"Nurses didn't understand my condition"

A lot of the care I received at the Derriford hospital was good when I went in for a knee replacement.

However, some of the nurses handled me with no understanding of my condition. I have severe Rheumatoid Arthritis and after the operation when I needed to get out of bed I had various apparatus to help me. I was repeatedly told by the nurses that I needed to pull down on the equipment, as I have very little grip in my hands I found this very difficult. I found it distressing as I also felt that I was not being heard. The equipment was difficult for me to handle.

Also whilst I was in hospital I needed to take a tablet on Sunday, it’s one I need to take once a week on the same day each week. The instructions are that I should remain upright for an hour after taking it – either sitting or standing. When I told the nurses they would not listen and gave me the tablet when I was lying down. As a result I developed terrible cramp, again they would not hear what I had to say.

Even during my week in rehabilitation I felt that nurses did not understand the condition. I was given other apparatus to use but with the poor grip in my hand I found that I could not use it.

The physiotherapists were very good. They knew how to handle me and the problems I had with my hands and so the difficulty with some of the apparatus. I think the other nurses need to be training treating people with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

I am very grateful for the good care I received, it’s just the lack of understanding of RA that upset me.