Progress..

So I’ve just sent back my questionnaire to the nhs pain management unit (it actually arrived quicker than I guessed-within a week since my gp appointment). This will be my second time speaking to them but never had a questionnaire before…

It also said that of course it’ll be triaged and then put on waiting list which can be 12 weeks.

Has anyone had a similar waiting time, shorter or longer?

I know that not every hospital will be the same but wanted to find out

[Penpusher]

I'm currently in the middle of a pain management course online. I was referred a couple of months ago and expected to start in September but more people were referred so the course started sooner. It's for 2.5 hours once a week for 7 weeks. So far we've covered the neuroscience behind pain, we've had psychologists in helping with pain management and a session with pain nurses on medications and their side effects etc. We've been given little exercises to help start to move safely, done a bit of tai chi, have a relaxation session each week and been given advice on expectations and managing pain on a daily basis. It's given me hope. I had got to the point where I wondered why I bothered with no quality of life, just living, working, sorting out food deliveries and sleeping. Not being able to sit for long periods comfortably or stand for long periods, not able to drink due to conflicting with meds, or even hold a book.

Now I understand more about how my body is reacting and how my meds and even things like artificial sweetners may actually be accounting for what I thought were symptoms where they may just be side effects.

I can only encourage you to hang on, after fibromyalgia and arthritis for a number of decades, this has really encouraged me mentally and given me hope to maximise my physical health. I really can work to feel better myself on a daily basis without looking to others.

Fibromyalgia is such a crap condition- we truly suffer from it and there is little about it to bring us joy. It's so good to have something to be positive about. Good luck!!

[Trappedmoth]

I've been on waiting lists both longer and shorter. Most hospitals are struggling with covid, brexit and years of under-investment. As Penpusher says, pain management courses can be really beneficial. See if you can get on one.