Woman confined to wheelchair because of size 60HH breasts is refused NHS op
Annette Murphy has even considered chopping her boobs off in desperate bid to get her life back — but NHS chiefs say debilitating condition is not enough proof she needs reduction
A WOMAN with size 60HH boobs is begging for help after the NHS refused her surgery to reduce them.
Annette Murphy fears her breasts are killing her, and has even considered taking a knife to them after being confined to a wheelchair because of a condition that has left her bones too weak to support their weight.
The 34-year-old suffers from chronic systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune illness that causes painful joints, swollen lymph glands and aches every day.
Despite the strain of her breasts leaving her unable to walk, NHS chiefs have refused Annette breast reduction surgery.
Speaking on the nightmare situation, Annette told : “It makes me so mad when you see women like Josie Cunningham, who get breast enlargement and cosmetic surgery for vanity reasons because they don’t feel confident.
“Mine is a medical condition. My breasts are actually stopping me from living.
Annette was diagnosed with the condition aged just 15 after years of mystery illnesses.
She has since had countless doctors’ appointments, and two hip replacements by the tender age of 23.
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The debilitating symptoms and medications Annette is forced to take have had their toll on her – by age 31, she was in a deep depression.
She explained: “I’d lost my hair from some of the drugs. Then the steroids had made me put on weight.
"My breasts grew with the rest of my body. I’m now in a wheelchair and my body isn’t coping.
“Having a breast reduction would help so much. Gradually, I’d finally be able to do everything myself again – including learning to walk again.
“At 34 it’s not nice having to rely on my mum and loved ones.
“In my darkest days I have self-harmed and even considered chopping my breasts off. Luckily I have a strong network around me who talked me out of it.”
Annette lives with her partner Gary, and has wishes of starting a family of her own one day – but only if she is given the surgery she needs.
Her plea for help is supported by her hospital consultant and psychotherapist, who have both written to NHS funding chiefs about the case.
But the local clinical commissioning groups responsible for deciding who is most in need of such operations claim there is insufficient proof a breast reduction will make Annette’s condition any better.
Annette said: “I’ve had all these people backing me but, no matter what I’ve been through, their reply was, ‘There isn’t enough clinical evidence’. It’s devastating.
"Just because there isn’t a precedent of someone in my condition for them to use as clinical evidence, that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t get help.
“The CCG panel does not meet the person who is in need, doesn’t talk to them or see the everyday struggles and the lack of independence.
"They don’t see me taking down mirrors because I can’t stand what’s looking back at me.
“They don’t hear me when I make people only take photos from the shoulders up. They have let me down.
Speaking on the case, Ash Mosahebi, consultant plastic surgeon for the NHS and a council member for the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, said: “Because of budget cuts, this is unfortunately becoming the norm in the NHS.
“It is really quite clear this is not vanity – it is stopping her living.
“Having 60HH breasts would put a lot of strain on a healthy person, let alone one with arthritis.
“It is seriously debilitating.”
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