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Date: 12.03.2010
From: Julie

Subject: New here

I really need to talk to other people who have osteoarthritis!! I have had 3 hips replaced in the last 3.1/2 years (the first left side done wrong at the age of 52) Revision 16 months later and the right side done just last November. I have arthritis in my spine also. I live alone and really struggle to do everyday things and can't walk without a crutch - back and hips still very painful. Seeing the consultant again at the end of the month. Since the first hip was done my life has totally changed, can't work and am very isolated - only 1 daughter near who works full time. I would really appreciate some contact with others who have osteo! thanks.
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Date: 12.03.2010
From: sally

Subject: Re: New here

hi Julie, welcome to the forum! I don't have osteo but there are plenty of people on here who do. My mother had severe OA so I do know quite a bit about it and, when I was really ill with inflammatory arthritis, my problems were exactly the same as hers regarding mobility and pain. I live on my own too and it can be hard not having any support at home. Have you contacted your council's OT department for a home assessment? I did recently and they have made quite a few changes for me which makes my life a bit easier.
Also, have you had any hydrotherapy? That is supposed to be quite good too for osteo. I expect you have done all that but it not, urge you to contact them. Also, do you get Disability Living Allowance? Everyone on here is evangelical about applying :) Apologies if this is all stuff you know. See you around!
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Date: 12.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: New here

Welcome Julie, lots ppl on here with O.A. and other types, regard your hips ops, im sorry they didnt work for u, it id usually very successful in most pp.Regards your back, u say u have arthritis in your spine, know how that feels, Had spine surgery myself, all I want to say is, I know that back pain can cause extra Hip pain, groin pain etc.... mn u needf to dee a Rhumatologist again to talk about your spine? jusdt a thought, let us know how u get on, this forum is gr8, fab bunch in here, that will always try and support u....tc Jill
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Date: 13.03.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: New here

Hey Julie, same here. I have RA so dont know much about OA but will listen and help as much as I can : )

xx
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Date: 13.03.2010
From: KayJay

Subject: Re: New here

I started with OA in spine and hips then the RA/Inflammatory started. It was a Chiropractor who told me about the spine years ago and this has been confirmed by Xray just this week. So I suppose you can have both types of arther ?
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Date: 13.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: New here

deffo KJ, was told that I had Inflam then ESR went mental up to 97, then told its R.A. My gp says its R.A. just techincal terms really, treatment same...KJ how does your back play up? shooting pain, sciatica down legs? MRI scan wld reveal so much more.......
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Date: 13.03.2010
From: KayJay

Subject: Re: New here

Jill never had an MRI just Xray. I had Sciatica for the 2nd time in my older years and bliddy hell I couldn't walk !! My son was very scared for me and I didn't know it was Sciatica until I went to the docs. He gave me Solpadol tablets. BUT when I next went to the Rhumie [ registrar ] he said it couldn't have been Sciatica because the nerve conduction test was normal !! This was the same Rhumie who I think caused the pain becos he had insisted I could lift my left leg up higher than I could , so he just yanked it up owwww !! Good grief. I know as soon as I've pulled me back that I'm in for it and yes it does shoot down the leg, through the hip to my knee. But at least I have " Prince Solpodal " to come to my rescue now hehe.......
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Date: 13.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: New here

Those bliddy registrars, im sure the government plonk into the NHS, unqualified so callled docs, and every 5 ppl they see, they Naffff it up, so that U dont go back! the weay u described that, happeneed to my best m8, when I get examined anywherew, I will say, wait a min, I cant move that far, over the years ive learnt a lot, aned Wont let anyone touch me, even today, when saw the private surgeon for my insurance claim, he went to tocvuh my shoulders, and I said Immed, Please dont touch my shoulders...and he was gentle.....my consultant spine surgeon, has always been so good, I wld report ther tweats that shove ya leg up over ya head! they need sacking!!!
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Date: 14.03.2010
From: Julie

