Knee trouble

PrincessFiona

KBslittlesis said:

Having been sporty all my life I never had knee issues.
All my siblings, bar one (who was the least sporty of us) have had knee replacements (all much older than me).
Since becoming a farmer (& contracting Lyme) my sports are just walking, yoga & open water swimming (tried running on the treadmill again but I found it utterly boring).
Then last winter I took part in a musical. It meant wearing heels for the first time in years. Half way through the performances (7 nights on the spin) my right knee swelled up really badly.
Carried on, thought it would go away but it got worse.
I couldn’t kneel down anymore, it was burning up at night & swimming was really hurting (breaststroke).
I was recommended a physio (we have to pay €50 to visit a GP). Reckons I’ve aggravated an old injury, possibly the start of arthritis but thinks he can sort it out. Had acupuncture (which helped enormously with the swelling) & has given me exercises (I can share if you want them).
I have no pain at night now & it’s slowly getting better.

A good physio should be able to help.

But it may also be worth getting the bloods done 👍🏼

Gosh, didn't know you had to pay (and so much) to see a GP in the RoI. Just reading up on it - and 100 Euros to go to A&E without a referral?

what is the general consensus in the RoI on this? Does it mean people only go if they need to and/or does it mean some people don't seek medical help that need it because of the cost?

Appreciate this may result in a new thread but I really didn't know about this in RoI

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nhs-charge-fee-reform-patients-pay-gp-health-service-uk-zknv7l0ff

Curb_It

swords_alive said:

oohaahmortimer said:

Done physio for a while after knee puffed up last august  having played cricket ,didn’t work, so went to knee/leg specialist (same bloke who done my Achilles ten years back)
MRI scan (uuuurgh claustrophobic small panic wibble even though head out of tube ) and have torn meniscus 
so arthroscopy tomorrow , gone private paying myself think £4.3k 🤮 prolly nearer 5k with scan and consultancy .
had arthroscopy 16 years ago and surgeon said there was arthritis in there but from scan this fella said doesn’t look like that’s returned but will confirm when he has a look around knee tomorrow .
Fcuk getting old (52) 

Good luck oohaah. Is that local anaesthetic for arthroscopy? 

Ill answer, it's general but a day case and you are in and out in a few hours.  Not much pain after surgery either just got to take it easy... my surgeon made me watch the video of mine at our consultation after.  Fascinating watching him shave off and hoover up bits of my knee.  

Lordflashheart

I’m 53 in June - played a lot of football from age of 5 until I was 36 - stopped at 36, because an arsehole of an opposition goalkeeper did a 2 footed challenge on me, which nearly tore my medial ligament in half - tried a couple of times to play again, but no good

Roll forward to recent years, I am finding that in cold wet weather my right knee aches like hell, especially in my medial ligament, but this winter the cartilage is also playing me up

Cambridge away a few weeks back, it was cold and a bit damp, stupidly we stopped for a pint on way back to train station, realised we would miss the train, my mates decide to jog to the station - I looked like an 80 year old cripple by the time we got to the train

Its definitely - I think - a mix of having played a lot of sport when young, getting an injury, and my age

If I hadn’t of done the sport / injury bit, I doubt I would be having these problems

I fear that in a few years time I will need my right knee looked at

My left knee is fine

KBslittlesis

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

Having been sporty all my life I never had knee issues.
All my siblings, bar one (who was the least sporty of us) have had knee replacements (all much older than me).
Since becoming a farmer (& contracting Lyme) my sports are just walking, yoga & open water swimming (tried running on the treadmill again but I found it utterly boring).
Then last winter I took part in a musical. It meant wearing heels for the first time in years. Half way through the performances (7 nights on the spin) my right knee swelled up really badly.
Carried on, thought it would go away but it got worse.
I couldn’t kneel down anymore, it was burning up at night & swimming was really hurting (breaststroke).
I was recommended a physio (we have to pay €50 to visit a GP). Reckons I’ve aggravated an old injury, possibly the start of arthritis but thinks he can sort it out. Had acupuncture (which helped enormously with the swelling) & has given me exercises (I can share if you want them).
I have no pain at night now & it’s slowly getting better.

A good physio should be able to help.

But it may also be worth getting the bloods done 👍🏼

Gosh, didn't know you had to pay (and so much) to see a GP in the RoI. Just reading up on it - and 100 Euros to go to A&E without a referral?

what is the general consensus in the RoI on this? Does it mean people only go if they need to and/or does it mean some people don't seek medical help that need it because of the cost?

