Referrals

Nomad

Hi, my name is Tim. I am very new to this site as I have only just found out about it. I just wanted to say that I suffer chronic and debilitating arthritis in both hips, more so now that in the past 15 months or so. I'm sure many of you are familiar with the daily struggles and with sleeping too coping the best you can. I wanted a word on referrals as I have now been to two referral examinations. The first time I was told bluntly that I was too fat and with a BMI over 40 the NHS would not help me. So, I lost some weight and was given a second referral. This time I was told I was too fat with a BMI of 37 and the NHS limit was now 35. The doctor was extremely rude and just said "your BMI is too high, the NHS won't help you" then shouted next for the next patient. So now I am left high and dry. By the way, I did serve 26 years in the Army but still cannot get any help from anywhere. Are we all in the same boat.

alwayssewing

Hello Tim. It must be frustrating to be told they won't do the operations yet. There was no need for rudeness from the doctor but unfortunately there are some with no basic manners.

I hope you are on good pain relief medication. Exercises specifically for arthritic hips do help with pain and you should be able to ask for an appointment to see a physiotherapist. There are exercises on you tube by versus arthritis for hips etc. You can also do some sitting on a chair. I had to do mine on my bed before my first hip replacement as I was a falls risk.

Weight loss can also help reduce some of the pain. Well done with losing so much already. Do you follow a diet plan ?

There are a few of us that have written diaries of our hip replacement journeys. You might find them helpful. @Janlyn , @Nurina , @Lilymary to name just a few.

Ellen

Good morning @Nomad Tim

Welcome to the online community. How very frustrating for you to lose quite a substantial amount of weight to find that the goalposts have been moved. Add to that being spoken to in such a manner.

Do have a read of some of these threads you will know you are most certainly NOT alone:

https://community.versusarthritis.org/search?domain=all_content&query=BMI%20hip&scope=site&source=community

At least one person here went down the private surgery route for her joint replacement due to NHS restrictions.

Losing weight when you are less mobile can be much more difficult I am going to add this information, even though it's likely you are doing most of what is contained in it. My apologies if this is the case:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/september/top-tips-to-manage-your-weight/

@alwayssewing has suggested to have a read of some of the fantastic threads/diaries written by people here. I think that is an excellent way to prepare yourself for future surgery.

My best wishes

Ellen.

250

Hi Tim,

Ask your GP to try and refer you to the "Veterans Service" at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt (RJAH) Hospital in Gobowen near Oswestry Shropshire, check their website out. Not a veteran myself but had my hip done there superb place and was with lots of veterans having hips / knees etc. They're well known for looking after veterans

Regards Mark.

frogmorton

That Dr is lucky you haven't made a complaint about what they said that was just rude!

The same information can be given much more kindly😠

If you wanted to do a weight loss diary here people have done it in the past you'd get some cheerleaders with us lot to support you.

i hope you'll let us know how you get on @Nomad

Toni