General Chat

Ok the only op I've ever had was a total hip replacement, The old hip was totally knackered and they made me hang on as long as possible, (longer than most) as I was so young.

There is a risk with every surgery, no matter what it is. Mine wasn't life or death, but certainly I was in a position where I needed to have my quality of life improved.

The surgeon, rightfully and justifyably, brutally pointed out the risks.
1. it could become infected, leaving me with no hip joint at all for a minimum of three months while it was flushed out, therefore confined to a hospital bed.

2. There is a risk of osteoporosis, meaning the joint could collapse, minimal in my case being younger, but still there, leaving me in a wheelchair.

3. They only last 10 years (the official line, as my grandmothers lasted 25 and she walked miles on it), and once he's replaced one replacement, thats it, no more. Wheelchair when replacement no 2 wears out.

4. Dislocation, which could lead to another replacement, if the joint is damaged, leading to wheelchair earlier after 2nd replacement.

The I wieghed up the positives. No more grinding pain, no more waking up every time I moved at night, no more using walking stick and crutches, no more only walking 20ft before stopping, no more strong painkillers like dihydrocodeine and tramadol, no more living on incapacity because I'm unable to work, even in an office.

My God the benefits outwieghed the risks by miles.

Surgeons have to be honest about the risks, brutally so, and that's quite right, but if you look at the statistics, look at the numbers who have had the same operation, and see how many benefited against those who succumbed to the risks.

If your need for improved quality of life doesn't convince you to take the risk, then take a good look at those who had it.

If I get my way, I won't be in a wheelchair before I'm 80, and by then I'll either be pushing up daisies or in a care home anyway. I'll damn well walk there though. I can walk for miles now, with just a minor niggling ache at the beginning of the walk, which goes off.

Very similar view to mine "Walk or Wheels".........I'd rather walk.

What hasn't helped me with this was the Consultant at the Pain Clinic who's attitude was "You're DOOMED". I know I'm in trouble (pain & then some) it is the wait to find out if anything can be done,what the risk is & if there will be a long term benefit or it will trigger problems elsewhere.
Thank you Teresa your positive attitude is the sort of kick up the bottom I need.
I have no answers until I see the Consultant but this has really started to give me the confidence to be more forthright with him.Thank You

I would like the option. Dont know whether I would take it without lots of thought. Pain is so severe that I might as well be dead sometimes. Others its not so bad. Gps dont so far consider it would be any help for me to see a specialist, My spine is crumbling in the lumbar region.

Hi Jean,mines lumbar :(
It really is a pain

The point is Eeyore, what have you really got to lose? If it is inevitable you end up in a wheelchair without surgery, then that alone is worth trying to avoid, even if the only real result is a delay for a few years. That few years can make a whole lot of difference to your life.

I'd say, regardless of the risks, which are present in all surgery, go for it. You'll only regret it if you don't because you won't have tried, you won't know, you'll always ask yourself 'what if?'

It's scary, I know that, but which is scariest? The future with or without the surgery?

It's losing my independence Teresa :(

I'm all for "going for it" but (& unfortunately I've got time to think)if I go with an op & it fails...I'll then be wondering..what if I'd waited.

Thata why I was thinking-what odds do you take the risk at? & how the heck do you decide?

I'd say forget odds and concentrate on the benefits. If you are really worried about failure, then talk it over with your GP who should be able to help out with the statistics. I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised to find that those who have failed surgery are rare, or at worst a hell of a lot less than those with successful surgery.

If you know the name of the op, or the condition you need treatment for, why not do a little research online? Thats what I did, and that helped put my mind at rest.

I understand about the independence bit, I really do, but what you need to do is concentrate on what you CAN do rather than what you can't, and the same applies to how much more you will be able to do after surgery.

I have had another think now. After your results if it were me I would go for the op (if the surgeon agrees to give it a go).

You know what you are facing if you do nothing, the op may just stop any further degeneration and at least prop up the damaged areas so you would be avoid the dreaded wheels.

It can only be your decision, it's all very well for me to waffle on, I refused the spinal fix because of a 40% risk of paralysis BUT after 6 years the spine fused on it's own. That option isn't open to you is it?

Whatever you decide I'll be keeping everything crossed (well those bits that I can cross).

Sue x

Thank you all
If the option is there-I have to go for it.
My GP knows less than me! & it will be "procedures"........like a mining expedition,drilling & propping with scaffolding.(titanium rods)

It's still a wait & see but I do appreciate the confidence boosts & reassurances.

Sue,don't cross everything at the same time-I did once & fell over lol x

if you dont take risks in this life........ you have never lived...GO FOR IT...