Appreciate this may result in a new thread but I really didn't know about this in RoI

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nhs-charge-fee-reform-patients-pay-gp-health-service-uk-zknv7l0ff

Those in need & kids have medical cards so don’t pay.
Some have private insurance.
I’d rather keep my money in savings & take my chances.
When I was ill & needed tests (I had every test under the sun, scans, x-rays etc) all I had to pay for was a day bed I took up when I had a lumber puncture (€80) & the antibiotics when the only positive test came back as Lyme.
It works out they can only charge you €750 a year if you require treatment, so as long as I have savings, that’s cheaper than private. But I’ll have to go on waiting lists for operations etc (if I do need my knee replaced eventually).
I really do think the charges for GP’s & A&E visits without referral are a good idea. I never have to wait for an appointment. I can even choose to have a phone appointment (€35). And it really isn’t difficult to get a referral to A&E (in my experience).
But knowing I had to pay to see my GP meant I was more inclined to go straight to a qualified physio with my problem & give him €80 as the GP would have probably referred me to him anyway 🤷‍♀️

Billy_Mix

Was a bit younger than you at the time but I cut back on instant coffee, to almost none and the pain in both knees walking down stairs disappeared for years
Mate of mine been arthritic his whole adult life and his symptoms were significantly alleviated also by cutting out instant coffee.  

PrincessFiona

KBslittlesis said:

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

Having been sporty all my life I never had knee issues.
All my siblings, bar one (who was the least sporty of us) have had knee replacements (all much older than me).
Since becoming a farmer (& contracting Lyme) my sports are just walking, yoga & open water swimming (tried running on the treadmill again but I found it utterly boring).
Then last winter I took part in a musical. It meant wearing heels for the first time in years. Half way through the performances (7 nights on the spin) my right knee swelled up really badly.
Carried on, thought it would go away but it got worse.
I couldn’t kneel down anymore, it was burning up at night & swimming was really hurting (breaststroke).
I was recommended a physio (we have to pay €50 to visit a GP). Reckons I’ve aggravated an old injury, possibly the start of arthritis but thinks he can sort it out. Had acupuncture (which helped enormously with the swelling) & has given me exercises (I can share if you want them).
I have no pain at night now & it’s slowly getting better.

A good physio should be able to help.

But it may also be worth getting the bloods done 👍🏼

Gosh, didn't know you had to pay (and so much) to see a GP in the RoI. Just reading up on it - and 100 Euros to go to A&E without a referral?

what is the general consensus in the RoI on this? Does it mean people only go if they need to and/or does it mean some people don't seek medical help that need it because of the cost?

Appreciate this may result in a new thread but I really didn't know about this in RoI

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nhs-charge-fee-reform-patients-pay-gp-health-service-uk-zknv7l0ff

Those in need & kids have medical cards so don’t pay.
Some have private insurance.
I’d rather keep my money in savings & take my chances.
When I was ill & needed tests (I had every test under the sun, scans, x-rays etc) all I had to pay for was a day bed I took up when I had a lumber puncture (€80) & the antibiotics when the only positive test came back as Lyme.
It works out they can only charge you €750 a year if you require treatment, so as long as I have savings, that’s cheaper than private. But I’ll have to go on waiting lists for operations etc (if I do need my knee replaced eventually).
I really do think the charges for GP’s & A&E visits without referral are a good idea. I never have to wait for an appointment. I can even choose to have a phone appointment (€35). And it really isn’t difficult to get a referral to A&E (in my experience).
But knowing I had to pay to see my GP meant I was more inclined to go straight to a qualified physio with my problem & give him €80 as the GP would have probably referred me to him anyway 🤷‍♀️

Sorry to heat about the Lyme disease?

Are the charges anything to do with nationality, with you being UK based before or is that for everyone?

Food for thought re the NHS. Having witnessed people in A & E for things like a sore throat and a splinter. And I once saw someone getting out of an ambulance with a tny cut that had a plaster on it when I'd driven myself to Lewisham (spent ages funding parking) when I'd been poked in the eye by a branch gardening!

Anything that is, free an be easily taken for granted and 'mis-used' 

swords_alive

Billy_Mix said:

Was a bit younger than you at the time but I cut back on instant coffee, to almost none and the pain in both knees walking down stairs disappeared for years
Mate of mine been arthritic his whole adult life and his symptoms were significantly alleviated also by cutting out instant coffee.  

Interesting. I suspected pearl barley was causing me inflammation in the knees a while back among other possible problems. Allergy test was inconclusive as barley was the one thing missing in the testers kit when i eventually got tested.

I am upping oily fish and cutting back on crisps/salt and sugar currently to see if that helps.

