GP not helpful

[Nala231]

Hi hope your all ok

I spoke to my GP today as I'm in a lot of pain at the moment, when I asked if he could prescribe anything else for the pain he refused as I all ready take gabapentin. I was wondering what other people take for the pain xx

[soozie]

Hi there,I take tramadol,cocodimal, Ibrophen & oxynorms for severe pain. Each night I take amitriptyline, & Prozac ... Sorry for spelling mistakes xx hope u get some pain relief soon xx hugs xx

[ladytelita]

Hey Nala. I take Nortriptyline and Tramadol currently. I also take vitamins and cysticlean for my urinary issues. I also take something for acid reflux but can't remember what it's called, lol.

[Iampain]

Hi, I take tramadol ,gabapentin ,duloxetine, quinine, for the cramps, oromorph for breakthrough pain, fexofenadine for multiple allergies and lanzaprazole for acid reflux, trimethoprim and another drug for urinary issues, there are many more options your doc can offer, if he won't, see someone else.

[TheAuthor]

Hi Nala231

I am so sorry to read that you have been left to feel this way by your GP. I was wondering if there was a different GP at your surgery that you could discuss the issue with? If not, try popping along to your local walk-in centre or A&E as they will usually take more of an interest and do some tests and if you ask for something you are more likely to get it. Just tell them that your pain is out of control and you need some help.

I have pasted you the link for NHS Choices - Treatments for Fibro, and I hope that you find it useful:

nhs.uk/Conditions/Fibromyal...

I currently take Nortriptyline, Naproxen, Co-Codamol and Metocloperamide for any nausea. I genuinely hope that you can find some resolution and relief to your problem, and take care.

Ken x

[Hidden in reply to TheAuthor]

Sorry - I don't agree that A&E should be recommended as a resource in this instance. The rest of your advice is excellent, but A&E are there to deal with life threatening illnesses or serious accidents - ie emergencies. Situations where health care needs providing fast or a person may die or things that no one else can help a person with eg broken bones, cuts that needs stitches (although minor injuries units can do stitches - husband had 8 stiches in a cut leg a while back at a minor injuries unit). I'm not saying someone can't go if they are really concerned that their pain is due to something serious/life threatening or if they really don't know why they are in pain. However, if we know that our pain is caused by one of our health problems such as fibro, whilst absolutely horrible, A&E is really not the right place to deal with chronic long term pain. If a GP isn't doing his/her job sufficiently then see another GP or ask to be referred to a pain management clinic. You can also complain to the practice about the GP if you feel that they aren't doing their job properly or sufficiently. A&E are overworked by people coming in with minor health problems that A&E was never designed to help with.

[Mdaisy in reply to Hidden]

Hello Dizasterdeb,

You are indeed correct and you are quite right to point this out. A&E are overwhelmed and should only be used as a last resort, NHS Direct may be closed but you the 111 service is available for non urgent advice after other options have been exhausted.

nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSs...

As per my comment below it lists the options to see another GP & complain to the practice manager to hopefully resolve the issue alongside PALS. A&E should only be used in emergency situation. The only thing I would add is that sometimes with Fibro an emergency situation can be missed as we are always in pain and some pain might be relating to another problem which may need emergency help. It is sometimes hard to tell the difference.

People with Fibro who experience pain should not think A&E is not an option in all circumstances if the pain is new, acute and in an area like chest or abdominal then in this case I think we should be clear that some pain could be a warning sign. I think as with everything using common sense and for advice the NHS Choices website can still be used as a symptom checker too.

nhs.uk/symptomcheckers/page...

Using the facilities available to help you is the sensible way will hopefully ensure you are directed to the correct place to receive the healthcare you need.

