Tea and Sympathy

LolaCrayola

The gist of my first specialist appointment seemed to be 'Keep calm and carry on' with a side order of sport. I feel quite let down. I tried to convey so many things. I am so weary of it all. I did get a referral to the pain clinic, he thought my year in pain was a bit 'early'. I am glad I am finishing work if it is always going to be this hard. I used to be really fit, I am trying my best. I am afraid I may have wished my pain on him.

dreamdaisy

I remember when I first started taking sulphasalazine thinking that 'it' would all go because I was on meds. Fifteen years (and a few more meds later) I'm still waiting. Life with any form of arthritis is not easy, Lola, there's no doubt about that and the medicos seem to deal only with the theory: we have the reality and that is a whole different ball game. I am so sorry that you feel 'let down' but I can appreciate why. DD

barbara12

Hi Lola
I really do understand what you are saying, its so hard to get over to them how the pain can effect your life.
I have had you know you have arthritis, and this is what it does causes pain.
But since that I have seen a pain clinic, and a more understanding consultant, so you stand your ground and if not happy ask for another appointment, write everything down, it really does help, if you are anything like me...what I want to say goes out the window.
So take a list of the pain and how it effect you everyday.
Good luck with it all

valval

you can get a pain map from one of the people on here that is good for showing where pain is and how often it happening good luck do hope you get the help you need soon val

skezier

Hi Lola,

On the plus side flower my pain clinic doc keeps me going, she really does enable me to have pain inside manable levels 90% of the time so with luck the pain clinic referral really will help.

Its never easy to have a bad appointment and to say about a side dish of sport..... well it's a bit heartless but not all rumos are able to convey feelings with their words.... they forget we are human beings and we are living with the bone shift and we can struggle at times.

I really hope so good will come of the appointment and they don't keep you waiting too long. At l;east the pain docs tend to understand how bad it is for us in a way not all the consultants get.

Sending you tea by the bucket load and a cyber ((((( ))))) with a side dish of hopes. Cris x

LolaCrayola

Thank you to everyone. I want to learn how to manage my own pain. Is the pain clinic the right place? I am also going to do The Expert Patient course online.

merri

I found that a Pain Management course really helped me to take control of the pain and to manage it better. The course gave me the tools to go from being housebound to getting back to work, might not be the same for everyone but our local Pain Management team are fantastic.

I know it can be so incredibly frustrating and you have my sympathy. I think sometimes the only thing that you can do is dig your heels in and stand your ground, you're the one who knows your body best.

hileena111

Hi
Got for the Expert Patients course ....Its very similar to the Challenging Arthritis {6 week} course....The only difference i found was that the Arthritis course is for people with arthritis....the E.P one is for anyone with long term illness....could be heart, arthritis etc but if you can get over that bit in your mind the rest is almost identical.
The Pain Management one is good as well but I think thats the one that is oney 2 weeks {2 days} as opposed to the 6 weeks {6 days} that the other 2 are.
Go for it girl and see what you think yourself.
Actually I have just re read your post and its online.....I dont know about any of the courses on line but if you hear of any of the that you can get to.......you get other peoples opinions....even the trainers learn something new each course ...go for it......Get Arthritis Care to put your name down for one when it comes close to you.
Love
Hileena

frogmorton

BOth Lola

The pain clinic will give YOU help with your pain meds/acupuncture etc

the courses teach you how to mange your pain ot long-term condition yourself.

I am on a 'challenge your condition' course atm with arthritis care. Halfway through the 6 weeks exactly.

Love

toni xx