CatAddick

Lordflashheart said:

I’m 53 in June - played a lot of football from age of 5 until I was 36 - stopped at 36, because an arsehole of an opposition goalkeeper did a 2 footed challenge on me, which nearly tore my medial ligament in half - tried a couple of times to play again, but no good

Roll forward to recent years, I am finding that in cold wet weather my right knee aches like hell, especially in my medial ligament, but this winter the cartilage is also playing me up

Cambridge away a few weeks back, it was cold and a bit damp, stupidly we stopped for a pint on way back to train station, realised we would miss the train, my mates decide to jog to the station - I looked like an 80 year old cripple by the time we got to the train

Its definitely - I think - a mix of having played a lot of sport when young, getting an injury, and my age

If I hadn’t of done the sport / injury bit, I doubt I would be having these problems

I fear that in a few years time I will need my right knee looked at

My left knee is fine

Agree with the injury thing.  Season before I gave up, I got clattered on the inside of my left knee which bruised a lot of ligaments.  Despite the x-rays showing similar degradation in the cartilage in both knees, the left normally hurts more.  I also have flat feet which I think puts additional lateral strain on the joint (the cartilage is definitely thinner on the inside).  As an interesting aside, when I've had the steroid injection I've only ever had the left injected but it also seems to help pain in the right too - I'm assuming it's because it is improving my use of the left knee and putting less strain on the right

KBslittlesis

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

Having been sporty all my life I never had knee issues.
All my siblings, bar one (who was the least sporty of us) have had knee replacements (all much older than me).
Since becoming a farmer (& contracting Lyme) my sports are just walking, yoga & open water swimming (tried running on the treadmill again but I found it utterly boring).
Then last winter I took part in a musical. It meant wearing heels for the first time in years. Half way through the performances (7 nights on the spin) my right knee swelled up really badly.
Carried on, thought it would go away but it got worse.
I couldn’t kneel down anymore, it was burning up at night & swimming was really hurting (breaststroke).
I was recommended a physio (we have to pay €50 to visit a GP). Reckons I’ve aggravated an old injury, possibly the start of arthritis but thinks he can sort it out. Had acupuncture (which helped enormously with the swelling) & has given me exercises (I can share if you want them).
I have no pain at night now & it’s slowly getting better.

A good physio should be able to help.

But it may also be worth getting the bloods done 👍🏼

Gosh, didn't know you had to pay (and so much) to see a GP in the RoI. Just reading up on it - and 100 Euros to go to A&E without a referral?

what is the general consensus in the RoI on this? Does it mean people only go if they need to and/or does it mean some people don't seek medical help that need it because of the cost?

Appreciate this may result in a new thread but I really didn't know about this in RoI

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nhs-charge-fee-reform-patients-pay-gp-health-service-uk-zknv7l0ff

Those in need & kids have medical cards so don’t pay.
Some have private insurance.
I’d rather keep my money in savings & take my chances.
When I was ill & needed tests (I had every test under the sun, scans, x-rays etc) all I had to pay for was a day bed I took up when I had a lumber puncture (€80) & the antibiotics when the only positive test came back as Lyme.
It works out they can only charge you €750 a year if you require treatment, so as long as I have savings, that’s cheaper than private. But I’ll have to go on waiting lists for operations etc (if I do need my knee replaced eventually).
I really do think the charges for GP’s & A&E visits without referral are a good idea. I never have to wait for an appointment. I can even choose to have a phone appointment (€35). And it really isn’t difficult to get a referral to A&E (in my experience).
But knowing I had to pay to see my GP meant I was more inclined to go straight to a qualified physio with my problem & give him €80 as the GP would have probably referred me to him anyway 🤷‍♀️

Sorry to heat about the Lyme disease?

Are the charges anything to do with nationality, with you being UK based before or is that for everyone?

Food for thought re the NHS. Having witnessed people in A & E for things like a sore throat and a splinter. And I once saw someone getting out of an ambulance with a tny cut that had a plaster on it when I'd driven myself to Lewisham (spent ages funding parking) when I'd been poked in the eye by a branch gardening!

Anything that is, free an be easily taken for granted and 'mis-used' 

I believe we can get a medical card being UK citizens but I don’t see why we should tbh.
We’ll claim one when we get to pension age, until then we’ll pay our way.

There are still issues with trollies in corridors in the winter so it’s not perfect.

KBslittlesis

swords_alive said:

Billy_Mix said:

Was a bit younger than you at the time but I cut back on instant coffee, to almost none and the pain in both knees walking down stairs disappeared for years
Mate of mine been arthritic his whole adult life and his symptoms were significantly alleviated also by cutting out instant coffee.  

Interesting. I suspected pearl barley was causing me inflammation in the knees a while back among other possible problems. Allergy test was inconclusive as barley was the one thing missing in the testers kit when i eventually got tested.

I am upping oily fish and cutting back on crisps/salt and sugar currently to see if that helps.

