NHS won’t carry out hip surgery

[x-Shrek-x]

For about 5 years I have struggled getting my sock and boots on, over time I found it increasingly difficult getting in and out of my Van (Transit Custom van) for my work but I carried on thinking it was just stiffness, over time little things like going to a concert and standing for a length of time would start to hurt me, getting into a van style taxi was really embarrassing, then about 18months ago I started to get an intense electric shock style pain at the front part of my calf that lasted a couple of seconds, so enough was enough I had to go to the doctors to find out what was wrong with me, ( never really liked going to the doctors because a doctor had a go at me about my weight,) I was at the top end on the teens with my weight before my issue started,

After an X-ray it was found that I had arthritis in both my hips, I was sent for physio this seem to help with movement slightly, after several visits physio wasn’t making any difference,

With increasing restriction of movements in my hips, simple things like picking something off the floor became impossible. Going to the toilet putting underwear and socks on was VERY difficult, I was quite active going for Bike rides at the weekend at specially designed tracks in forests and in the summer months have a midweek ride for a couple of hours, because of the restrictions in my hips I haven’t been able to ride my bike for a couple of years, so I have put more weight on, as a result of this because my BMI is over 35 I’m not entitled to surgery after working all my life and not claiming benefits because of my weight, having said that if I happened to fall over and break my hip they would do it,

This is where I’m at now, in constant pain in my inner thighs, buttocks, inner groin, knees, sometimes my ankles and when I walk about 500 meters I get excruciating pain in my lower back, I have been prescribed pain killers and Amitriptyline to help me sleep, now I feel like it is effecting my mental health ( really bad thoughts)

Surly the cost of surgery would be a lot cheaper than me having to pack work in an claim benefits for the rest of my life

Forgot to say they also said I was too young at 51 years of age to have the surgery

Anyone who starts with any similar symptoms get it checked out as soon as possible

[suzy1959]

I have every sympathy with you.

I have had PMR since 2012, aged 52, and then developed OA in both knees and subsequently in both hips. I have always been overweight but going onto steroids to treat the PMR and then the reduced mobility due to both OA and PMR increased my weight too. Our local CCG has a limit of BMI 40( which I am over) for any replacement surgery, NHS or private. I kept getting worse and finally thought enough was enough and decided that paying for the ops might be worth it. I found a surgeon in London who was willing to operate. I have now had 2 new hips and a new knee and I am due to have the other knee done in February.

Despite being told locally that I was too risky for these ops, I have recovered well from all of them so far. I also appealed through my GP to get my final knee done on NHS. They granted me funding because it was clear that I had tried everything to lose the weight. What they didn't tell me till 8 months later when I was just about to be put on the waiting list ( one year's wait atm) is that having funding did not mean that I could get it done locally.

My surgeon in London has consistently offered to operate on me at his NHS hospital as he does not have the BMI restrictions there, but I have decided to get this last one done ASAP rather than wait further.

The lesson here is do what you can to help yourself- fight, keep trying and something may happen! You can't go on with so much pain and immobility. I feel very let down by the NHS and discriminated against. It is very easy for the powers that be to cut off help to those of us who are overweight without seeing the suffering and the person underneath, on the pretext of safety, when it is actually cost-cutting.

Good luck!

[x-Shrek-x in reply to suzy1959]

Hi suzy1959 that’s very true it’s all about cost cutting, they have given me 6 months with the help of the GP to hit the target I have worked out that if I only have 1500 calories a day it’s possible to hit the target

I have other views on the NHS some good some bad, it’s when you have worked and lived in the UK all your life and u get knocked back

Hope your next surgery goes well

[Sand123456 in reply to x-Shrek-x]

I do sympathise with you, can't be easy to have so much pain and limitations, keep going back to Drs, it's crazy every one has to fight for every thing, going private is great if you can afford it, but why should you have to, I've actually witnessed NHS surgeons put someone on a 12 months list, then her family rallied round to go private, to be met with same surgeon, it's not fair.

[Rattling1]

Hi I also have arthritis on both hips and since I started on tablets for the pain . I have put on 3 stone over 2 years . I worked 2 jobs and had to give them up as when I walk my hips and back kill me . I was put on 4 amitriptyline at night to help me sleep and on pregablin and co codamol for pain . I do try walk more each day sometimes I need to stop as my legs go numb and my lower back aches . I had had xrays and hip injections they say my hips ain't to bad for operation yet they give me injections in my hip bones . I feel as though I am on scrap heap these days I feel like an old woman I try keep my sense of humour . I keep at the dr I'm not that good at having to be at home all day as bored it takes me ages to get out of bed in morning as in lot of pain . You are not alone

[kohai]

Hi Shrek-x,

While I have no advice for your health matters, I can offer you one piece of info on Amytriptiline.

