we have to fight for everything which is hard and frustrating !!

Onwards and upwards

Take care @Naomi33

lynnyh

I feel so guilty for moaning. I know this is fixable, and so many others aren’t.

Naomi33

Well you should not feel guilty !

You need to to vent and this is the place to do it.

Take care @Naomi33