| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| complete novice |
Posted - 05 Jan 2016 : 12:09:51 AM
I know it's been years since I've posted though I do have a read, I was wondering if Pop was still around, I remember her posting she was having some problems with her hip and have been checking to see if she has posted an update but I've not seen anything.
If you do see this Pop I hope everything went ok |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Pop |
Posted - 04 May 2016 : 4:16:28 PM
Well I just dare not have the op later than April, so I can be sure that I'm fit and able to cope with winter. This means that I plan to do it next year, and the surgeon seems to agree.
Of course its a very big worry because I have some considerable soft tissue damage as well, so a bit concerned about that.
But it means I have to continue having the injections and taking the steroids and all manner of things I hate, and tablets to deal with the affects of the pain killers and so on; it's too depressing to think about, so I just pop the pills, swig the morphine and crack on.
At least its my only bad joint, all the others would make a 21 year old proud: I can put my right foot behind my head on a good day :)
I'm still riding, it seems the only time it doesn't hurt; getting on can make me yelp, and getting off is very undignified and unpleasant, but riding, without spooks, its very comfortable indeed. Although its true to say that I'm not really up for adventure.
I find riding so much easier than walking, so the horses currently double up as motorized wheelchairs.
I have a new puppy. Probably not a wise move, but I got her for Magnet not me really.
Good weather is here at last eh? :) :) :) :) |
| heathermcbreen |
Posted - 22 Apr 2016 : 5:09:57 PM
Hey Pop, any news... i have two friends in their early 50's both had recent hip replacements and both pretty mobile after only a couple of weeks... and the horse riding one expects to be on his horse after 6 weeks max... good luck with it all... |
| complete novice |
Posted - 19 Jan 2016 : 09:18:03 AM
I'm so pleased Maddy is doing well, it must over three years since you got her though my memory could be playing tricks, that was a heck of a saga but thankfully had a very good outcome. Do you have any pictures?
What a bloody nightmare, surely there must be an ombudsman or someone who would look into it for you though judging by the catalogue of errors probably not. I hope you get somewhere with it soon, most NHS areas have a maximum waiting time if surgery is recommended, I think you must be doing everyone elses waiting too.
Good luck and let us know how things go. |
| Pasch |
Posted - 17 Jan 2016 : 7:35:23 PM
Your story sounds like what happens in Italian administrative offices!Where everybody keeps referring you to some other office and when you get there they send you back or tell you you don't have all the documentation needed!On the other hand our NHS is not that bad although it is getting worse in the last years…
Maybe you should have a holiday here and see an Italian doctor 
Seriously hope you get the whole thing sorted asap. |
| garnet |
Posted - 17 Jan 2016 : 4:57:56 PM
Too many incompetent organisers and not enough proper medical staff! I agree; apart from personal inconvenience, the waste of resources is mind-boggling! Hope you soon get sorted out - long-term illness is no joke. |
| Pop |
Posted - 17 Jan 2016 : 10:53:08 AM
Well you do have to laugh .....
Thankfully, most opinion is that it’s not RA, but that its avascular necrosis, which means it’s just the one joint, which is a great relief.
And just for the record, I am most definitely not too young for a replacement, absolutely no way!
I’m certainly not an NHS basher, but these things have happened, and are very frustrating, I keep a spreadsheet of all the incidents which arise from trying to cost cut, but which have entirely the opposite effect, I estimate the cost of the screw ups, and add them, it stands at about £30,000 at the moment, so, just complete waste of money trying to save money.
I have not included the drugs I have to take to deal with the effects of the drugs I have to take and the tests to check potential damage from the drugs I have to take.
I waited 3 months for the appointment for a referral to Hospital A, when I got there the consultant said that she could not help me and that I needed to be referred on to Hospital O. The only medical opinion I was given was “that looks nasty”.
I waited for the appointment to Hospital O and nothing happened, seems that for a period of 4 months, Hospital A and my local surgery had been arguing about who would refer me, and therefore pay, eventually that was sorted.