While all drugs affect different people in different ways, many people, myself included, have found that this particular drug can, and often does cause both;

* lack of balance

* lack of co-ordination.

Both of which do need to be considered, remembered and taken as a serious possibility. Moreso if you live somewhere with stairs.

I have a high tolerance against most drugs, so very few actually manage the multiple conditions I've had for a very long time, but while on Amytriptiline, I was with my partner, we hadn't even gotten to the end of our street, all I did was walk down slightly going over the dipped entrance to someone's driveway, I lost my balance. This drug slowed my reflexes, so I didn't even get my hands out in front of me to protect me or soften the blow. I broke my nose in two areas on the upward part of the driveway.

The longer I was on them, the balance and co-ordination I lost, to the point I was scared just to go to the bathroom or bedroom, as I'd already fell down the stairs several times. I had to stop taking them for my own safety.

While you may not get these symptoms, as I said, all drugs work and affect people differently, please do be aware that loss of coordination and lack of balance are listed as common side effects on this drug.

If you are concerned, for any reason what so ever, about how they or any other medication you are prescribed affects your mental, physical or emotional well being, speak with your doctor as soon as possible before the medication causes you any harm.

Believe me, no doctor would think any less of you for saying "I can't take these, they are causing too many adverse effects". You may not even be asked what those are, but a doctors duty, his primary care is to you and your well being, so will try you on something different.

Doctors only know something is wrong if you tell them. Please don't make the same mistake I did in thinking that the symptoms would calm down once my system got used to them... for me, it started putting my life at risk.

The choice is of course always yours, but please do be careful with this drug.

kohai

OA Ambassador

[Polski]

Consider trying Glucosamine and/or turmeric to decrease the pain. To lose weight cut out all sugar (apart from in fruit), processed foods, and things made with white flour, white rice, white pasta etc - use brown as much as possible. This should help the weight to go, and the pain to decrease as well (sugar increases pain!)

[x-Shrek-x]

Thanks for the advice Polski, I have tried Glucosamine and turmeric they don’t really make a difference anymore,

The thing is I now have a goal to reach to have the surgery, since I found out the weight I have to lose I’m sticking to a calorie controlled diet with no snacking at all & drinking plenty of water between if I feel peckish during my meals I allow my self 1500 calories a day, i know it’s only just over a week but I have lost a stone already,

I’m using an app on my phone called LOSE IT you can scan the bar code and it give u the calories of the item

I also use an app called FOOD SCANNER “change for life” that also tell you the salt, sugar and saturated fat content when your in the supermarket shopping,

For example I used to like ASDA brand Vanilla milk and one day I just happened scan it before I placed it in my trolly, the amount of sugar was OFF the scale so I put it back,

It’s really shocked me the amount of sugar that is found in some foods (not good)

If I can lose 2-3lbs a week I will be happy 😊,

No change in the pain but I suppose the more I lose the it will ease

[bluebell99]

Hi I am in the same position and was refused a replacement hip due to high BMI. My surgeon has tried to keep me going with steroid injections in my groin, the first worked for two years, the last barely a week.

He has decided to put me on the waiting list for a total hip replacement rather than resurfacing as my hip has deteriorated badly over the past few years. He recognises I have tried to lose weight but extensive arthritis throughout all my joints and 20 years of taking steroids for autoimmune conditions mean the weight is hard to shift.

He assures me that if I continue to try to lose even a little weight then he will go ahead. He has previously replaced both knees and resurfaced the other hip, the last op being 7 years ago. Fingers crossed he will be true to his word.

[Hidden]

Hi,i also have arthritis in hip,i had my left 1 replaced nearly 4yrs ago,i was 52 and classed as young! I had to fight for nearly 10yrs to get op,i had a physical job and walked a lot,to and from work,i was told "we can't do it as,you're so active,you would go thru new hip quicker" or "you're too young,so we would need to do it again" It's all excuses,all bout money. My advice,keep at them....By time i had op,i was in excruciating pain,i was also told "as we took so long to do op,you're recovery is harder" Go figure!