Hi I'm still waiting to get diagnosis from a rhumatologist been waiting for 3 months also what do they do at a pain clinic ?

[Huskybike]

Should I go back to doctors as having pain in arms so bad I can't lift my kettle or hold a cup

[Lucyhobbit]

At a pain clinic, they should work with you to find the best way to manage your pain. I can only offer my solutions to finding it hard to lift the kettle - I don't have much water in it, and I tip it rather than lift it. Also for bad hand/arm days, I have a really nice pretty teacup which I can lift better than a mug.

[jillylin]

Hi,

On a practical note, I use a kettle tipper as I can't safely hold a kettle.

Hugs

Jillyxx

[Hidden in reply to jillylin]

Hi Jilly I never thought of that! what a marvelous idea

xxxsianxxx

[yenool]

My experience of the pain clinic wasn't great. He basically examined me, explained what the problem was and gave some advice about exercise and medication. I was told I was already using pain medications appropriately and I should learn to live with the pain as it will always be there to some extent. Discharged.

I don't know what I was expecting really, the doctor was very pleasant but the overall experience was a bit disappointing.

My guess is a better resourced clinic may be able to offer other treatments like physio or counselling and if your GP isn't giving you optimal treatment then maybe your medications could be adjusted.

[bluebell10 in reply to yenool]

hi yenool,reading your experience was just as if i was reading about my own! i was reffered to a pain clinic by my gp as she didn't know what was wrong & the pain man asked me a few questions prodded me here & there,said no doubt at all u have fibromyalgia,as your'e already on a lot of medication theres nothing i can do just exercise as much as possible,learn to live with it as best as u can! he seemed a nice man too he was russian & seemed to know what he was talking about but that was it,no follow up nothing,maybe we saw the same person

[fibro]

Can you not give them a call and ask if there are any cancellations? You may get seen quicker that way.

Usually a pain clinic will work around you, there will be several suggestions that can make depending on how your pain affects you. Im sure you will find them useful. They may refer you to a different department to try something else, or try different pain meds.

How are you managing to have a drink? I find like lucyhobit has said, use a smaller pretty tea cup, a finer one and only half fill it. Or even a plastic/melamine picnic cup. Use both hands once its cooled, use a straw, or one of those beaker type cups. They do sell adult ones.

I find i tend to drink water most of the day when i'm alone. But if i want coffee do have a filter coffee maker that can be left on all day. My OH will fill it up and put it on and i just have to pour from the filter jug, much easier than a kettle, plus he fills the water up which is the heavy bit!

Because i was born with a disability several things have effected me all through my life. It sounds harsh but it was the way i was bought up, i was taught that there is no such word as can't! There's always some way around a problem!

I know thats not always the case with some people and It may not be everyone's way of doing something, but if it helps, it doesn't matter which way you try.

I found when i couldn't carry a cup, a little trolly helped, which also doubles as a small table, also using those lidded travel mugs that also keep drinks hotter for longer. You can buy mini kettles, generally known as travel kettles, or i think one brand still has one, a water hotter where you just place your cup under push button and water flows directly into cup. To top up water reservoir use a plastic beaker, easier and lighter than a jug.

I hope you get your appointment soon xx

[ladyship]

hi huskybike,

When i went to the Rhumatologist he diagnosed me straight away.with in a week i had a call from my Dr. asking to call in and see her as she had received a letter from the Rhumatologist . Two weeks from then i went to see the pain management. I am starting ti chi next week to help with movements for my muscles.

If i were you i would get in touch with your Dr. to see if they have received a letter from the hospital if not get them to chase it up. I know i am long winded but i get there in the end. Good Luck. ladyship.xx

[Shazzzy]

I could not lift a kettle either my physio suggested using a small plastic bottle to carry water yo the kettle rather than kettle to the tap, just enough water for a cup at a time, works great, wrists much happier painwise.

[toffeegirl]

Hi huskybike, Like lucyhobbit I have a nice little china cup I use on bad days, but my family clubbed together (thanks all) and bought me a Tassimo machine now I can just pop in a pod and have whatever drink I want. My experience at pain clinic was much the same as yours, was seen once got a definite diagnosis and have been left to it, said he couldn't do much more than gp was already doing....wish I find some way of easing the pain xx