Inflammation loves sugar.
I completely cut that out when I contracted Lyme & it helped immensely.
So I’ve done that again & cut out alcohol (which may go out the window when I’m over for the Morecambe game).
Just back from my first ‘off road’ walk since seeing the physio a month ago and I had no pain at all 🙏🏻😊

Redvaliant

Has anyone used a knee massager like this? https://kneegenics.com/products/heated-knee-massager?variant=40758951739531&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw__ihBhADEiwAXEazJuo-olXN2apg3-VMCMrZQAVkuyHianPCmYeMz3fEZpI7i3z1SKvTbxoCdW4QAvD_BwE

If so, any good? 

PrincessFiona

KBslittlesis said:

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

Having been sporty all my life I never had knee issues.
All my siblings, bar one (who was the least sporty of us) have had knee replacements (all much older than me).
Since becoming a farmer (& contracting Lyme) my sports are just walking, yoga & open water swimming (tried running on the treadmill again but I found it utterly boring).
Then last winter I took part in a musical. It meant wearing heels for the first time in years. Half way through the performances (7 nights on the spin) my right knee swelled up really badly.
Carried on, thought it would go away but it got worse.
I couldn’t kneel down anymore, it was burning up at night & swimming was really hurting (breaststroke).
I was recommended a physio (we have to pay €50 to visit a GP). Reckons I’ve aggravated an old injury, possibly the start of arthritis but thinks he can sort it out. Had acupuncture (which helped enormously with the swelling) & has given me exercises (I can share if you want them).
I have no pain at night now & it’s slowly getting better.

A good physio should be able to help.

But it may also be worth getting the bloods done 👍🏼

Gosh, didn't know you had to pay (and so much) to see a GP in the RoI. Just reading up on it - and 100 Euros to go to A&E without a referral?

what is the general consensus in the RoI on this? Does it mean people only go if they need to and/or does it mean some people don't seek medical help that need it because of the cost?

Appreciate this may result in a new thread but I really didn't know about this in RoI

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nhs-charge-fee-reform-patients-pay-gp-health-service-uk-zknv7l0ff

Those in need & kids have medical cards so don’t pay.
Some have private insurance.
I’d rather keep my money in savings & take my chances.
When I was ill & needed tests (I had every test under the sun, scans, x-rays etc) all I had to pay for was a day bed I took up when I had a lumber puncture (€80) & the antibiotics when the only positive test came back as Lyme.
It works out they can only charge you €750 a year if you require treatment, so as long as I have savings, that’s cheaper than private. But I’ll have to go on waiting lists for operations etc (if I do need my knee replaced eventually).
I really do think the charges for GP’s & A&E visits without referral are a good idea. I never have to wait for an appointment. I can even choose to have a phone appointment (€35). And it really isn’t difficult to get a referral to A&E (in my experience).
But knowing I had to pay to see my GP meant I was more inclined to go straight to a qualified physio with my problem & give him €80 as the GP would have probably referred me to him anyway 🤷‍♀️

Sorry to heat about the Lyme disease?

Are the charges anything to do with nationality, with you being UK based before or is that for everyone?

Food for thought re the NHS. Having witnessed people in A & E for things like a sore throat and a splinter. And I once saw someone getting out of an ambulance with a tny cut that had a plaster on it when I'd driven myself to Lewisham (spent ages funding parking) when I'd been poked in the eye by a branch gardening!

Anything that is, free an be easily taken for granted and 'mis-used' 

I believe we can get a medical card being UK citizens but I don’t see why we should tbh.
We’ll claim one when we get to pension age, until then we’ll pay our way.

There are still issues with trollies in corridors in the winter so it’s not perfect.

Do RoI citizens have to pay the same to see a GP and go to A&E

KBslittlesis

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

Having been sporty all my life I never had knee issues.
All my siblings, bar one (who was the least sporty of us) have had knee replacements (all much older than me).
Since becoming a farmer (& contracting Lyme) my sports are just walking, yoga & open water swimming (tried running on the treadmill again but I found it utterly boring).
Then last winter I took part in a musical. It meant wearing heels for the first time in years. Half way through the performances (7 nights on the spin) my right knee swelled up really badly.
Carried on, thought it would go away but it got worse.
I couldn’t kneel down anymore, it was burning up at night & swimming was really hurting (breaststroke).
I was recommended a physio (we have to pay €50 to visit a GP). Reckons I’ve aggravated an old injury, possibly the start of arthritis but thinks he can sort it out. Had acupuncture (which helped enormously with the swelling) & has given me exercises (I can share if you want them).
I have no pain at night now & it’s slowly getting better.

A good physio should be able to help.

But it may also be worth getting the bloods done 👍🏼

Gosh, didn't know you had to pay (and so much) to see a GP in the RoI. Just reading up on it - and 100 Euros to go to A&E without a referral?

what is the general consensus in the RoI on this? Does it mean people only go if they need to and/or does it mean some people don't seek medical help that need it because of the cost?

