Pain clinic referral

eckstardeluxe

Hi folks

When I saw the Consultant in January for the big diagnosis, he said I couldn't have surgery as my OA is beyond help. He said he was referring me to the pain clinic at my Hospital. Got my letter today & duly completed it. Anyone else been referred to this type of clinic? What do they do and how long does it usually take to get your appointment after the inital letter? Again, any replies appreciated greatly. x

skezier

Hi eckstardeluxe,
I went to one in December, it may varrie from hospital to hospital as to how long the referal takes but mine was around 6-8 weeks. Again it will depend on what is your diagnosis as to what they do to you but as a genral they give you a questionair to fill in while your waiting and from that they seem to get a good idea at where and how much pain you have and how much it is effecting your everyday life etc. The pain doctors are there for you, they have your notes, xrays scan's etc and they then examine you before talking to you at some length again about your pain and what you'd like help with if you have multi problems.
In my case they asked what gave me the most grief and that's the bit they will start with. When they have a good idea how your pain is they talk about what they can do to help mimimise or remove it. You don't need to worry these are doctors very much on your side and don't mind you ranting even! They really are the good guys so don't worry over it.
In my case they didn't do more than that and then they booked me into their day case clinic to carry out some pain relife. That is again a varrible as to how long it takes.
Hope that will help, don't worry and it does help. I had some pain clinic help back in the '90's and I don't think mine this time will be too much different. Take care, Cris

eckstardeluxe

Hi Chris

Thanks for your response, it is reassuring to know they are on our side. I wonder if the questionaire they asked you to complete was the one I filled out today. It was pretty detailed, asking for all meds on, when my symptoms are worst, how they affect my life and there were even diagrams of the body front and back for me to draw on. There were a few options and you drew on the figures where you were in pain. The letter says it's so they can send it to the best possible person to deal with me. I did call them last week to chase it up and the woman said she had my name on a post it on her PC. She said ahhh I know why it is, it's because we have all your notes here not just the recent stuff. She said it was taking up a 4 baskets lol! It did mention hypnosis and psychology too, I wonder do they offer counselling there too then? I think that would be a good thing. thanks again, Alex

vonski

Hi Eckstardeluxe
The questionaire includes does pain keep you awake and things like that. The pain clininc Dr. can give steroid injections, recommend different medication, exercises and specialists. I see mine this month and I'm going to ask him to suggest a referral to a foot specialist. Must say I've found mine very helpful, hope you do too.
Vonski

skezier

Eckstardeluxe, it does sound like a variation of the same kind of form. My referal was a consultant to consultant referal and all my meds had already been done but different hospitals will have different ways of doing the same thing.
Vonski mine had a section on sleeping but it was all 1 to 10 how much does this hurt type questions, it gives them the overall picture and I guess it's the pain consultants who decide how they make up the questionairs?
I don't know what other kinds of pain relife they do, certinly back in the '80's I had accupinture, a tens machine and in the '90's the steriod jabs. We only talked this time about what she was willing to offer me although she did ask if I felt counsilling could help me be kinder to my bones and my self, so they must offer it? It felt much more relaxed than the normal examination where they are less understanding of either direct or pay-back pain.
Vonski, can they arrange additinal scans? Mine said she'd be interested to see what 2 scans would show but I know there isn't a consultant who will ask for them.
You both take care, Cris

vonski

Hi Cris
Not sure if pain Dr. can send you for scan but should be able to ask your GP to send you. It can't hurt to ask Hope you manage.
Vonski x

skezier

Thanks Vonski, I shall certinly ask. You take care

vonski

Hi
Let me know how it goes
Vonski x

woodbon

Pain clinics where mentioned by one of the gps at my practice, but she didn't refer me because I have some possible neuro problems and they want to do all that first and I'm waiting for an appointment. I was talking to a person who also has arther and she goes and said they are wonderful and have helped her a lot. She has also met others who have problems and they discuss them, which helps. Hope you have a good experience. They sound great Love Sue xxx

skezier

Vonski, I will run it past the Rumo consultant when I see him in April. She dropped him a line and it mentioned her intrest in what another scan would show. You push to see a foot guy, mine were done a couple of times and it's made a huge difference to all of me as the weight is more evenly placed. Take care Cris x

ichabod6

Arthritis Care run a two day self management
course called Challenging Pain which gives loads
of useful help and strategies to cope with pain.
You dont need to be referred to it. Just find one
in your area and apply. It's free.

airwave

No, but I've asked for a referral, which was refused, let me know how you get on.

Good luck.

8) Its a grin, honest! 8)