Sorry It has been a while since I have posted it has been a tough few months. I went to my first appointment at the pain clinic today it went ok I suppose he presented me with many options. Taking pregabalin or gabapentin alongside amitriptyline as well as changing naproxen to etodolac 800mg.
He also prescribed capsicum cream for my bone pain in my upper legs as well as getting me an appointment with the nurse to show me how to use the TENS machine that they will provide.
Also I will be attending a twelve week programme on pain management.
I would like to know what others have experiences are with these drugs?
Thanks x
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mrsbear85
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It sounds as though you were actually taken very seriously and given alot of options. The only one of those that I am on is Pregablin which was prescribed for the shooting, knifing and burning pain I was getting around my rib cage and back I must say for that part of the illness it did slowly improve it although I cannot take a high dose of it as it would make me feel too muzzy, I started on the lowest dose and slowly built up. I did try the capsicum cream on my back and sides but unfortunately it was too strong for my skin to take in that area as it is ecxtremely sensitive to touch and having it rubbed in was painful and it felt like it was burning my skin I persevered for some time as they say this burning sensation can subside but in my case unfortunately it didn't. The skin on the upper legs of course is much tougher so hopefully it will do you some good. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.x
Thank you I hope this is the start of some progress for me I have just picked up my prescription now so I will see how they go. I was taken seriously I think I was quiet taken aback by how much he seemed to understand my pain. Thanks for your response x.
Hi, I take Amitriptyline and Naproxen and use a tens machine, I find the machine quite helpful as an aid for realxing to get off to sleep, it's a bit of a faff to put on though, couldn't be bnothered to use it when walking around etc. Pregabalin or Gabapentin have been suggested to me from my rheumatology appt in November but my GP seems completely against prescribing them (not sure if it is the financial side for the practice that she is concerned about lol) best of luck with whatever you choose. x
Thanks sunnygirl. My GP was also reluctant to prescribe the Pregabalin but the Dr I saw yesterday seemed to think it was the next thing for me to try. Thanks for your help x.
You're very welcome - funny my GP didn't want to refer me to the pain clinic, as she said "they'll only give you more and more medications…" obviously I'm trying to take the minimum that I need but want to take "enough" to lead as normal a life as possible. Xx
I am both impressed and jealous of your appointment. I also attend a pain clinic which started with an interview/assessment by a psychologist, no mention of medications. This was followed by a 3 hour session where we were promised a 30 minute appointment with a nurse who specialised in chronic pain to review medication as part of an 11 week course. Today was week 7 and the closest we have come to this nurse was watching her give a talk on medication that was recorded on a dvd! Needless to say the whole group feels let down as that precious 30 mins was the main reason we all signed up. Hopefully she will manage to make an appearance in the next 4 weeks.
Don't get me wrong there is much of the course I am finding useful and I will continue to use what I have learned however I have to drive 90 mins each way and then sit/stand for 3 hours in hospital waiting room chairs so it takes a bit of time for the cheery me to reappear.
I am on gabapentin and amitriptyline and have found them helpful. With the amitriptyline it is best to take in the evening, roughly 12 hours before you will be getting up the next day otherwise it can leave you feeling tired and sluggish.
I am so sorry that you have not had much luck with the pain clinic our experiences could not be any different, by the sound of the comments left I have been very lucky. I hope things get better for you soon x.
I am so sorry that you have not had much luck with the pain clinic our experiences could not be any different, by the sound of the comments left I have been very lucky. I hope things get better for you soon x.
I agree totally with the others as it really does sound like you were taken very seriously! I take Pregabalin but I have only been on it for a few weeks. I have a TENS Machine which I love, it is really effective.
Hi mrs bear I've had gaberpentin for around 8 months now and it's a good one for me in fact it's become one of my DO NOT TOUCH pills it softens the general spiky burning pain - of course as all of us know it only deals with one type of pain but hey, one down is at least a relief.
I've tried the tens machine but in told its a long use tool 3 - 4 hours at a time for best results - I'd be interested to know how you get on with it - good luck fellow fibi
Thanks for your response I will let you know about the TENS machine and your right anything that takes anyone of the pains away is a relief. I shall keep you posted x.
Hi mrs bear I've had gaberpentin for around 8 months now and it's a good one for me in fact it's become one of my DO NOT TOUCH pills it softens the general spiky burning pain - of course as all of us know it only deals with one type of pain but hey, one down is at least a relief.
I've tried the tens machine but in told its a long use tool 3 - 4 hours at a time for best results - I'd be interested to know how you get on with it - good luck fellow fibi
Hi mrs bear I've had gaberpentin for around 8 months now and it's a good one for me in fact it's become one of my DO NOT TOUCH pills it softens the general spiky burning pain - of course as all of us know it only deals with one type of pain but hey, one down is at least a relief.
I've tried the tens machine but in told its a long use tool 3 - 4 hours at a time for best results - I'd be interested to know how you get on with it - good luck fellow fibi
Yes that is what I was told by my Pain Specialist to have the Tens on a low tap for 4 hours a day which is so difficult with the wires etc I always seem to end up with the Tens machine dangling down and smashing against furniture it is a miracle it hasn;t broken. I find it just takes the very edge off the pain I think the sensation it produces just makes you concentrate on that rather than the pain. Unfortunately, in my case I find that once it is disconnected it does not have any residual pain relief.
Hi mrs bear I've had gaberpentin for around 8 months now and it's a good one for me in fact it's become one of my DO NOT TOUCH pills it softens the general spiky burning pain - of course as all of us know it only deals with one type of pain but hey, one down is at least a relief.
I've tried the tens machine but in told its a long use tool 3 - 4 hours at a time for best results - I'd be interested to know how you get on with it - good luck fellow fibi
Hi mrs bear I've had gaberpentin for around 8 months now and it's a good one for me in fact it's become one of my DO NOT TOUCH pills it softens the general spiky burning pain - of course as all of us know it only deals with one type of pain but hey, one down is at least a relief.
I've tried the tens machine but in told its a long use tool 3 - 4 hours at a time for best results - I'd be interested to know how you get on with it - good luck fellow fibi
Hi mrs bear I've had gaberpentin for around 8 months now and it's a good one for me in fact it's become one of my DO NOT TOUCH pills it softens the general spiky burning pain - of course as all of us know it only deals with one type of pain but hey, one down is at least a relief.
I've tried the tens machine but in told its a long use tool 3 - 4 hours at a time for best results - I'd be interested to know how you get on with it - good luck fellow fibi
Hi, Gabapentin - lucky you - it doesn't take all the pain away, but. It sure stops the sharpe shooting burning pains, it's become one of my life savers.
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