Appreciate this may result in a new thread but I really didn't know about this in RoI

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nhs-charge-fee-reform-patients-pay-gp-health-service-uk-zknv7l0ff

Those in need & kids have medical cards so don’t pay.
Some have private insurance.
I’d rather keep my money in savings & take my chances.
When I was ill & needed tests (I had every test under the sun, scans, x-rays etc) all I had to pay for was a day bed I took up when I had a lumber puncture (€80) & the antibiotics when the only positive test came back as Lyme.
It works out they can only charge you €750 a year if you require treatment, so as long as I have savings, that’s cheaper than private. But I’ll have to go on waiting lists for operations etc (if I do need my knee replaced eventually).
I really do think the charges for GP’s & A&E visits without referral are a good idea. I never have to wait for an appointment. I can even choose to have a phone appointment (€35). And it really isn’t difficult to get a referral to A&E (in my experience).
But knowing I had to pay to see my GP meant I was more inclined to go straight to a qualified physio with my problem & give him €80 as the GP would have probably referred me to him anyway 🤷‍♀️

Sorry to heat about the Lyme disease?

Are the charges anything to do with nationality, with you being UK based before or is that for everyone?

Food for thought re the NHS. Having witnessed people in A & E for things like a sore throat and a splinter. And I once saw someone getting out of an ambulance with a tny cut that had a plaster on it when I'd driven myself to Lewisham (spent ages funding parking) when I'd been poked in the eye by a branch gardening!

Anything that is, free an be easily taken for granted and 'mis-used' 

I believe we can get a medical card being UK citizens but I don’t see why we should tbh.
We’ll claim one when we get to pension age, until then we’ll pay our way.

There are still issues with trollies in corridors in the winter so it’s not perfect.

Do RoI citizens have to pay the same to see a GP and go to A&E

Yes 👍🏼 

PrincessFiona

KBslittlesis said:

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

Having been sporty all my life I never had knee issues.
All my siblings, bar one (who was the least sporty of us) have had knee replacements (all much older than me).
Since becoming a farmer (& contracting Lyme) my sports are just walking, yoga & open water swimming (tried running on the treadmill again but I found it utterly boring).
Then last winter I took part in a musical. It meant wearing heels for the first time in years. Half way through the performances (7 nights on the spin) my right knee swelled up really badly.
Carried on, thought it would go away but it got worse.
I couldn’t kneel down anymore, it was burning up at night & swimming was really hurting (breaststroke).
I was recommended a physio (we have to pay €50 to visit a GP). Reckons I’ve aggravated an old injury, possibly the start of arthritis but thinks he can sort it out. Had acupuncture (which helped enormously with the swelling) & has given me exercises (I can share if you want them).
I have no pain at night now & it’s slowly getting better.

A good physio should be able to help.

But it may also be worth getting the bloods done 👍🏼

Gosh, didn't know you had to pay (and so much) to see a GP in the RoI. Just reading up on it - and 100 Euros to go to A&E without a referral?

what is the general consensus in the RoI on this? Does it mean people only go if they need to and/or does it mean some people don't seek medical help that need it because of the cost?

Appreciate this may result in a new thread but I really didn't know about this in RoI

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nhs-charge-fee-reform-patients-pay-gp-health-service-uk-zknv7l0ff

Those in need & kids have medical cards so don’t pay.
Some have private insurance.
I’d rather keep my money in savings & take my chances.
When I was ill & needed tests (I had every test under the sun, scans, x-rays etc) all I had to pay for was a day bed I took up when I had a lumber puncture (€80) & the antibiotics when the only positive test came back as Lyme.
It works out they can only charge you €750 a year if you require treatment, so as long as I have savings, that’s cheaper than private. But I’ll have to go on waiting lists for operations etc (if I do need my knee replaced eventually).
I really do think the charges for GP’s & A&E visits without referral are a good idea. I never have to wait for an appointment. I can even choose to have a phone appointment (€35). And it really isn’t difficult to get a referral to A&E (in my experience).
But knowing I had to pay to see my GP meant I was more inclined to go straight to a qualified physio with my problem & give him €80 as the GP would have probably referred me to him anyway 🤷‍♀️

Sorry to heat about the Lyme disease?

Are the charges anything to do with nationality, with you being UK based before or is that for everyone?

Food for thought re the NHS. Having witnessed people in A & E for things like a sore throat and a splinter. And I once saw someone getting out of an ambulance with a tny cut that had a plaster on it when I'd driven myself to Lewisham (spent ages funding parking) when I'd been poked in the eye by a branch gardening!

