"Crying out for a better quality of life"

I was diagnosed with RA approximately 4 years ago after many bad episodes of pain where i was treated as having sciatica.  From then on my hips have become increasingly worse.  I have extremely limited movement in my hips and i cannot open my legs.  I am only in my 40s. This has affected my personal life and mental health significantly, making it hard to have intimate relationships.  I have excruciating pain and am prescribed strong painkillers. 

Following many xrays and MRIs I was seen by an orthopaedic surgeon at Victoria Hosital, Kirkcaldy,  They examined my xrays/MRI and their recommendation was that double hip replacement was the only option to improve my pain and quality of life.  They referred me onto a different orthopaedic surgeon. 

This surgeon's manner was cold, they compared my hips to a very elderly persons xray but advised they were not bad enough to operate, they advised the restriction was not a reason to carry out the surgery and said there had been no deterioration (my last xray was a year prior so unsure how they could make that statement). My physio queried if they had arranged another Xray, which they hadn't, so the physio did so. The surgeon never once asked about my pain, quality of life or mental health.  I had already taken part in physio through Rheumatology and had guided injections of steroid into the pelvis, both of which had not helped and which they were advised of. 

Following the surgeon's update, my RA consultant spoke with a radiologist i believe in Edinburgh who agreed with the first surgeon, that double hip replacement is required. My extensive physio notes show that they are unable to help me given how bad my hips are.  Despite this, the surgeon advised i was to have more injections into the hip, and that if this helped then it would mean there is inflammation linked to my RA and more medication would need to be considered. They also advised i should have advanced physio. 

I waited and waited and had to chase this up myself. I finally received more injections, i received a follow up call from the surgeon to enquire if i had felt any benefit, again i advised no. They stated they had used this as a diagnostic and if these had not helped it indicated surgery would not work. This is a complete contradiction to what they had previously said.

I met with my physio again who assessed me and advised my restriction is so severe that physio will not help, their notes will advise of how bad my hips are.  I made a comment that i felt about 90 years old, where they replied they have treated very elderly patients with far more movement than me.  My previous Rheumatoid consultant and physio have been nothing but caring and compassionate with me and i cannot thank them enough. But I am only in my 40s, and i am in daily pain.  I am not an elderly woman but my quality of life is that of one. I cannot even sit down without extreme pain, if i sit down for even a short period of time i struggle to get up and cannot even straighten my posture due to the pain.

I have done everything that has been asked of me, took part in physio, ongoing injections but i feel is the time to raise my concerns with the lack of compassion from the surgeon and the complete contradictory information i have been given.  I feel the money the NHS is spending on guided injections, physio, pain meds etc, would be better spent in considering me for surgery.  

I would like my story published as i feel like i have went around in circles for years now.  I am a young woman that is crying out for a better quality of life and not have to live in daily pain.