pain relief?

daylily

Have just been to Doc's again, I've multi-level spondylosis, and muscular/skeletal problems.
I asked for some pain relief as the Pain Clinic told me I needed more meds.
The answer?
anti-depressants :?: :?: :?: :roll: :roll: :roll:
I'm confused

dreamdaisy

That's plain wrong. Pain can cause depression, yes, but depression does not cause physical pain. Ludicrous. It's a shame you have been fobbed off - one of the most difficult things about our various conditions is that sometimes one has to join the awkward squad to ensure that one is listened to. Fire up your obstreperous side and go back and hassle and badger until you get what you want: decent pain relief. I am so sorry, but it does sound as though you will have to fight for it. DD

annie_mial

What kind of anti-d's? A lot of us are on amytriptyline which is an anti-depressant but which is widely used for relief from nerve pain.

I think there are a couple of others which are used in the same fashion now.

Annie

daylily

dreamdaisy wrote:

That's plain wrong. Pain can cause depression, yes, but depression does not cause physical pain. Ludicrous. It's a shame you have been fobbed off - one of the most difficult things about our various conditions is that sometimes one has to join the awkward squad to ensure that one is listened to. Fire up your obstreperous side and go back and hassle and badger until you get what you want: decent pain relief. I am so sorry, but it does sound as though you will have to fight for it. DD

hi DD
this is 3rd time i've been back. even asked for change of surgery
but we're in small village only one practice.
written to local health board as well.
doc had my letter of complaint on screen all time i was there.
bit of intimidation :?: :!: :!:

dreamdaisy

annie's point is a good one: I hadn't realised that about amitryp - is that the one they have prescribed? DD

daylily

annie_mial wrote:

What kind of anti-d's? A lot of us are on amytriptyline which is an anti-depressant but which is widely used for relief from nerve pain.

I think there are a couple of others which are used in the same fashion now.

Annie

hi annie,
yup it is that anti-d but shouldn't have been given them- had problems in past with very negative thoughts. taking them back tomoz.
thanks for replying.
doc should have known i can't take those pills
anne

speedalong

Hi Daylily,

If it isn't amytriptyline for night time, then I think you need to contact the painclinic. Shouldn't they be prescribing the pain meds you need or writing to your doctor about which ones he should be prescribing?

Speedy

trisher

Hi

I'm on the Amytrps for pain as well, the Pain Clinic put me on them it can also help with depression that pain brings.

I was also put on Gaberpentin to help with chronic nerve pain. I also take Diazapam for help with muscle spasms as well.

Trish xxx

daylily

speedalong wrote:

Hi Daylily,

If it isn't amytriptyline for night time, then I think you need to contact the painclinic. Shouldn't they be prescribing the pain meds you need or writing to your doctor about which ones he should be prescribing?

Speedy

I've no idea who's supposed to be doing what. Pain clinic said go doc' so I went. Feel like I'm on a merry-go-round :roll:
just finished a letter to practice manager-i'll see what happens now.
why do they not take us seriously :?:

nanasue

Hi there, sorry to hear you're having problems. If you look at my last few posts you'll see I was having problems too but I wasn't going to let them win so I fought back and got what I wanted, if you have no joy try contacting PALS as I was advised to do they should be able to help if you have no luck. Thinking of you
Love Sue x

daylily

nanasue wrote:

Hi there, sorry to hear you're having problems. If you look at my last few posts you'll see I was having problems too but I wasn't going to let them win so I fought back and got what I wanted, if you have no joy try contacting PALS as I was advised to do they should be able to help if you have no luck. Thinking of you
Love Sue x

thanks sue. i'll try anything once to make them listen.
you should see their faces when i walk in the doc's :!: :!:
talk about frosty
doc today wouldn't even look at my knee- think he was worried about contradicting the other doc from last week.
wish someone would watch my back like the medics watch out for each other.xx

skezier

Hi Daylily,

I think sometimes they do give us tablets they haven't really thought about. They should have known you can' take them. I also agree he shouldn't have had our letter of complaint on the screen.

I was saddled with 'bad' docs for 12 years an thankfully I got away. I have to go a few miles more but its well worth it as the standard of care has been so much better! If you can it might be worth changing?

I have to say i think the pain clinic has let you down. it is them that should be prescribing pain relief for you really so i wonder can you ring the pain consultant and explain the problem? I really do hope you can get some help from them soon as pain drags you down so much. Keep trying and I think you should be on an anti inflammatory and a pain killer.... Its not right to leave you like this. Take care and nice to meet you. Cris x

daylily

Hi skezier
Thanks for reply.
I have tried to move surgerys but live in a small village and it's the only practice here and in the next village. Chief of Local Health Board says practices in the next bigger town will not take me cos of distance involved.
It's no fun not getting on with the one person you're supposed to be able to talk to-your doctor :!: :!:
After 1st visit to pain clinic I haven't seen a consultant just the physio who gave me the tens machine. Been back to her 2 times and now discharged. Is this normal do you know :?:
I have been in touch with Chief at LHB again, see what he comes up with.
will let you all know what goes on.
thanks all.xxx

