Arthritis, joint replacement

[mick]

Originally Posted by ChrisS

Thank you all so much for your comments. To those like Joan, Carol, MrT, Sally, Sweets, Judge, I know you fully understand when I say I had no idea how much stress we were both going thro, hubs far more than me of course, as his bones deteriorated month on month, year on year. I used to feel sick when he was having a particular bad episode, goodness knows what it was like for him, you have to have personal experience to know... palpable relief for hubs, I'm so chuffed to see him relatively pain free, for now at least.

In general my comments were meant as a, if you are sufferring, then go for it. Linda, you need to kick some backside now girl, this situation with your hubby cannot continue, insist on a second opinion, you are entitled. Hubs was earmarked for surgery of some description from his first consult two year gone, it's us who dragged our feet as fusion left him with doubts.

My first two cancers were dealt with at Addenbrookes and my third back home at Dryburn in Durham. I do think the NHS is like two or three different health systems, UK area dependant. Up here we are so very lucky, and forever grateful for our NHS... it's saved my life three times, what's not to like

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Chris

Joan and I have nothing but praise for the NHS.

Basically back in 2009 my GP diagnosed my very rare form of cancer from basically a conversation and a few questions. It was obviously confirmed over the next few weeks after they did a few CT and ultra sound scans and drilled a few holes between my ribs. We have nothing but praise for the GP, surgical, medical and nursing staff at what used to be called Walsgrave hospital in Coventry.

Then Joan's knee replacement in 2014 which was arranged very efficiently. Consultant was based at Walsgrave but the op was done at Rugby by his registrar. Again a complete success

And now of course Joan's current issue. Diagnosed 3 days before Christmas, three ops, clinical trials and aspirations meant almost every day at Walsgrave (again) during January to March. Now 75% through the nasty stuff and a bit more treatment in October but here again absolutely everyone involved at Coventry (breast specialist surgeons, oncology professor, medical, nursing and admin) are all fantastic.

I do understand that others may not share our values but we can only speak as we find

Mick

[Bear-family]

Originally Posted by ChrisS

Hi Dibbers... for arthritis sufferers with joint replacement option; based on hubs excellent experience, give it serious though.

We're beyond delighted at Tuesday's wrist replacement op, wrist pain has dropped to zero other than the expected post op ache. He's cheerful and optimistic, even with the minor discomfort from two metal braces, plastered top and bottom, between his knuckles and elbow. Poor lad spent many nights pacing with sickly, horrendous pain his meds (including Tramadol) simply didn't touch, it was so bad one night he thought he hadn't taken meds so I tableted him up realising, as he became incoherent, he'd over medicated, wouldn't let him sleep for hours until I was happy they were out of his system. Boy, that was a tiring one!

When particularly bad we discovered Boots own version of LemSip gave him significant relief.

Since all arthritic pain has gone from his wrist we've also noted a (possibly relative) drop in pain with his lower limbs, feet, ankles, shins, I haven't acupunctured his feet for a week, which is positive, but he continues applying the Piroxicam our doctor prescribes. Although he'd been offerred fusion last year we procrastinated but didn't hesitate once joint replacement was an option. His op time was 10 weeks from consult. Initially he was given a cancellation for 4 weeks after the 19th May consult, but as the wrist clip hadn't been manufactured, he retained his 2nd August date. His physio will be administered in my brothers private clinic.

I'm beyond delighted to see the change in him, and hope this experience/info may help others in a similar situation.

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Thank you for posting this. I have RA in my hands, feet, neck, knees and lower back (I'm only 38). And I'm now looking at some joint replacement as an option as the mixture of pain meds and injection I have to have just don't even take the edge off. It's reassuring having heard your account as I have been really concerned about it.

[Rockette]

I've had RA since I was 17. Predominantly ankles and shoulders, they wouldn't consider an ankle replacement but at age 38 I had my ankle fused. They basically grind down your damaged leg and ankle bones and screw them together. I don't have any joint movement between my toes and knee but I also have no pain. It's been done 11 years now and it has changed my life.

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by mick

I do understand that others may not share our values but we can only speak as we find

Mick

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I appreciate not all have our views Mick, but wonder just how many realise the cost elements one would have to pay for treatment if our NHS became private. We most definitely wouldn't be able to afford treatment and my cancer history would leave me uninsurable, or, at best, with exhorbitant premiums I simply wouldn't be able to afford.

Example, hubs wrist replacement is currently £9,500 at a local private hospital, our local authority use this hospital when needed. Hip replacement, £10500, knee replacement £12145. If not included add in consults and hospital stay et al... costings soon mount up. Whilst one remains fit and healthy cost aspects are rarely thought about, but when the day comes that you need the NHS it will be there, yes, it might be slower than if one were a private patient, but it's still there.

[ChrisS]

Update for those interested in joint replacement. Hubs saw the consultant Monday... they cut off the resin 'plaster' and we were surprised to discover it wasn't metal as we'd thought. Apparently the resin now used is far stronger, and lighter than plaster. His scar was excellent, no swelling, redness or bruising, the wrist knuckle that was huge has gone, apparently there was a minor issue inserting the clip but all worked well eventually... consultant had sewn from within and I'm guessing finished the top segment with super glue. It looked excellent and we'll be surprised if the scar is visible once fully healed. He's resined up for another 4 weeks and then my brother will begin physio. I hope this helps to ease concerns of others undergoing joint replacement soon.

Hubs is really pleased, other than expected post op ache he's had zero pain, which is a massive relief from his previous 24/7 varying degrees of pain level. Our NHS rocks

[mick]

Originally Posted by ChrisS

Update for those interested in joint replacement. Hubs saw the consultant Monday... they cut off the resin 'plaster' and we were surprised to discover it wasn't metal as we'd thought. Apparently the resin now used is far stronger, and lighter than plaster. His scar was excellent, no swelling, redness or bruising, the wrist knuckle that was huge has gone, apparently there was a minor issue inserting the clip but all worked well eventually... consultant had sewn from within and I'm guessing finished the top segment with super glue. It looked excellent and we'll be surprised if the scar is visible once fully healed. He's resined up for another 4 weeks and then my brother will begin physio. I hope this helps to ease concerns of others undergoing joint replacement soon.

Hubs is really pleased, other than expected post op ache he's had zero pain, which is a massive relief from his previous 24/7 varying degrees of pain level. Our NHS rocks

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Morning bonny lass

Great news about Ray - let's hope the healing continues. A bit of heavy digging is called for now to help the process

Gadgey & Joan

[DIBBadmin]

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