Anything that is, free an be easily taken for granted and 'mis-used' 

I believe we can get a medical card being UK citizens but I don’t see why we should tbh.
We’ll claim one when we get to pension age, until then we’ll pay our way.

There are still issues with trollies in corridors in the winter so it’s not perfect.

Do RoI citizens have to pay the same to see a GP and go to A&E

Yes 👍🏼 

Interesting, as I wasn't aware. Do 
Nt think suggesting that would go down well in the UK! 

KBslittlesis

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

Having been sporty all my life I never had knee issues.
All my siblings, bar one (who was the least sporty of us) have had knee replacements (all much older than me).
Since becoming a farmer (& contracting Lyme) my sports are just walking, yoga & open water swimming (tried running on the treadmill again but I found it utterly boring).
Then last winter I took part in a musical. It meant wearing heels for the first time in years. Half way through the performances (7 nights on the spin) my right knee swelled up really badly.
Carried on, thought it would go away but it got worse.
I couldn’t kneel down anymore, it was burning up at night & swimming was really hurting (breaststroke).
I was recommended a physio (we have to pay €50 to visit a GP). Reckons I’ve aggravated an old injury, possibly the start of arthritis but thinks he can sort it out. Had acupuncture (which helped enormously with the swelling) & has given me exercises (I can share if you want them).
I have no pain at night now & it’s slowly getting better.

A good physio should be able to help.

But it may also be worth getting the bloods done 👍🏼

Gosh, didn't know you had to pay (and so much) to see a GP in the RoI. Just reading up on it - and 100 Euros to go to A&E without a referral?

what is the general consensus in the RoI on this? Does it mean people only go if they need to and/or does it mean some people don't seek medical help that need it because of the cost?

Appreciate this may result in a new thread but I really didn't know about this in RoI

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nhs-charge-fee-reform-patients-pay-gp-health-service-uk-zknv7l0ff

Those in need & kids have medical cards so don’t pay.
Some have private insurance.
I’d rather keep my money in savings & take my chances.
When I was ill & needed tests (I had every test under the sun, scans, x-rays etc) all I had to pay for was a day bed I took up when I had a lumber puncture (€80) & the antibiotics when the only positive test came back as Lyme.
It works out they can only charge you €750 a year if you require treatment, so as long as I have savings, that’s cheaper than private. But I’ll have to go on waiting lists for operations etc (if I do need my knee replaced eventually).
I really do think the charges for GP’s & A&E visits without referral are a good idea. I never have to wait for an appointment. I can even choose to have a phone appointment (€35). And it really isn’t difficult to get a referral to A&E (in my experience).
But knowing I had to pay to see my GP meant I was more inclined to go straight to a qualified physio with my problem & give him €80 as the GP would have probably referred me to him anyway 🤷‍♀️

Sorry to heat about the Lyme disease?

Are the charges anything to do with nationality, with you being UK based before or is that for everyone?

Food for thought re the NHS. Having witnessed people in A & E for things like a sore throat and a splinter. And I once saw someone getting out of an ambulance with a tny cut that had a plaster on it when I'd driven myself to Lewisham (spent ages funding parking) when I'd been poked in the eye by a branch gardening!

Anything that is, free an be easily taken for granted and 'mis-used' 

I believe we can get a medical card being UK citizens but I don’t see why we should tbh.
We’ll claim one when we get to pension age, until then we’ll pay our way.

There are still issues with trollies in corridors in the winter so it’s not perfect.

Do RoI citizens have to pay the same to see a GP and go to A&E

Yes 👍🏼 

Interesting, as I wasn't aware. Do 
Nt think suggesting that would go down well in the UK! 

I know a few GP’s would, lots of no show appointments is driving them bonkers.

PrincessFiona

KBslittlesis said:

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

PrincessFiona said:

KBslittlesis said:

Having been sporty all my life I never had knee issues.
All my siblings, bar one (who was the least sporty of us) have had knee replacements (all much older than me).
Since becoming a farmer (& contracting Lyme) my sports are just walking, yoga & open water swimming (tried running on the treadmill again but I found it utterly boring).
Then last winter I took part in a musical. It meant wearing heels for the first time in years. Half way through the performances (7 nights on the spin) my right knee swelled up really badly.
Carried on, thought it would go away but it got worse.
I couldn’t kneel down anymore, it was burning up at night & swimming was really hurting (breaststroke).
I was recommended a physio (we have to pay €50 to visit a GP). Reckons I’ve aggravated an old injury, possibly the start of arthritis but thinks he can sort it out. Had acupuncture (which helped enormously with the swelling) & has given me exercises (I can share if you want them).
I have no pain at night now & it’s slowly getting better.

A good physio should be able to help.

