Pain pain pain

[Xnnsnandbdbd]

Hi, I’ve recently been diagnosed and over the last two years I’ve been able to go to work with the pain but over the last two months the pain in my hips and pelvis has been immense and walking around the house is taxing. I’m a Healthcare Assistant with the NHS and do about 15K steps a day with the job. I’m on Duloxetine and Amitriptyline for my Fibro, I’ve been on pregablin but that did nothing. I’m very new to this and would like some new pathways for pain management

[Nothing_but_books]

Hey Xnnsnandbdbd,

I have no idea if this would help anyone but me, but when I can't take the pain one more minute I try this.

I have a chair in my tub, but you could just sit on the floor of the tub.

I turn the shower water to a comfortable temperature -- sometimes I want it quite hot. Then I sit still and let the water beat on me. I try to have it hit the places that hurt the worst.

I don't have any idea why it helps, maybe it's sort of a massage? But it often does.

[Flamingbernie]

Hiya. I also work in the NHS, but on the OT side, so i don’t clock up anywhere near as many steps as you.

Two major things i did regarding work was go part time, and change my responsibilities. At first halving my pay was difficult, but i adjusted quickly (spending a lot less going out helps). Changing my responsibilities was trickier, but now i’ve got to the point after a couple of years of trial and error where i can let my supervisor know in the morning how i am (difficulty walking, painful sitting, or trouble concentrating).

After three years of seeking answers and trying out different things i have found s few things very helpful. The big one is the medication, which you’re already sorting. Next was getting counselling. I got this through the NHS occupational health referral process. The next thing was doing a Mindfulness course, specifically for people living with life altering conditions. And lastly, even though it seems counter productive, gentle exercise. Things like yoga, tai chi, and a nice bottle of merlot with friends. Whilst all these things don’t get rid of the pain, they can change how you experience it. A bit like shutting the window when someone is mowing their lawn. You can still hear it, but it makes it easier to experience.

I hope this makes sense, and please ask if you have any other questions.

Take care, and be kind to yourself

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Morning, my friend is an HCA and I know how hard she works daily so I understand how hard this must be on your body, I would see your doc again it’s sometimes twicking your medication until it helps more with pain we quite often say trial and error. I do take duloxtene and I did have my dose upped awhile back, my doc lets me have codiene but not too use all the while but when I do it normally kicks out the pain for about 3/4 until my next dose. You obviously get to do a lot of steps during the day so I do hope when you to your tea break/lunch break, you can take yourself away from the ward and find a quiet space to switch off. Although I don’t work now I can honestly say without my soak in an Epsom’s salts bath early evening I would be a grump, I do find my hot water bottles soothing as heat always seems to help when resting at night xx

[CheetieCat]

Hi, I work in social care where the majority of my clients are wheelchair users and community based so I tend to rack up the miles on a shift too! Have you ever tried adding an anti inflammatory? I know everyone says there is no inflammation with fibro but I couldn't work without one, I've tried. Hope you find something to help soon 😊

[BeccaBoo456]

Hey Xnnsnandbdbd,

I’m also on duloxetine and have found it really helps the majority of my symptoms. You didn’t say how long you’ve been on them but it did take a few months before my gp and I found the right dose for me. In the meantime I was on slow release tramadol as the pain was just unbearable, so a painkiller is something to bear in mind and speak to gp about.

Physio helped me too. Really wish I had kept up with the exercises as it did help. As someone else mentioned warm baths (with Epsom salts if u have any). I also don’t go a day without using my plug in heat mat too.

Take care xx

[Xnnsnandbdbd in reply to BeccaBoo456]

Hii,

Ive been in duloxetine since March at 30mg twice a day. I’m currently on co codimal 30/500mg but that only works for about 3hrs. I’ve been referred to a pain team so waiting on that to come through but something slow release makes me think that may work better as I don’t have moments in the day of any kind of relief. I’m yet to try a bath, showers help kinda and I’m buying a torso sized heater to wrap round my back, hips and ovary area at the same time as a hot water bottle isn’t big enough 😂

[lioncub]

Have you enquired about endometriosis with your GP? I see you have tagged this in your profile. A podcast I listened to recently stated that if you have pain mainly in the pelvis and hip area it could be endometriosis you need to treat as well as fibro.

[Xnnsnandbdbd in reply to lioncub]

I had an ultrasound and they said it could be that but can’t be sure. It’s the hip and pelvic pain that I’m getting no relief from and always seems to be playing up. I’d say the pelvic pain has only really been a problem since I was taken off contraceptive

[lioncub in reply to Xnnsnandbdbd]

I'd talk to GP again about this. I don't have pelvis pain, my hip/groin pain is due to muscle tightness which was aggravated by menstruation. Thankfully I don't menstruate anymore and exercise and sleeping with pillows between my legs and also raised up helps. I hope you find relief soon by finding the underlying cause.