I got letter thru giving me an ID and password to log on and schedule the appointment, when I logged on, it told me that I could not make an appointment for that department on line and gave me a number to phone, I phone and was told that I could not make an appointment on that number but that they would take my details and write to me with an appointment.
I then got a letter which said that I had not yet arranged an appointment and that I should hurry up otherwise I would forfeit the appointment, then I got a letter with the appointment date, then got a letter telling me to ignore all previous correspondence and that because I had not made the appointment, I had forfeited it. I checked, the appointment was still valid.
I went to the appointment and the doctor had a file with one piece of paper claiming to have my medical history attached, it didn’t, so he sent me away to rearrange the appointment giving him time to get my records. Two days before the rearranged appointment I got a copy letter from him saying that he was referring me back to Hospital A and that since I didn’t have an appointment with him, they should arrange one as soon as possible. I phoned his secretary and said that I did have an appointment, she said no worries, I will cancel it and you wait for the appointment at Hospital A. I did, and then got a letter telling me what a bad person I was because I had failed to keep the appointment …. Hmmmmm
I went to the appointment at Hospital A and it seems that they could not do all the required tests, they did what they could but have had to refer me back to Hospital O for the other tests. I wait …..
So, Hospital A referred me to Hospital O, Hospital O referred me back to Hospital A, and Hospital A have now referred me back to Hospital O.
Interestingly, the doctor from Hospital O commented in his letter that in his opinion the tests would be good, but he felt that they would by no means address the issues.
Arrrrrrhhhhhh, don’t get me started on the stapler story …… I was physically shaking from frustration and disbelief.
Thanks Complete Novice, Maddy was on loan and she came back at the beginning of the Winter, she is keeping Wilz company, which they both love. I will be looking for a new home for her in the Spring I think. She has the most amazing personality and fantastic sense of humour and is so so pretty.
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| zooscat |
Posted - 15 Jan 2016 : 08:23:32 AM
Oh, Pop, your saga about The Appointment is dreadful and hilarious in equal measure! I commend you for keeping your responses polite!
I think you should send it to the Daily Fail FAO Richard Littlejohn: he woul love it and probably give you a regular guest slot on the "You Couldn't Make It Up" column! |
| Misshana |
Posted - 11 Jan 2016 : 6:58:56 PM
Regarding riding after hip replacement. My friend has had both hers replaced about 6 years ago in her late 50's. She rides most days for 1.5 hours hacking, has lessons once a week, does odd dressage test and even small wh classes. Very determined lady, also walks her dogs for around 45 mins every day, so there is life after hip replacement. Best of luck, hope you get sorted quickly |
| Ziadomira |
Posted - 11 Jan 2016 : 4:24:01 PM
I have had RA for nearly thirty years now. I take lefluonomide which has slowed down its effect. It is a derivative of Thalidomide so as they say it's an ill wind that blows no good. Had a new ankle in 2010 and a new knee in 2012. Both great improvements on hobbling round on what felt like a broken ankle and a stiff leg. Have always had brilliant treatment from the NHS, maybe I live in the right area. |
| cmj |
Posted - 11 Jan 2016 : 3:30:32 PM
Just a little bit of info for you re steroid injections (I have rheumatoid arthritis so have read expert's advice) - "steroid injections must never be given in tendons" and "there is a risk of tendon damage with steroid injections" - this is why the amount of injections that can be given is limited.
Getting an accurate diagnosis in uk can be a lottery. My lottery ticket was rubbish and they didn't volunteer tests for RA even though I sat there and said "could it be RA?" No, they said it was osteoarthritis and take ibuprofen. Luckily went to France, tests I paid for showed VERY positive bloodwork for RA. I can see my rheumatologist when I want for only 28 euros. Getting proper treatment now thankfully.