hileena111

Hi...Sorry you are having problems....I have the same problems with a small village....I've tried to change as well....mine is a one man band outfit and there is a clinic in the villige as well with a few docs in it. I tried to change to them.....Are you new to the area...No....have you got a doc...yes....then we cant take you. That was that. I asked my own doc about referral to a pain clinic...he said no...no point.....they wouldnt pay any attention because you have had 1 THR and are due to have another one so they would say you are not finished with surgery....we can do what they would do....give you painkillers...{paracetamol} and diclofenic modified release one a day at night to stop me waking up with pain. So I do sympathise......he was going to give me amyitrip {sp} until he realised I took tablets {anti convulsants} that would clash with them so he was going to prescribe them as a muscle relaxant/pain killer at night for me not anti d.
Love
Hileena

daylily

hileena111 wrote:

Hi...Sorry you are having problems....I have the same problems with a small village....I've tried to change as well....mine is a one man band outfit and there is a clinic in the villige as well with a few docs in it. I tried to change to them.....Are you new to the area...No....have you got a doc...yes....then we cant take you. That was that. I asked my own doc about referral to a pain clinic...he said no...no point.....they wouldnt pay any attention because you have had 1 THR and are due to have another one so they would say you are not finished with surgery....we can do what they would do....give you painkillers...{paracetamol} and diclofenic modified release one a day at night to stop me waking up with pain. So I do sympathise......he was going to give me amyitrip {sp} until he realised I took tablets {anti convulsants} that would clash with them so he was going to prescribe them as a muscle relaxant/pain killer at night for me not anti d.
Love
Hileena

hi. it really beggars belief the way they treat us.
i'm left with the option of making a formal complaint but where that will leave me re a doctor i don't know or shutting up but my inner self says doc's shouldn't get away totally ignoring our feelings not to mention the pain most of us are in.
i'm having a long hard think about what to do next.
i hope you do better with your doc. just as a matter of interest is he older or a young doc. my brother's got a theory about the new breed of doc.
take care of youself
anne

hileena111

At a guess I wouldsay late 40's early 50's

Hileena

daylily

hileena111 wrote:

At a guess I wouldsay late 40's early 50's

Hileena

that fits with my brothers theory. he reckons older docs are set in their ways and always right and do not like being questioned then the younger docs , who he says don't know as much because docs are now taught more on the bedside manner bit.
interesting theory.
i wonder if other peoples experiences match the theory. :?:
it doesn't of course help either of us that want to change docs and can't :!:
i went straight to the top- the head of the local health authority-
very nice man but basically i'm still lumbered with nasty docs as we live too far away from others.
take care
anne[/img]

dreamdaisy

It's a complicated area. My mum prefers a doctor who is heading towards retirement age as they have 'experience', as she puts it. I prefer a younger doc, as his mind is more likely to be 'open', not fogged with years of hearing the same old stuff over and over again. Young docs are not afraid to read from a book to check their facts, younger docs do listen a little more attentively and, lets face it, they have to aquire experience too!

Patients also have to be firm: sometimes one does have to assert oneself and say, politely but firmly, 'I don't think you have this right, I think you are listening but not hearing me.' Doctors are not demi-gods, they are mere mortals and prone to the errors that mortals make. Personality can play a part too - all human interraction is based on liking one another - when a clash occurs that can hinder things hugely, but again I think the onus is on the patient to stand firm. It's not easy, tho. It gets better with practice! DD

hileena111

You are right there DD...you have to be firm.....although me being firm about painkiller not doing any good and expecting him to change them ended up with a referral to hospital and a double THR {2nd one not done yet} Its the same in hospital......I found they were going to just automatically keep giving me laxatives every day {one time when in for a fortnight} I took the first one then said no thanks I'll let you know when I need one....she was horrified....you are written up for it...dont care i dont want it at the moment thank you very much. The same with my own tabs {anti convulsants} they would bring the trolly round...I would say i'm due my medication...its not here ...please look for it...its very important...this happened a few times until I said....Leave them with me and I'll self medicate....Horror of horrors....you cant do that....I've been doing it for years and years....no sorry we wont let you do that. Lock them in my bedside cabinet and i'll take them when you come round and you can watch me....What a fight but they gave in
Love
Hileena

skezier

Hi Daylily,

Its not working the way it should for you! I have not been discharged from the pain clinic and have been seeing her round 2 years now. I also wonder if you have tried the nhs choices site? See here some doctors cover 16 miles...... you only need one to say yes and your away from the ones you have got.

Have you got a consultant you can contact over the pain thing? See I just think your being let down and trying to think of ways that you could maybe get some help.

I know how hard it is to have bad doctors, I honestly do. Try the choices site and see if you are inside anyone's catchment area now. Don't take what is said on the phone cus I know here practices cover large interlocking areas (this is quite rural) and you only need one to say yes.

