My PAO story

[Spam1]

Kate, sorry to hear you are so sore, the recoveries from these ops is just such a rollercoaster, when you think its going ok, another bit starts hurting and bites you in the bum. I think you need to pester a bit more about the date, particularly if its affecting work now. I think we have all been guilty of pushing ourselves too hard at work, because we have to or feel obliged to carry on despite being in loads of pain. Hope you get a date soon, hugs xxx

[oscarsmum]

Thanks Sam, unfortunately its the un op side thats causing most of the problems, but want that date so I can get the ball rolling for the other side, and hopefully get the op side able to take more than its share for a change. How are things with you now?

Rayray, I am having the same problems as you are with back pain after about three hours in bed, by the time I am back on top of the pain its almost time to get up. Does anyone have any suggestions about long lasting pain meds for a night time? (not NSAIDS, and I don't really want to go back on patches at this stage )

Also, does anyone know whether the companys OT is actually on my 'side' or theirs? Not 100% sure I want to admit to bosses how much I am struggling or that more surgeries are on the cards, although my immediate boss is obviously aware and being quite supportive, but am wary of taking it higher at the moment.

Thanks, hope everyone else is doing as ok as poss,

Kate xx

[Rayray]

Hi Kate,

The ony thing I found that really did the trick in the past was Amitriptylene but they do tend to knock you out. I used to take them when I was desperate i.e. about the third day and night of no sleep and immense pain but then was advised to take them daily. They do dull you although everyone reacts differently to them. I found that taking half daily about 7pm was okay and I did get some sleep.

This is so miserable for you and I hope you hear from Mr Witt soon. You mentioned before that you could have had the surgery privately after all (though I may have got this wrong). Could you get this next procedure done privately and then the PAO arranged sooner rather than later? At least a private consultation now will get things booked in for the PAO whether it is on the NHS or privately.

Do take care Kate.

[oscarsmum]

Thanks Rayray, can't afford to be groggy at work-although am due to lack of sleep anyway lol but hey ho, never mind!

I can't get the PAO done privately because our insurance doesn't cover the London clinic for some reason, but I can't get it done until the spring anyway due to the horses-theres too much work with them over the winter. Then I will have to fit in with youngest ones school and GCSEs as we can't leave her at home alone , and hubby doesn't want me to go in without him being there-although maybe he will have to that time, it doesn't bother me anyway,last time when they visited I was always falling asleep so didn't really care if they were there or not. I think I would cope if I knew I definitely have a date to work towards, so hopefully if this date for the steroid ever comes through we can plan the PAO for April ish.

On a different note-why are the secretaries so rude!!! Surely it takes two secs to send a quick email back, even just to say it will be dealt with this month or whatever-it is so annoying just to be ignored!! I know I could ring, but even so when I tried that post-op she didn't ever pick up her phone or return the calls!

Rant over (again )

Kate xx

[Rayray]

We were both really worried when I had the Open and nerve release and was all on my own for five days. Hubbie did visit me on day two but the rest of time, as you say, it made no odds whatsoever as I kept falling asleep. I was glad I wasn't keeping him down there in Cornwall when he could keep himself distracted with work.

The treadmill has arrived so I must now go walkies!

[oscarsmum]

enjoy the treadmill Rayray, let us know how it goes!

[Janet]

Hi Kate

Sam gave me the suggestion of long-acting tramad*l, to take at night. I've been taking it for about a month now and although it doesn't stop the pain completely, I find that it does help. It releases the tram over 12 hours, so I take it at 7pm, and then I know I can drive the next morning if I need to. Mind you, because it's slow-release, it doesn't make me feel out-of-it anyway, and I probably could take it during the day. Maybe it's worth a try. You could do with getting some samples of various things from the GP!

As far as the occupational health department goes, I suppose they are there ultimately to make sure you don't put your health at risk whilst at work. However, they also need to know if you can manage to do the job you were employed for, and I know at our place, they adapt your job role if necessary - if it's a long-term problem. I can totally understand your reservations about speaking to them though. You would hope that they would be on your side and be totally supportive, but you never know what might happen.

These secretaries are a nuisance, aren't they?!? The only good one I've had experience of is the current one. Maybe you should just pester them daily!! You've tried being patient and that hasn't worked.

Enjoy the treadmill Rayray!!

Take care Kate x

[Dee34]

Kate,

have you checked if he could see you privately somewhere else ? I'm sure he does consult privately elsewhere - might be worth ringing his sec at the London clinic to ask. Just a thought..

Occ Health should be on your side and should be able to help with adapting the workplace if you need to and making sure your employer complies with the disability discrimination act etc..

Oh and lastly..

big HUGS from me.. missed the group hug the other day. Also got me thinking that it would be lovely to try and arrange our meet up / spa day / group hug in person session. I failed dismally at organising something last time but what does everyone think ? When would be a good time ?

D x

[oscarsmum]

Hi Dee ,

Thanks for the hug! I will go along with whatever you all decide re meeting up, and you didn't fail last time, we all did ,lol.

My insurance actually rang his secretary for me, and he doesn't work out from anywhere else privately, also he flags up as one of the few consultants that exceeds their limits with some procedures-(bet your life thats the PAO! ) as they can charge whatever they like, so don't think I would dare risk a huge bill . It seems strange to me, as UCLH has a private floor so would have though he would work privately from there too, but I'm not too bothered about going NHS, as long as I have him-even tho I remember swearing I would never, ever spend another night in UCLH lol! Need to eat those words as I survived it once so am sure I will again, and getting sorted is the main thing (plus the cash benefits per nights stay help offset being off sick ).

Hope you are all doing ok, and have a good weekend

Kate xx

[Janet]

That's a bummer that you couldn't have the surgery privately Kate. You've got to ring the secretary!!! We're well into October and you should have heard something by now. You could have had the steroid injection under ultrasound control ages ago, as it doesn't need to be done under GA, even if they couldn't fit you in for the screw removal for a while.

Dee, I'm happy to go with anything for our meet-up too. Hopefully , if you get a date soon Kate, we can work around that, as I don't *think* anyone else is waiting for surgery in the near future, are they? Apologies if I've forgotten anyone's surgery coming up! Should we aim for the Midlands somewhere?