Dilemma!!!!

suepollard

Hi all, Well ive had a full examination now, and the results are that I have generalised OA, and could possible develop RA in the future as some blood tests were high, but not significant to say that it is RA, I have dry eyes, mouth and high R.Factor but the doc isnt commiting to anything at the moment. So its definatley OA, at least ive got a diagnosis, and dont feel like I was trying to justify my illness to people. Our dilemma is that my husband David also has OA, and has been on the waiting list for 4 months for a hip replacement, he was having it done by a top surgeon and felt comfortable to wait until he was admitted, only today he got a phone call from the nurse asking him if he wanted it doing in a private hospital,paid for by the NHS but they said it wouldnt be the same surgeon and they wouldnt know who it would be. His dilemma is that he doesnt know anything about the surgeon he will be seeing, whereas he feels comfortable with the surgeon at the NHS. Now he doesnt know what to do, and said he will sleep on it, and all this has come about because the the statistics are bad for our health authority in regards to waiting times, he has waited a while as the average is 3 months here in my local area. He knows he will be a nice room etc if he takes the offer up, but he knows the other surgeon is good and is the top banana when it comes to surgery. if anyone can help with our decision then please let me know, many thanks, sue

scottie

suepollard wrote:

Hi all, Well ive had a full examination now, and the results are that I have generalised OA, and could possible develop RA in the future as some blood tests were high, but not significant to say that it is RA, I have dry eyes, mouth and high R.Factor but the doc isnt commiting to anything at the moment. So its definatley OA, at least ive got a diagnosis, and dont feel like I was trying to justify my illness to people. Our dilemma is that my husband David also has OA, and has been on the waiting list for 4 months for a hip replacement, he was having it done by a top surgeon and felt comfortable to wait until he was admitted, only today he got a phone call from the nurse asking him if he wanted it doing in a private hospital,paid for by the NHS but they said it wouldnt be the same surgeon and they wouldnt know who it would be. His dilemma is that he doesnt know anything about the surgeon he will be seeing, whereas he feels comfortable with the surgeon at the NHS. Now he doesnt know what to do, and said he will sleep on it, and all this has come about because the the statistics are bad for our health authority in regards to waiting times, he has waited a while as the average is 3 months here in my local area. He knows he will be a nice room etc if he takes the offer up, but he knows the other surgeon is good and is the top banana when it comes to surgery. if anyone can help with our decision then please let me know, many thanks, sue

Hi Sue,
def a dilemma. sorry cant help though. Would your GP be able to shed any light on the matter? Good luck anyway Lx

nearlybionic

Gosh thats a difficult decision!! I suppose the first thing to think about is how much pain is he in, and can he manage until a date for Top banana surgeon comes up? Also he needs to be told who would be doing the op at the private hospital, then you can do a bit of detective work about him. I am waiting for a date for THR, should be in few weeks, but will beleive when i`m on the trolley!! So I know I feel confident with my surgeon, and would need to feel confident if an alternative was on offer. NOt much help really am I?!! :?

suepollard

Hi, thanks for quick response, perhaps our gp would be able to help, only where david has been offered the op is in a different town, and it could be debatable as to whether he knows of him as such, still I think a visit to the gp would be advisable, thanks very much, sue

suepollard

[Hi, thanks for quick response, you and my husband might be on the trolley at the same time having your ops, not litterally!!! I wish you well with your op, David can manage till the 'Top Banana surgeon' but not for long, he is in agony, but said he could wait perhaps a few weeks as he has been told the NHS could be roundabout March time, but that isnt written in stone, he has just shouted up to me that he thinks he might go down the private route, he will see the surgeon before hand and if he doesnt like him for some reason, he then can go back to the NHS, again thats debatable as to whether he would be put on the bottom of the list as a new patient, not an easy decision, good luck for your op, keep smiling. sue

nearlybionic

I was referred to my local hospital initially, then got a phone call offering an appoitment at private hospital. I was seen at private hospital , only to be told my op was complicated, not a straightforward THR so was referred to wrightington, a specialist centre for orthopaedics. I have been seen there , had pre op tests and x rays now waiting for a date to go in. I live my life for the postman!!

colinone

Hi Sue, Going for an op is stressful enough without being messed about. Last year i had 2 major ops and was very scared. However you can ask any surgeon what his succsees rate is and how many of the type of op he has performed they dont mind. Mine turned out to be great.
Colin

suepollard

[thank you all for responding, you have put our minds at ease, its hard when recently been diagnosed with OA. thank you, suexx

woodbon

I would say that its petty likely your gp will have heard of the surgion as its quite a tight club, so if you can find out it would be worth at least asking. Also, the surgeon who oerates should be NHS based at a hospital. They may have a web site with surgeons interests listed. It may be a long shot but worth at least looking, if only you could find out the name. Your GP may know who its likely to be, I would have thougt :? Apart from that, I don't know what to suggest, and its something only you can decide. Good luck, hope it works out, whatever. Love Sue xxx