But it may also be worth getting the bloods done 👍🏼

Gosh, didn't know you had to pay (and so much) to see a GP in the RoI. Just reading up on it - and 100 Euros to go to A&E without a referral?

what is the general consensus in the RoI on this? Does it mean people only go if they need to and/or does it mean some people don't seek medical help that need it because of the cost?

Appreciate this may result in a new thread but I really didn't know about this in RoI

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nhs-charge-fee-reform-patients-pay-gp-health-service-uk-zknv7l0ff

Those in need & kids have medical cards so don’t pay.
Some have private insurance.
I’d rather keep my money in savings & take my chances.
When I was ill & needed tests (I had every test under the sun, scans, x-rays etc) all I had to pay for was a day bed I took up when I had a lumber puncture (€80) & the antibiotics when the only positive test came back as Lyme.
It works out they can only charge you €750 a year if you require treatment, so as long as I have savings, that’s cheaper than private. But I’ll have to go on waiting lists for operations etc (if I do need my knee replaced eventually).
I really do think the charges for GP’s & A&E visits without referral are a good idea. I never have to wait for an appointment. I can even choose to have a phone appointment (€35). And it really isn’t difficult to get a referral to A&E (in my experience).
But knowing I had to pay to see my GP meant I was more inclined to go straight to a qualified physio with my problem & give him €80 as the GP would have probably referred me to him anyway 🤷‍♀️

Sorry to heat about the Lyme disease?

Are the charges anything to do with nationality, with you being UK based before or is that for everyone?

Food for thought re the NHS. Having witnessed people in A & E for things like a sore throat and a splinter. And I once saw someone getting out of an ambulance with a tny cut that had a plaster on it when I'd driven myself to Lewisham (spent ages funding parking) when I'd been poked in the eye by a branch gardening!

Anything that is, free an be easily taken for granted and 'mis-used' 

I believe we can get a medical card being UK citizens but I don’t see why we should tbh.
We’ll claim one when we get to pension age, until then we’ll pay our way.

There are still issues with trollies in corridors in the winter so it’s not perfect.

Do RoI citizens have to pay the same to see a GP and go to A&E

Yes 👍🏼 

Interesting, as I wasn't aware. Do 
Nt think suggesting that would go down well in the UK! 

I know a few GP’s would, lots of no show appointments is driving them bonkers.

I know. No shows at GPs and hospital is trully shocking. Surely it doesn't take much to call and cancel? Virtually no excuses

Mind you it's prob the same who go to A&E for a splinter, call 999 for police because a kebab house is closed and an ambulance because they've scraped their knee! 

oohaahmortimer

swords_alive said:

oohaahmortimer said:

Done physio for a while after knee puffed up last august  having played cricket ,didn’t work, so went to knee/leg specialist (same bloke who done my Achilles ten years back)
MRI scan (uuuurgh claustrophobic small panic wibble even though head out of tube ) and have torn meniscus 
so arthroscopy tomorrow , gone private paying myself think £4.3k 🤮 prolly nearer 5k with scan and consultancy .
had arthroscopy 16 years ago and surgeon said there was arthritis in there but from scan this fella said doesn’t look like that’s returned but will confirm when he has a look around knee tomorrow .
Fcuk getting old (52) 

Good luck oohaah. Is that local anaesthetic for arthroscopy? 

General, I love an anaesthetic 

fadgadget

oohaahmortimer said:

swords_alive said:

oohaahmortimer said:

Done physio for a while after knee puffed up last august  having played cricket ,didn’t work, so went to knee/leg specialist (same bloke who done my Achilles ten years back)
MRI scan (uuuurgh claustrophobic small panic wibble even though head out of tube ) and have torn meniscus 
so arthroscopy tomorrow , gone private paying myself think £4.3k 🤮 prolly nearer 5k with scan and consultancy .
had arthroscopy 16 years ago and surgeon said there was arthritis in there but from scan this fella said doesn’t look like that’s returned but will confirm when he has a look around knee tomorrow .
Fcuk getting old (52) 

Good luck oohaah. Is that local anaesthetic for arthroscopy? 

General, I love an anaesthetic 

Best sleep in years when i had my Arthroscopy done in Feb . 

Solidgone

I have had two arthroscopy and was told they only do two and then it’s a knee replacement. 

oohaahmortimer

Knee replacement next then .

I’ve felt shattered all day, till early evening , operated on at 10am .
but can walk unaided can’t remember what I could do after first one , got plenty of painkillers and exercises to do , although if I’m honest I think I’m dead and in purgatory/hell looking at the scums position …no rest for the wicked 

nervous cos of early start this morning was on Central Line at 6am haven’t shit since 5am (mind over faecal matter )and usually have a good 2 or 3 more after the overnight action and got no size off early…

big night / morning ahead , loaded up on some Cadbury’s to help push it through or I have some sort of laxative they’ve given me as back up to get rid of my backed up 

meldrew66

oohaahmortimer said:

Knee replacement next then .

