That hip again

Oh dear Luckygirl. Sorry to hear this. So frustrating for you. Can you phone your consultant's secretary? Sometimes they can lean on consultants. Try crying? Pathetic I know but my old secretary was a very kind lady and would often take up the cudgels on a patient's behalf. Don't tell anyone I said so!!

All I got from the secretary was that the notes were on his desk. I feel completely impotent here - that is what is so frustrating. I am very worried that it might be infection, which will require more surgery - it is hard to have this hanging over my head, as the previous surgery made me so ill.

Phone every day. Be a pain in the neck. The squeaky wheel gets oiled first. You've paid, you've waited its not fair to you. I know its very difficult to be pushy though. Good luck.

It's slightly difficult as this consultant is an old colleague (and also patient) of my OH. This inhibits me from making the right noises. It is also difficult as after the original surgery I suffered a serious depression out of the blue - I really have felt since that my reports of pain are being treated casually and put down to the depression. It is very wrong I know, but I can see what they are thinking and it is enormously exasperating. I think they are hoping that I will go away. But what can I do?

Keep going back? I'm very sorry you're in this situation.

I can see where you are coming from Lucky. I know that DH always felt slightly intimidated by having the wife/husband of a colleague as a patient and I find myself apologising if something goes wrong!

Nevertheless, you must make a nuisance of yourself - it has gone on for too long and why isn't he doing his best to stop you becoming depressed again.

Thanks kitty and jane for your posts. I will gird up my loins and tackleit all again after Christmas.

A merry yule to you.

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Reported.

And I wish you good fortune in your efforts Luckygirl.

I'm being passed from pillar to post about my hip/knee/foot problem, although it's not nearly as bad as yours. I do get the feeling that an awful lot of time is being wasted putting patients off rather than just getting on with it.

There has been nothing in the post since I last posted. I will wait and see what happens tomorrow.

Hope it goes as you hope luckygirl. Be assertive!
I've got my appt on Friday. I plan to write a list of questions and concerns so I'll feel that I'm surer of the way ahead and don't feel hustled through and out and left wondering if the right thing is happening!

I could copy and paste my original post here as nothing has changed, except that it is now 2 months from seeing the ortho reg and not one.

I gave them over Christmas and New Year, thinking I would get nowhere then, and rang last Weds. All the same stuff all over again.....imaging have had no referral; consultant ortho's secretary has no knowledge of what is going on but dug out a GP letter (which has not got to me, although it should)saying that a bone scan was to be arranged. She said she would sort it out and ring me back - did she?.......I leave you to guess.

Yesterday I could barely walk in the evening. I had been looking after GS (nearly 2) all day, been out for a slow walk, brought in logs, cooked etc. - in other words lived normally although in some discomfort - then by the evening I can barely get out of the chair for pain, and then only hobble across the room.

I am about to make an appointment with the GP to see what they can do, although they have written on my behalf before.

Oh dear. Sorry to hear that. Given that you are in such pain would you consider a private orthopaedic consultation?

Sorry to hear that you're in such pain luckygirl, and how frustrating to feel that that the NHS wheels aren't turning at all not even slowly. From what you've said in other posts you've got enough to negotiate in family life without pain and such limited movement. Hope things start to happen when your GP writes on your behalf x

Thanks - I will ring surgery on Monday and ask for a phone consultation.

Luckygirl I would not pay for a private consultation- I would keep nagging his secretary, if necessary on a daily basis. This is no way to treat an ex private patient.

Tell the secretary that you will not be going anywhere anytime soon and you have all the time in the world to keep in touch with her until the consultant gets things moving. If you moan on long enough about the quality of your life suffering, he may do something about it if only to get rid of you.

Thanks folks. I am hoping that the GP will be able to suggest something - maybe she could ring the secretary this time rather than a letter.

The worry is that the bone scan showed abnormal activity that could be infection in the femur (which is where the worst of the pain is) and that this second elusive bone scan was to check whether this was the case by seeing how it had progressed. It is hard because obviously I am very worried that it might be infection as the only treatment for this is 2 further lots of the same surgery - I was so ill after the initial op that this is very difficult to contemplate.

You absolutely have to lean on that consultant via every means possible. I suggested a private consultation as I thought she was pretty desperate!

I appreciate the reasons Jane but the cost does not stop there. If she needs a scan, it is difficult now to switch to NHS for treatment like MRI scans or even a simple xray and scans are expensive.

I am getting desperate, but cannot afford all the tests etc. If I thought a private consultation would help I would do it - but I know that what is needed is this bone scan and no way can I afford that.

Quick google -private bone density scan ave cost £65. Just to give you an idea to bear in mind in case you end up on a long waiting list.

Jane my thoughts were going more towards an MRI scan which in my neck of the woods costs £850 and more, depending on where it is done.

I think it's very unprofessional of the surgeon to have deliberately avoided you on the day. He obviously can't admit that all is not well - you don't suggest that he did anything wrong during surgery so I don't understand why he can't face you.

Can you not ask your GP for a referral to someone else? I would have lost all faith in this man by now.