Really hope you get the treatment you need. Lots of RA people get hips and knees replaced. Better than awful pain methinks. |
| complete novice |
Posted - 10 Jan 2016 : 11:09:23 PM
OMG, all I could do was shake my head in disbelief, I understand about the flexibility, age and reason causing it but surely none of it is set in stone some people in their 30's get a new hip and I keep reading that people who want to ride generally do though sometimes getting on and off has to be from the wrong side depending which hip has been replaced.
I hope you get something sorted sooner rather than later, do you have any idea of the average waiting time in your area? I've been advised it's likely to be 3 months so hopefully early April but I'm going to try and ask for a cancellation if possible as like you I want to give it the best chance to heal before the winter and all the lovely mud makes a comeback.
How are your herd doing, do you still have Maddie? |
| garnet |
Posted - 10 Jan 2016 : 7:44:09 PM
You have to laugh or you'd cry... Happy New Year! |
| Pasch |
Posted - 10 Jan 2016 : 7:06:51 PM
I am afraid I laughed,too
Nice to read you again here xxx |
| FireLight |
Posted - 10 Jan 2016 : 6:46:37 PM
Oh dear Pop, what a nightmare. As though being in pain isn't bad enough but being surrounded by total incompetence is beggars belief! hope you finally get sorted, fingers crossed! |
| SuziQ |
Posted - 10 Jan 2016 : 1:39:48 PM
Oh Pop if it wasnt so awful it really would be funny! Our NHS used to be the envy of the world! Glad you are batteling on and yes.. very very wet. I just hate wadding at the best of times but with a dodgy knee it lends the whole experience an extra level of desperation! |
| Goldenmane |
Posted - 10 Jan 2016 : 11:13:42 AM
I'm afraid I laughed, but could have cried, when I read this. Hope horses are well. X
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| debs |
Posted - 10 Jan 2016 : 09:02:19 AM
Oh Pop....what a nightmare!!! Glad you still have your fighting spirit though :)
I'm just off to work so a quick happy new year to you and hope we will 'see' more of you x
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| Pop |
Posted - 10 Jan 2016 : 08:07:07 AM
Hello
Hello Complete Novice, so sorry to hear about your Hip, it’s not funny eh?
The weed things continue to bug me, I’m not sure if the horses eat them, sheep wont, but if the land is well grazed, they don’t get a hold, if you leave/rest it, they just go wild. I’ve tried pulling them up but after a while they make my chest go tight and also make me sleepy.
My Hip issue is not going well really, I was told of its urgency but when I got to see the Surgeon he said that he would not take it away until he knew what had caused it, on the basis that he could not put it back, but when they did that investigation, I still had 3 different opinions on the cause. Then followed a series of reason why it should be delayed which were absolutely ridiculous. They included me being “too young”, that “after the operation I would never be able to ride again”, that I would be “very disappointed with its flexibility, in comparison to the other leg where I can put my foot behind my head”: it just went on and on.
So the Surgeon says I should try to survive on a few Steroid injections a year, and another Doctor at the same hospital in the same department says I should man up and just have it done. So I have an appointment to discuss things with the doctor says no and the other who says absolutely now yes.
I arrive, a little early, they are running late, I’m chilled about that; eventually a lady calls my name and indicates that I should follow her, I do. She walks like a teenage boy, bottoms of feet never leave the ground causing a shuffling movement, her shoulders are slumped forward causing her to appear to have curvature of the spine and extraordinarily long arms. She has the same vocabulary as a teenage boy which is little better than grunting. Anyway, I sit and wait in a small examination room.
10 mins pass by. A nurse comes in, she doesn’t look at me, marches to the bed, drops her kit (which I recognised as a kit to take blood), she prepares everything, still not looking up and finally turns to me, with a needle held like a dagger and says “Mr Howlett?”. No I say, I’m not Mr Howlett. She looks again at her paperwork, then back and me and says more forcefully “Mr Howlett?”, NO I say, I’m not Mr Howlett or Mr anyone for that matter, she turns, leaves.
