Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
So, after waiting 5 months, 2 months because my doctor’s office didn’t send off the referral, and 3 months on the orthopedic surgeon’s wait list, I saw the doctor about my knee.
What I got was a terrible shock! He said I have too many risk factors, like RA and fibromyalgia? What??! All kinds of people with RA get knees and other joints replaced. He told me “No one ever died of an arthritic knee!” Well, not true, since I cannot exercise properly without getting it fixed, and that is going to contribute to my heart getting worse. He admitted it was bad enough to need replacing, too! And 3 months off meds? I don’t think so!
So he wouldn’t do it! I figure the way he kept repeating his line about “No one ever died of an arthritic knee” over and over, that he must have had a patient similar to me, who died, either in surgery, of side effects, or even suicide (He talked about getting depressed afterwards! Say what?? It’s not like I haven’t gone through painful reconstructive surgery, that hasn’t worked, before!)
So, I couldn’t even get back into my family doctor till late next week, to start this whole process over again. With the long waits. My son knows an orthopedic surgeon, but 4 hours plus a ferry ride away. (Victoria, BC). I am considering going to him, rather than wait any longer.
My son’s friend told me RA patients were his “bread and butter” because we need so many joint replacements. He is arrogant, like the doctor I just saw, but at least he will get me in quicker. But all those drives to the coast, to say nothing hotel bills, etc. I may have to contact a friend. Or maybe the doctor will put me up? Hmm! Seems to me like he stayed here once? No, that was when my son came for his wedding, this being a destination wedding area. His wife is a nurse, too! That would be great! LOL
I'm sitting here wondering what planet the "no one ever died from" doctor is from. Not from this galaxy,
"He admitted it was bad enough to need replacing, too!"
You may well be right about the basis of his over-cautiousness.
I once had a doc admit to me that he was over-cautious after losing a patient. Oh, wait. I remember now,.. It was a vet! Hahaha. Not kidding. He said my cat needed a tooth extracted and he wouldn't do it at her age without a heart test that cost a fortune. he went into a whole story of how he once lost an older cat and would never do that again. I went to another vet and he said: "The tooth will fall out on its own!" He said he was over-cautious but I think this guy saw bigger bucks for more tests?
But it could be with the guy you saw.
Good luck!
I feel for you!
Hope some thing works out!!!!
Fingers crossed!!!
Darcie
I haven't heard before of a knee surgeon who wouldn't operate because of RA and Fibromyalgia. One would think that a lot of people who have chronic pain
would have a huge need for a knee replacement. My husband who has osteoarthritis, is a diabetic and is on medication for his heart had his knee replaced last year and it has made such a difference to his walking. He was 79 when he had it done. The surgeon asked his cardiologist to approve the procedure. He had it done with an epidural. I hope you can find someone who will operate and has good patient communication. xxxx
I don’t have diabetes or heart disease. In fact, my heart is strong and my blood pressure low. I just want to be able to exercise again. I’m pretty much sure I will put in the referral to my son’s friend. I can’t wait another 15 months to do local. 6 months is pushing it!
Thanks for all the encouragment, and support. I guess there are some bad docs out there, and I just hit on one!