So pleased i found this thread , it made good reading and i am soon to be in the postion of shall i or not , snap mine is the lumber region i am on loads of tablets , i have had countless xrays MRI,s bone scans 4 lots of injection in my facet joints 2 lots of nerve endings burnt off and this weekend just gone by trigger point injections in a muscel at the side of my spine ouch did that hurt it caught the scatic nerve which i have had for 5 years now oh plus facet injections in left side the side i have a very bad curvature of the spine , also have Ostoprosis in my spine ,
Now after nearly 5 years of all this going on my consultant has asked me if i would like to go to London to see a top surgeon to see if anything can be done, my consultant has told me that at 61 i am too young not to have anything done i have a postive attitude about things and at this stage in my life i dont want to end up in a wheel chair ,which carry on as i am and i will i dont want to keep having injection and all the other things i have had done so YES i will be going to London i dont have the appointment yet but if i dont go i will be asking myself what if i had gone what would have happened if i dont go i will be asking myself for the rest of my life i wish i had gone if nothing can be done and i am a little doughtfull because of the Ostoprosis then end of story i continue as i am i am on anti depresants i do get high blood presure when i am in pain it comes down when the pain eases .
I am a person who loves my garden decorating housework all sorts of things , but all of thiose things have to be done by my husband and i hate it plus he works as well he is about my age so much for our happy retirement days , i also hate having to depend on DLA i know its there to help us out but i wanted so much to do these things myself , so after me waffling on if i have the chance i will take it if i end up in a wheel chair i was the one that took the risk.
My days are spent making cards doing my family history the odd bit of washing up feed the dog what an exciting way to spend the day
I will be following this thread ,
Take everyone
Margaret from Kent.

Hi Kitty I wish it were that simple ~ the consultant says that the risks ar too high ... he also says I will have a better quality of life if I take the risk ~ at the mo my choice is made but who can predict the future

Footie.......you need to change consultants!!

If he says the risk of you having the operation is too high then advises you to have it to improve your quality of life, I would be worried about his competence to be honest.

Hi Margaret,we're in similar boats-I can't have the injections,there's nowhere to inject in to,it's collapsed.
They were convinced I'd have osteoporosis as well &were a bit miffed when I hadnt,I was rather delighted,my spinal column causes eneough problems & pain on its own.
I'm sick & tired of MRI's,just want this sorted so I can get my life back,having been told not to carry anything heavier than a bag of sugar,it sounds like our lives are equally exciting? :(
I would be very interested to know who you're referred to in London & how you get on if you'd be kind eneough to let me know(feel free to pm me?).

Footie,I'm with Kitty on this,he sounds one very confused Consultant,could you try for a second opinion? x

I'm absolutly pettried of ops so if he says the risks too high I will go with that will pm yu Carla x

Hi Carla
Face your life and its trials
With a quiet mind and courageous smile
And know that courage is what we need
To perform for us all heroic deeds
So with cheer and tons of hope
Go forward and never mope
And burn the little candle's light
To make your surroundings all so bright
And all this can be done with faith
And the gift of courage and love, from me your strength
So come forward and face life's trial
With a quiet mind and courageous smile.

You should know I will be with you, holding your hand, in every step you decide to take. xxx xxx xxx xxx




I'll go now as i am the only Man that has posted on here.

Margaret, you're a year younger than I am and, if I were in your position, which I'm not, bless your heart, I would certainly go for it. We've reached an age that once we thought was old and 'past it', but it's not true! Grab life by the horns and take every opportunity that you can - you probably don't have the energy, but please try. I shall be rooting for you! Keep posting :-)

BEEN READING THIS WITH INTEREST
BECAUSE I KNEW ABOUT
CARLA'S DELEMA
ALSO I WAS ASKED A FEW YEARS AGO ABOUT A BRAIN OP
FOR PD WHEN LAST RESORT,PROBLEM IS THE ONE I WOULD
AGREE TO IS BANNED IN UK
BUT SO SUCESSFULL IN OTHER COUNTRIES ,THEY DO
STEM CELLS AND ARE SO SUCESSFULL THEY PRODUCE MORE BRAN CELLS THAN NEEDED
THIS COUNTRIE ONLY ALLLOWES ELECTROS IN THE BRAIN
YOUR AWAKE DURING OPERATION AND WIRES GO THROUGH YOUR BODY TO BRAIN..........JUST DONT KNOW IF I COULD TAKE IT

Dizzi-I'd faint urgh :(

I think if you really need an op, and the surgeon suggests it then go for it

Good luck x