Are Pain Management Clinics any use?

[louiseX26]

After being temporarily discharged from the hospital until I lose the weight I need for a laparoscopy, it has been suggested that I ask to be referred to a Pain Management Clinic as all the pain killers I've tried don't work for me. I'm currently on Tramadol and Co-Codamol so I'm not sure what more they could do for me. Has anyone attended one of these clinics? Are they any use? Xx

[Lillybob]

I think so, I think they have a better understanding of nerve pathways etc there's no harm in going.

[Hidden]

Without bring rude, what is your BMI ? My old consultant said the limit is 40.

[louiseX26]

I'm just a little over that. 43 I think. Xx

[Scooteeder]

Hi Louise,

Like you, I have Endo. I also have experience of having attended a Pain Management Clinic. I did find it quite useful, as I was a bit like you, and finding that I was not getting much relief from many painkillers. I think I'd tried pretty much everything including Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Cocodamol, Tramadol, Nurofen, Spasmonal, Mefenamic Acid, Oromorph, Doclofenac and Diazepam (NOT all together, as you can imagine - otherwise I'd be writing this from beyond the grave!!). I'd also reached a point where I was questioning what more could be done; and I was desperate not to end up going down the Hysterectomy route. MY pain from Endo had also landed me in A&E on a number of occasions, which is clearly a place not to be too often!

Basically, Pain Management Clinics work like this... The purpose of a Pain Management Service is to assess your pain, how it affects you, what causes it, how it can be treated and managed. Many services are multidisciplinary, in that they include Nurses, Physios or Occupational Therapists, Pharmacists, Social Workers, Psychologists... they can evaluate your pain from all angles. They are also intended to help you to come up with practical safe and workable solutions to managing your pain. The Pharmacist, or Doctor might review your medication, and come up with suitable Painkillers for you to use. A Physio or O.T. might assess how your pain affects movement and activity; they could advise special exercises to do, to ease pain, or they might train you how to do certain things differently, so as to protect you from pain. The Psychologist might talk with you about the emotional effects of your pain; they could suggest relaxation or breathing exercises, or maybe treat you for stress brought on by living with Endo... they are there to listen to all your pain-related concerns.

I have been under the care of a Pain Management Service, and did find it helpful. They advised me about relaxation, as well as showed me things that I was doing daily that exacerbated my pain (simple things I had not even realised). They taught me to change the way I did some things (taking breaks during housework; crouching not bending; thinking about my posture; not always carrying my handbag over one shoulder as it puts strain on one side of my body). They recommended some Physio exercises to relax and stretch out painful areas (especially areas affected by old surgery, and adhesions). They encouraged me to attend Pilates (which I had been nervous about). They changed my medication when it was no longer as effective. They provided me with a TENS Machine. They gave me chance to talk about my concerns as to how I could manage my pain.

I would advise you to consider discussing a referral to Pain Management with your G.P. as

they could be of use to you. It's only a suggestion, and YOU must decide what it is that you think is for the best. I've sent you a link to some literature that tells you more about Pain management Clinics. maybe you could have a look at this, and see what you think. Like I said, it's best discussed with your G.P. who can answer any questions, and also make a referral if you want to go ahead.

Here's wishing you all the very best with everything...

Elaine Ellis.

P.S. The links are...

www,nhs.uk/Livewell/Pain/Pages/Longtermpain.aspx

britishpainsociety.org/pati...

[Scooteeder in reply to Scooteeder]

Sorry... feeling a little sleepy tonight. Just had a lap op last week, and still recovering. Obviously affecting my typing!

The FIRST link should have read...

nhs.uk/Livewell/Pain/Pages/...

Hope that's better. Off to put my feet up!

Elaine x

[Impatient]

There are lots of techniques which are taught at pain clinics to give you the skills to cope better with pain.

But also if pain killers don't work for you then you could one of many people whose body's don't process them as normal.

dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

Is a recent newspaper article about this problem and that you can get tested for it.

[louiseX26]

Thank you ladies. It sounds like the pain management clinics could be the way to go. I need to get back in control. Xxx