Subject: Re: New here

Hi everyone and thanks so much for your replies.
To answer a few questions, yes I do get DLA, Mobility component and really had to fight for it too-the CAB were great with helping me.I get annoyed when I see people who really shouldn't be getting DLA and do, then theres the genuine ones who don't. I do need some help around the place, especially the garden which is huge, so will contact OT Dept. It was awful when my first hip replacement was done wrong, I was awake for the whole thing, had a spinal and thought he was making a peice of furniture! I can't have opiates so no pain relief afterwards except a TENS machine....it was agony, honest. To top it all, he didn't prepare the bone round the socket properly and put the new socket in at 75 degs to the vertical instead of 45 degs....everytime I moved it was partially dislocating. Crutches for 16 months until I had the Revision-new Consultant is just wonderful. He did the right one also last November and I know they have been done perfectly. I reckon this pain must be coming from my back and affecting my hips. I have put a lot of weight on over the last 3.1/2 years with not being mobile and its got to come off! really hard being on my own though as I tend to nibble and comfort eat coz I'm fed up. I used to judge, show and breed dogs but not anymore....I really miss it, although I have 2 Cocker Spaniels (mother and son) who I refuse to part with, they are my constant companions and friends and make me hobble out for a walk while they run around like lunatics. Thanks again for your messages, I will be on this forum a lot I can see,sometimes I think I'm the only person with this and feel very isolated.
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Date: 14.03.2010
From: Jill

Subject: Re: New here

Hi Julie, blimey that must have beern a dreadful time, cant beleive tht surgeon got it do wrong!! would have sued the ass offf him, its not too late to still do that by the way, assuming u have Proof that the other surgeon had to re do it....all of us that conme in here feel as u deo, fed up, lonely, isolated thinking we r the only ones that have this terible disease, but conming in here will show u r not alone, and tht u will have some comfort from this forum, it helps with ther isolation too, we also like to have a giggle and often talk 'off topic', that way, we get to kinda know each other better....where abouts do U live Julie, Im in East Sussex....do u have family or m8s for support?

tc Jill x
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Date: 14.03.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: New here

Hey Julie, that sounds bloody awful, especially havin to cope on your own. Can i just ask, why would anyone have a hip replacement without general anaesthetic!? This is crazy! lol Im due to have my hips replaced soon and the thought of being concious through it makes me feel a bit sick lol

I spent a while without being able to take codeine because it gave me severe stomach cramps, the drs said there was nothing else he could give me so ive coped for years with nothing. Just managed to wean myself onto codeine (never thought id hear myself say that!) and can finally take 30/500. I dont know how i coped without them be honest. You must be in so much pain, how does the TENS machine do? Ive never tried one but have heard good reviews (obviously not great for op pains!!!)

Take care xx
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Date: 15.03.2010
From: Julie

Subject: Re: New here

Hey everyone - thanks for the support, and no I don't get much from anywhere else.

To Jill - yes I am already sueing the ass off the consultant, who by the way had been replacing hips for over 20 years and bragged at how fast he could do one......although the Claim has been going on for 3 years and is not looking too good at the moment and the amount I may get is hardly worth all the fight I've had to get it. However, the Specialist Report states that this Consultant was not only neglient but it was carelessness also.
At our local hospital they insist on a spinal, no general for hips - although when I had the Revision and my right hip done they gave me a general with no problem, infact said after what I had been through they wouldn't do it without one....this was a Teaching/University hospital and the Consultant there is just wonderful, plus hes drop dead gorgeous which always helps girls....lol

As for the TENS machine - it didn't do much really, I think the pulsing just takes your mind of the agony you are in slightly!

I live in Lincolnshire, and look forward to getting to know others with OA - hope I can offer you all some support from my experiences too.....thanks again!
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Date: 15.03.2010
From: sally

Subject: Re: New here

Julie, Still worth suing even if the money isn't much. Until people call surgeons like this to account they will go on doing what they've always done. Well done! I made a complaint about a surgical procedure once and it gave me 'closure', as they say, when the surgeon apologised to me for the way I was treated. It was just good to have an acknowledgement that things had gone wrong.

I find tens machines useless too! I think they work for muscular pain sometimes but not much else. Some people swear by acupuncture. Did nothing for me but might be worth a try. You can get it on the NHS.
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Date: 15.03.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: New here

A gorgeous doc always makes appointments more interesting! lol Unfortunately I dont have one at the mo!
Ive been having accupuncture on NHS for the last 5 weeks and although Ive really wanted it to work, i just dont think its done anything. Like you said Sally, it could be good for muscles but just not for bones.

xx
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Date: 15.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: New here

Think I agree with u there V, my Gp altho great gp, not gorjus lol, having acupuncture on my neck, but its for the musle spasms.....my Spine surgeon is gorjus tho hehe...he has that(cant spell this word) chena sa qaua? hehehe
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Date: 15.03.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: New here

haha i know what ya mean! My surgeon is old but wore a damn fine suit! lol
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Date: 15.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: New here

Love a guy in a good suit, and shoes....how old is your surgeon 35/40? lolololol.....what job do u do Verity, im being nosy, I gave up work 2002, get right fed up....
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Date: 15.03.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: New here

H
I reckon he's mid fifties, ive been known to like the older man but thats a touch over my limit lol maybe 'old' was a bit of an exageration hahaha.