10 mins pass. Then, in the doorway I see a man, his back is to the entrance, his entire right hand side is clad in plaster, his arm is out at a fight angle, a thing I thought was only for cartoons and Benny Hill. It made him wider than the doorway, and the experience was new to him, the plaster was so white, it was clearly very new. He spend a very very long time reversing carefully into the room and finally turned around, saw me, said “oh, it’s occupied” I confirm this and he left, very slowly.
10 mins pass. Then, in comes someone who seems to be a doctor. He ask how I am; and he says “why are you here?” Eh, because I have an appointment … He says “last time we met ….” I say, sorry to interrupt you but we’ve never met”, he disagrees, I’m adamant. Bit of pointless conversation, so he starts again; “How is the elbow?” he says. “Elbow is fine” I say, but the Hip is worse. “Hip?” he says, I don’t do hips, I only do Elbows and Shoulders. I end the meeting by reusing his opening statement “why are you here”.
10 mins pass, in walks the Doctor who has previously said I should man up and have the replacement. He looks at me, breaks out in a sweat, turns around and leaves.
10 mins pass, in walks the Surgeon who says I should not have it done yet. He looks at me, turns and leaves; seems he has gone off to find the other Doctor. 20 mins pass, and I am finally seated opposite both Doctors, the one who says Yes and the one who says No. I ask them to explain themselves and that’s when the really stupid stuff starts.
My original suspicion was that it was all about budget, and at a later meeting, the surgeon accidently let this slip, but at the latest appointment, he said “we will do whatever you like”, so that’s where I am. The replacement needs to be in the Spring, so that I’m completely mobile for the following winter hard labour.
I can ride (very little cantering) for about 3 months after each steroid injection, but my hip did dislodge a bit on one ride, that wasn’t nice.
Then of course there is the sever allergy issue, and autoimmune issues, which seem to attract the same amount of puzzling administration. I’m far enough forward to know I don’t have Lupus, which it seems was what they thought; and that I’m allergic to almost every product used around horses, but not actual horses, or dogs. I asked for a test to see if I was allergic to humans, they said they didn’t have one, but I’m allergic to perfume, which has much the same effect really. Don’t get me started on the administration of that, it was so bad it was hilarious.
Still on the steroids, tablets, injections, inhaler and cream … oh well.
So all is good really, have another steroid injection next week, really looking forward to that, they did the previous one in the wrong place, so trying not to get too excited, just in case.
Anyone noticed it’s been quite a wet winter so far?
Happy New Year everyone. |
| moatside |
Posted - 10 Jan 2016 : 07:59:12 AM
I will do |
| complete novice |
Posted - 09 Jan 2016 : 3:06:04 PM
Thank you for letting us know Moatside, if you speak to her again would you say hi please, I often wonder how she's getting on and remember what a brilliant job she did rescuing Maddy even when she was putting her own safety at risk on several occasions.
A very brave lady. |
| debs |
Posted - 09 Jan 2016 : 07:53:54 AM
Good! :) |
| moatside |
Posted - 09 Jan 2016 : 06:48:13 AM
I spoke to Tricia just before NY - she is fine :-)
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| debs |
Posted - 08 Jan 2016 : 06:37:10 AM
We have that weed in our fields, in fact it's in so many as I ride I can see it everywhere! We've lived her over 20 years and never put anything on our fields so loathe to start now.....
I have a vague recollection of seeing a post on FB by Pop but can't remember when... |
| complete novice |
Posted - 08 Jan 2016 : 12:46:58 AM
Firelight though it's me that needs the op it'll be OH that will be doing all the nursing and like your OH is self employed in a fairly specialized field, by the time he's finished looking after the horses, dogs and me it'll be another 'field' he'll be specialised in lol.
SuziQ sorry to hear about your knee though glad age is on your side if only just, I hope you make a speedy recovery. |
| SuziQ |
Posted - 07 Jan 2016 : 7:50:04 PM
I did my knee in 8 weeks ago, Im really lucky to have great family and friends to help me and as the nice physio was kind enough to say..you still 'just about' have age on your side! So y total sympathy to those suffering with hips and knees its awful! |
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