Emma

FibroAction Administrator

[Royalspec01]

Hi there I take gabapentin and tramadol paracetomal and stopped the naproxen recently. ~I have moderate to severe pain.........BUT each tablet is for different conditions for example tramadol is not for fibro pain nor paracetomal which acts as a base line for paracetomal and gabapentin is fibro pain which is any muscle or tissue pain. I recently went to a pain clinic and those of us with chronic conditions do have and experience real pain but a lot can be triggered of by the pains we have had for so long rather like habit forming but beyond our control or rather should I say if we manage it this will help. What I would like to add if like me ii was fortunate for our nurse to say to me how every tablet I had was for. this so helped me understand rather that just taking pills if you know what I mean. I hope you ask you gp, this so you may understand him and also may bring to light that he may not be at lease you will know good luck fibro friend. xx

[Nala231]

Thank you all for the advice he said he won't give me co-codamol or anything like that as it's addictive and he insists I have fibro because I'm depressed he doesn't get the only thing getting me down is the amount of pain I'm in and how tired I am permanently n how I've had to change my daily life because of this my mood has been good the past week or 2 as I have a very good friend who is helping me no end I just wish my doc would help more thank you all xx

[Hidden in reply to Nala231]

Hi Nala231, My doc says the same about co-codamol and told me to take paracetemol. It doesn't work. I also noticed that on my notes they have put that I have the "onset of depression". Like you I disagree, I am extremely tired and sore and these two do not go together well. Finally got my sleeping sorted although still tired, by asking them to change me to Amitriptyline. Now to sort the pain bit out I really hope you can get sorted, Susan x

[Royalspec01]

Hi Nala so sorry sounds like a second opinion from another doctor might help. If you feel up to it it might be worth putting in a complaint to maybe get your voice listened to it doesn't mean your trouble just that you need good reasons to help you understand. hope this helps and really hope you get what ever help is necessary. xx

[vixen49]

Hi nala231 I take gabapentin naproxen and codeine phosphate to help with pain if your doctor is like that with no understanding then maybe you could get second opion so I sincerely hope you get more help hun cos being in pain is not nice take care and ((( gentle hugs))) going your way so good luck hun. Ros xxx

[Mdaisy]

Hello Nala231,

If you are experiencing problems with your GP and getting adequate treatment please consider going to see another GP.

I would like to also provide you with this information from our website which may be helpful;

fibroaction.org/Pages/About...

If you experience further problems concerning your Healthcare you can write to the Practice Manager about your concerns and also speak with the Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS) for further help. Here's some information about PALS;

nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1082.aspx?...

Further to the problems of addiction the GP's are currently adhering to the following policy;

healthunlocked.com/fibroact...

However, if in pain then the duty of care to help you to be pain free surely outweighs the issues with possible addiction. Tramadol is recommended in Fibro due to the serotonin pathway, where as stronger Opioids are discouraged as we have a reduced amount of Opioiid receptors so they are usually ineffective long term. They may help initially but soon they will stop helping the pain.

Depression is usually caused by the Fibro due the debilitating symptoms in my opinion and is not a precursor to Fibro as much as many might think! You may well benefit from some Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in conjunction with appropriate treatments as our stress levels and way we deal with the symptoms can be helped by learning to manage them but the condition is physical and cannot be dismissed as psychosomatic. There are some that believe this despite research and this is the problems many of us face.

I would consider asking for another appointment today with another GP explain your pain experience and taking the information factsheets with you

I hope you get pain relief soon

Best Wishes

Emma

FibroAction Administrator

[Mum2kialandkyran]

Hi,,

I was gabapentin for 6months and it did nothing for my pain I am now on Butrans patches which I have been on for nearly a year,,,speak to ur gp

[Hidden]

Hi everyone. My rheumatologist told me to stop taking paracetamol and naproxen, he recommended codeine (for my costochondritis) chest pain. Is opinion was that the addiction idea was exaggerated. I agree A an should be for life or death situations. I work for the NHS and it is common knowledge that people just turn up to A and E when they cannot get a GP appointment. I am half way through a CBT course, my rheumatologist recommended it and I was so sceptical but it really has helped, xx