I wish I knew how you could get some help but leaving you a ((( ))) Cris x

daylily

skezier wrote:

Hi Daylily,

Its not working the way it should for you! I have not been discharged from the pain clinic and have been seeing her round 2 years now. I also wonder if you have tried the nhs choices site? See here some doctors cover 16 miles...... you only need one to say yes and your away from the ones you have got.

Have you got a consultant you can contact over the pain thing? See I just think your being let down and trying to think of ways that you could maybe get some help.

I know how hard it is to have bad doctors, I honestly do. Try the choices site and see if you are inside anyone's catchment area now. Don't take what is said on the phone cus I know here practices cover large interlocking areas (this is quite rural) and you only need one to say yes.

I wish I knew how you could get some help but leaving you a ((( ))) Cris x

thanks a lot i'll definately try that choices site. i think the thing with my surgery has gone too far now to repair, i don't want to be there and i daresay they don't want me either.
thanks again will let you know how i get on.
xx

daylily

hileena111 wrote:

You are right there DD...you have to be firm.....although me being firm about painkiller not doing any good and expecting him to change them ended up with a referral to hospital and a double THR {2nd one not done yet} Its the same in hospital......I found they were going to just automatically keep giving me laxatives every day {one time when in for a fortnight} I took the first one then said no thanks I'll let you know when I need one....she was horrified....you are written up for it...dont care i dont want it at the moment thank you very much. The same with my own tabs {anti convulsants} they would bring the trolly round...I would say i'm due my medication...its not here ...please look for it...its very important...this happened a few times until I said....Leave them with me and I'll self medicate....Horror of horrors....you cant do that....I've been doing it for years and years....no sorry we wont let you do that. Lock them in my bedside cabinet and i'll take them when you come round and you can watch me....What a fight but they gave in
Love
Hileena

Hiya. I was just wondering if any doc read these forum's? It might make them think about the patients more but I suppose they will say they're too busy to do things like that

woodbon

Hi, I'm on amatrip, its for pain relief and sleeping at night. The dose they give for pain relief is very much lower that for depression. Their other drugs in the same family and one of these may suit you better. As to the prescription being inappropriate, I agree, they should have checked with you first and explained the reasons for giving it.

I hope you find a drug that helps you with the pain and sleep problems, I know how hard it can be, but mostly the amatrip see me through now, but not always. We are all different and what helps me may not help you. Take care, love Sue

daylily

dreamdaisy wrote:

It's a complicated area. My mum prefers a doctor who is heading towards retirement age as they have 'experience', as she puts it. I prefer a younger doc, as his mind is more likely to be 'open', not fogged with years of hearing the same old stuff over and over again. Young docs are not afraid to read from a book to check their facts, younger docs do listen a little more attentively and, lets face it, they have to aquire experience too!

Patients also have to be firm: sometimes one does have to assert oneself and say, politely but firmly, 'I don't think you have this right, I think you are listening but not hearing me.' Doctors are not demi-gods, they are mere mortals and prone to the errors that mortals make. Personality can play a part too - all human interraction is based on liking one another - when a clash occurs that can hinder things hugely, but again I think the onus is on the patient to stand firm. It's not easy, tho. It gets better with practice! DD

Hi. I think that's one of my problems DD, I do not interact with people very well, complicated upbringing, I'm actually very shy but it doesn't come across as that when I'm nervous. Doctors with all their experience of life and people should be able to see when someone is struggling to say something. I do try but get so nervous it all comes out wrong. Even write a list but the last Doc wouldn't look at it.

daylily

woodbon wrote:

Hi, I'm on amatrip, its for pain relief and sleeping at night. The dose they give for pain relief is very much lower that for depression. Their other drugs in the same family and one of these may suit you better. As to the prescription being inappropriate, I agree, they should have checked with you first and explained the reasons for giving it.

I hope you find a drug that helps you with the pain and sleep problems, I know how hard it can be, but mostly the amatrip see me through now, but not always. We are all different and what helps me may not help you. Take care, love Sue

Hi. I have actually found a bit of pain relief from the tens machine the clinic gave me. Doesn't cure it altogether but it lessens it. I use it as acupuncture with points on my feet. Might be phycological but who cares if it works :!: :!: (that spelling on phycological doesn't look right does it :?: )

daylily

daylily wrote:

hileena111 wrote:

At a guess I wouldsay late 40's early 50's

Hileena

that fits with my brothers theory. he reckons older docs are set in their ways and always right and do not like being questioned then the younger docs , who he says don't know as much because docs are now taught more on the bedside manner bit.
interesting theory.
i wonder if other peoples experiences match the theory. :?:
it doesn't of course help either of us that want to change docs and can't :!:
i went straight to the top- the head of the local health authority-
very nice man but basically i'm still lumbered with nasty docs as we live too far away from others.
take care
anne[/img]

update. finally found a doc who will take me on

it's a fair way away and they will not do house calls through day

but i can always get a lift to surgery if i'm bad. registering today. might get proper help now