pain clinics

markc1

Anybody know anything about them? Do you have to be referred by Doctor? Thanks mark

valval

hi mark i dont know but glad u asked the question as will look foward to finding the answer as well as not bad yet so storing lots of info away 4 when it worse hope u doing ok

skezier

Hi Mark,

I don't know if a doctor refers you, both of mine have been through a consultant, the first back in the '80's and the second now. On both occasions they assess your pain and how it is impacting on your life and then they come up with ways to help it. They have access to your notes so know exactly what is going on and they are very thorougher and experienced in pain management. They can't cue you and have no way of stopping the underlying cause but their remit is to minimize the pain.

I know some people don't find them too helpful but I have to say I have struck gold this time round and the consultant is brilliant! She has taken my neck pain down by at least 70% and yesterday she took out my lumber pain....... It is stiff and numb but it isn't hurting and I didn't wake up in agony once last night! I hope it will last...... It won't but she said she can't fill me up with jabs too often but hopefully it will slow down how quickly it returns to agony and she will do pressure point jabs again, my neck got one yesterday and it also has shut up some.

I know other people don't have such good luck but mine is brilliant . Take care, Cris

sweenyuk

I got refered by my GP, but consultants can also refer you. Don't think you can self refer.

I have tried numerous pain management methods in the time they have been looking after me. I tried an epilepsy drug that was aimed at slowing down the pain message to the brain, but I could not function on them. My brain was really going slow and got me very frustrated.

I have tried an antidepression (amitriptyline) which is supposed to help. If you bit your finger, your finger would send a message to the brain telling it that your finger hurts, your brain then sends a message back telling your finger what to do. Normal pain meds reduce the message to the brain, amitrip reduces the message back.

I have tried epidurals - they did not work

I have tried accupuncture and have been trained to practice this on myself. This helps with the stiffnes, but not the pain, Is well worth it though.

I am on a trial drug - Oral Ketamine which I place under my tongue 3 times a day. Ketamine is a Horse Tranquliser and has been used as a date rape drug, but is also an excellent pain killer. As it is not yet licensed for pain relief it is not yet available from GP's, so I go to the pain clinic every 6 months for a fresh prescription, which the hospital pharmacy then break down into 6 monthly prescriptions. The drug only has a shelf life of 30 days and you can notice it getting weaker as the month goes by.

I know of other on Morphione from the pain clinic, but that is a last resort really

joyful164

markc1 wrote:

Anybody know anything about them? Do you have to be referred by Doctor? Thanks mark

Hi Mark

I was going to post you some information on Pain Clinics. I think the name conjuers up 'cure at last', but it isn't. I could start to become cynical again but I mustn't

I Went to my first Chronic Pain Service Clinic yesterday and I don't know what I was expecting really.
bullet points are
* Assess your pain
* Review your medicines
* Review treatments already tried
* Advise you on changing lifestyle and general health
* Make a plan for your pain management

I was referred by my GP on instruction by my Rheumy consulltant.

I was sent a questionnaire and skeletal sketch, which you complete before you go. And a list of 30 description about your pain. I think I had put a ring round all of them.

Good luck

joyful

heather1

Hi mark

My doc referred me to a pain specialist who referred me to the pain clinic.

I was accepted to go on one about a year ago but it was so far away and i have trouble taravelling.

I have just seen another doc who runs a pain clinic and it is going to be a 3-6 month wait for me to get onto it but it is based closer.

Apparently it is more to do with the way we think of pain and how to cope more mentally than physically.

We shall see.

eckstardeluxe

Hi Mark, I'm going next week woohoo!

Been waiting since January and my appointment is Wednesday. A Dr or Consultant usually refers you. I'd never heard of them until the Consultant said I had to go. It might be worth a try asking your Dr. I've been told they are a last resort for people with severe pain and not candidates for surgery. Knowing a little about you, I'd say you would be in with a good shot if you ask for a referral.

From what I've been told, they evaluate all your meds and try to find the best medicines and other therapies to get your pain under control.

vonski

Hi Mark

My Consultant suggested it in a letter to my Dr. and then he referred me. The pain clinic has been a big help.

Love
Vonski x