I’ve felt shattered all day, till early evening , operated on at 10am .
but can walk unaided can’t remember what I could do after first one , got plenty of painkillers and exercises to do , although if I’m honest I think I’m dead and in purgatory/hell looking at the scums position …no rest for the wicked 

nervous cos of early start this morning was on Central Line at 6am haven’t shit since 5am (mind over faecal matter )and usually have a good 2 or 3 more after the overnight action and got no size off early…

big night / morning ahead , loaded up on some Cadbury’s to help push it through or I have some sort of laxative they’ve given me as back up to get rid of my backed up 

…..wishing you a speedy recovery mate but, jeeze, that’s put me right off my muesli!

Curb_It

Yes ooh ahh, that’s just a little too much info. 

PrincessFiona

Can anyone recommend any good turmeric tablets? I was taking some but as they are quite expensive, I went down the organic powder route but can't be faffed with that.
My various aches and pains have got worse in the last week or so and it's nether cold nor wet.

My GP supports taking turmeric supplements 

Curb_It

People rave about CBD oil for this Princess.  My friend rates this one below. 
What does your GP say about magnesium?  i'm taking those and they help.

https://vitalitycbd.co.uk/collections/cbd-oils

PrincessFiona

Curb_It said:

People rave about CBD oil for this Princess.  My friend rates this one below. 
What does your GP say about magnesium?  i'm taking those and they help.

https://vitalitycbd.co.uk/collections/cbd-oils

Thanks - I'd have to bath in CDB oil as not confined to one area as have an MSK condition! He didn't mention magnesium, but I do have them in the house then but only took them when I was having problems sleeping. I could start taking them again and see how I go?

Curb_It

My pal who is riddled with arthritis says CBD helped within 5 days.  One squirt under the tongue twice a day she reckons.  A new woman.   

We could go on for a few hours i think with our aches and pains. :-)

PrincessFiona

Curb_It said:

My pal who is riddled with arthritis says CBD helped within 5 days.  One squirt under the tongue twice a day she reckons.  A new woman.   

We could go on for a few hours i think with our aches and pains. :-)

JohnBoyUK

oohaahmortimer said:

Knee replacement next then .

I’ve felt shattered all day, till early evening , operated on at 10am .
but can walk unaided can’t remember what I could do after first one , got plenty of painkillers and exercises to do , although if I’m honest I think I’m dead and in purgatory/hell looking at the scums position …no rest for the wicked 

nervous cos of early start this morning was on Central Line at 6am haven’t shit since 5am (mind over faecal matter )and usually have a good 2 or 3 more after the overnight action and got no size off early…

big night / morning ahead , loaded up on some Cadbury’s to help push it through or I have some sort of laxative they’ve given me as back up to get rid of my backed up 

best of luck today and for your recovery fella.  

Lordflashheart

JohnBoyUK said:

oohaahmortimer said:

Knee replacement next then .

I’ve felt shattered all day, till early evening , operated on at 10am .
but can walk unaided can’t remember what I could do after first one , got plenty of painkillers and exercises to do , although if I’m honest I think I’m dead and in purgatory/hell looking at the scums position …no rest for the wicked 

nervous cos of early start this morning was on Central Line at 6am haven’t shit since 5am (mind over faecal matter )and usually have a good 2 or 3 more after the overnight action and got no size off early…

big night / morning ahead , loaded up on some Cadbury’s to help push it through or I have some sort of laxative they’ve given me as back up to get rid of my backed up 

best of luck today and for your recovery fella.  

Totally unrelated - but has the ‘Homes under the hammer’ episode featuring your property been on yet ?

JohnBoyUK

Lordflashheart said:

JohnBoyUK said:

oohaahmortimer said:

Knee replacement next then .

I’ve felt shattered all day, till early evening , operated on at 10am .
but can walk unaided can’t remember what I could do after first one , got plenty of painkillers and exercises to do , although if I’m honest I think I’m dead and in purgatory/hell looking at the scums position …no rest for the wicked 

nervous cos of early start this morning was on Central Line at 6am haven’t shit since 5am (mind over faecal matter )and usually have a good 2 or 3 more after the overnight action and got no size off early…

big night / morning ahead , loaded up on some Cadbury’s to help push it through or I have some sort of laxative they’ve given me as back up to get rid of my backed up 

best of luck today and for your recovery fella.  

Totally unrelated - but has the ‘Homes under the hammer’ episode featuring your property been on yet ?

Ha, good day to ask!  Today is the last day we've got people on site and house will be finally finished as of 5pm tonight.  HUTH film part 2 in a couple of months then it'll go on air shortly after that.