Im a data analyst, Basically we get info from banks and other similar companies and we find out the current info of businesses they deal with. Its repetitive but its something Im good at and can still do. I think if I was doing something that didnt involve sitting on my bum and drinking tea then Id have had to give up work (even though ive only been working full time for 4 years!)

What was it that you used to do work wise??
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Date: 15.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: New here

sounds like a gr8 job, and that ya got a good brain, I use to be a secretary at your age, gave up when had my first, didnt have to work, and to ber honest, didnt want to go back, planned to do work that fitted around my daughter at the time, but it was necessary at that time, then I had my son(mentioned James in another post, He died due to congenital heart disease), long stroy, then had more lovely babies, luckily, and was consumed being a mum, then when they got to 4(youngest that is, I worked part time sainsburys at night, stacking the foood u lot eat LOL, was fun, hard work, but fun, then back went, then did 8pm til 1pm at B&Q, did same, Loved it, colleagues were crazy like me, music blaring, and I got 400.00 a month for 12 hours, easy money, but hard graft, that was good cash back in 2002, then gave up due to this...havnt worked since, wld love to, but im too unreliable, one morn i can wake up, and go back to bed at ten, flare ups kill me off, id get sacked, but I do miss working.....hey mb I cld take your job offf u lololol. sounds brill
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Date: 15.03.2010
From: julie

Subject: Re: New here

"Julie, Still worth suing even if the money isn't much. Until people call surgeons like this to account they will go on doing what they've always done."

Yes it worries me that this man is still operating daily and I know for sure that I am not the only one he has made a mess of. I don't think it will make any difference to him whether I sue or not will it? The Trust will pay out, not him and I think he will just get his legs slapped. If I'm correct I have to report him to the General Medical Council? and I can't do that until the Claim is over and done with - and my solicitor is pretty damned useless too!! AARRRGH!!
Got to go see my GP on Wednesday so maybe I will ask about acupunture - to be honest my legs don't feel as if they belong to me...they won't do what I want them too!!
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Date: 15.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: New here

Hi Julie, your dsuing him might judt be thr one that actually brings thisd man doa to someone above \him, also u said in the report he was negligent and careless, surely this has got to be worth pursuing after that statement...Know it takes years, becos he is obviously disagreeing with u, buyt the other guy that did correct the surgery, he wld also put in a report about his findings......for example, a raod trafic accident, even if the other side admits fault, that can take up to 2 years or so........anychance of changing solicitors? prob not at this late stage, but I wld keep hassling him weekly, c what happens then.....what happened to u is disgusting, please dont give up the 'fight' your case may just bring him down, and get off the surgeon register? wish u the best

Jill x
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Date: 16.03.2010
From: julie

Subject: Re: New here

Hey Jill, they way all this legal stuff works is back to front to me!

Before you can even go to a Solicitor you have to "complain" to the relevant dept at the hospital and get a Report from the Consultant who did the op, which they obviously did not want to do. It took me months of chasing/phone calls/irritation and hard work to get this Report - ICAS helped a lot. My GP advised me to sue, which is not the norm they usually sick together aye! Before any Consultant/Doctor is disciplined it takes a lot of complaints from people and usually they give up at the stage of getting a Report from the Consultant who did the op wrong - which I can understand, they are in pain and have all this hassle too. Its a nightmare, really. The hospital throw every excuse under the sun at you - i.e. hes on holiday/in a meeting/only does his paperwork once a fortnight not got time ect.

This has been going on for 3.1/2 years and is nowhere near over yet -I can't change Solicitors now its too late and Legal Aid involved (no work no £'s)so if I did I would have a huge legal bill of this Solicitor now, which I cannot pay..I have seen my own Solicitor in town, hes really good and is phoning the current Sol to put a few points forward to her (its a woman, and very young)about damages she has missed..
along with numerous other things.
There has been a Report from an Orthopaedic Specialist for the Claim and he has said that the incorrect op on my left hip has had no bearing on the deterioration in my back and right hip - OF COURSE IT HAS, EVERYTHING WENT PEAR SHAPED after the left hip was done wrong - but he is saying "no" - therefore I cannot claim loss of earnings.....which I know I am entitled to, I had to leave work because of this op, but he is adamant and covering his back, which is what they do.

The(gorgeous)Consultant who did the Revision and the right hip has told me he would also say it was neglience and carelessness but he can't do anything in the way of standing up for me as he is treating me..not allowed.

Solicitors go on medical records to the letter, mine are misquoted/incorrect and dates wrong everywhere - but they still use them, which has added to the cock-up. Its really hard work to be honest, I am constantly chasing the Solicitor to get off her butt, arguing points and so on.

So its all very complicated - and very lenghty and a lot of hassle.....but I'll get there in the end no doubt. Until then I'll keep hobbling on I guess as I don't honestly see my hips and back getting any better than they are now.
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Date: 16.03.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: New here

stay strong Julie and try and keep at it. It will be worth it in the end wont it : ) It does all sound like a proper cock up though, i bet you get sooooo frustrated with all these incompetent retards!
Hope youre well

xx
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Date: 16.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: New here

Blimey Julie, that sound frigging horrendous, and it takes a strong woman to do what U r doing, im usuallky a strong woman, and Id like to think that I wouldnt not give up, no matter how long it took, However, like U said, u were recovering from surgery.....but it does show that YOU are persistant, think half the propblem is that stoooopid solicitor, and u r right, the NHS stick together, No one wld dare say a bad word about that crapppy surgeon!! but I think when it involves surgeons and the like, its harder, but let that make U more determinded to see it thru to the end!!.....claims like this do take years, dont give upOR me and Verity will NAGGGGGGG U bad LOLOLOLOL xx
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Date: 16.03.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: New here

Im good at nagging : ). Thats what my OH says anyway lol xx
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Date: 17.03.2010
From: julie

Subject: Re: New here

Keep nagging girls....lol !! don't worry I have been likened to a "terrier" once I get my teeth into something I don't let go - and why should this pratt of a Consultant who has totally cocked my life up get away with this??? Hope I don't bump into him in town one day....

Seriously will let you know what happens with the stoooopid solicitor, waiting to hear from her (as usual) after she has spoken to my own Solicitor in town....bet she will say I can't claim any extra damages though, we will see....!!

Off to GP today, so will ask about acupuncture as I'm in the usual agony this morning - its a good job I have the dogs really, as they make me do things and I have to exercise them, even if its only me hobbling slowly and them going daft.

Update soon.....xxxx
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Date: 17.03.2010
From: Ver

Subject: Re: New here

You could buy a skateboard or some roller skates for when you have to take the dogs for a walk. Let them do all the hard work and pull you! lol

xx
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Date: 17.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: New here

LOLOL Pmsl
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Date: 20.03.2010
From: julie

Subject: Re: New here

Verity - a skateboard???!!! do you really think I could stay on it with my dodgy hips/back and legs.....he he he.....maybe I'll just drive along slowly, door open and they can run at the side....what do you reckon? Hobbled out with them today and there was a definate aroma of fox-pooh around, their very favourite thing to roll in....lovely.

Update - been to GP he said when I see the consultant I need to ask for another MRI to see whats going on with the bones. As I said I can't take opiates, but for some reason can tolerate co-codomol (weird) but they don't touch it anyway. Wish I could take Tramadol or something a bit stronger. I asked about acupuncture but GP wants to see what consultant says first.

heard from the stooopid solicitor, she has totally misunderstood my own solicitor in town regarding the extra damages...more work for me then. A ream of paperwork off her this morning - as usual she has denied saying things I know she has said and has also acutally commented that I am causing her too much work in replying to my letters!! tough I'll make her earn her money....lol !!!!
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Date: 21.03.2010
From: Verity

Subject: Re: New here

Julie, Im sure there'll be some way to strap you on lol yeh, Or drive like on Turner and Hooch (great film!)
Gosh, how do you manage with such little pain relief. I didn't used to take painkillers coz codeine gave me severe stomach pains, it was a miserable time. Do you find anything helps the pain without meds?

Your solicitor sounds pretty retarded, hang on in there. It'll be worth it eventually : ) Go on, make her life hell! haha

Hope youre ok : )

xx
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Date: 21.03.2010
From: jill

Subject: Re: New here

Julie, way back in the past I didnt have good painkillers, just anti inflams and parecetamol, co codamol, and when I had my spine op in 2003, I was given Tramodol, weeks after the op tho, sheer agony,but trams helped to a degreee, I dont know how u r coping, Im on Opiates(rather not be, got no choice) and even then the pain gets thru, so my heart goes out to u, cant imagine how much u r suffering, I so hope the acupuncture helps, but if your Joints r damaged(which the MRI will reveal) fingers crossed all good, but Im not so sure that acupuncture helps damage, like joints damaged, for Mucsle spasms, Brilliant, maybe others on here can tell me that Im wrong, my gp gives me acupuncture, but not had any lately due to the saga my body is putting me thru at mo, but if there is damage on MRI, I have corrective surgery, nowt can relieve the pain until its corrected....anyway hope things go good for u, and Give that stoooopid woman solicitor the run around and make life bliddy hard for her, like she has done to u...best wishes xx
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