What are pain classes and do they help

[gerrytoby]

My first post. Was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 3 years ago and am taking gabupentian. In real pain at the moment and so phoned my doctor today looking for some help. He advised me to come off my gabupentian and increase my depression medication. He also advised that I should go to pain classes. I am also an epileptic. What are pain classes and has anyone also been advised to attend these classes. I was going to speak to my epileptic consultant who prescribed my gabupentian. I am not sure what to do maybe someone could advise

Thanks Gerry

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello and welcome, I think it is wise that you are going to speak to your consultant 1st, I ve never attended pain classes but I am sure members that have will give you more of an idea what’s involved and if it was beneficial to them. What med do you take for your depression ? I am on duloxtene some doctors recommend it to help fibro patients but again it depends if it’s safe to take with other medical conditions. Being in pain is horrid and differently slows us up on a daily basis especially when it’s at an all time high, I do hope you get too speak to your consultant over the phone as soon as possible .

[gerrytoby in reply to Yassytina]

Thanks for your reply.

[Greenpeace]

Hi gerrytoby , and welcome to our group.

Your Dr seems to be a bit unhelpful from what you say. You mention that you are Epileptic. Gabapentin is an Anti-Epileptic drug. It can also be used off label for nerve pain. If it was prescribed for your Epilepsy, and you come off it, I hope you take another Anti-Epileptic med for your Epilepsy.

Also if you just stop taking Gabapentin, you are going to suffer withdrawal symptoms which are very unpleasant, if not dangerous. Your Dr should have given you guidance on how to come off them gradually.

I assume what your Dr wants you to do is a Pain Management Course. Which is a course, usually over a couple of weeks, for an hour or so at a time. It gives you ways on how to manage pain. They vary from Region to Region as to how effective they are.

I see you’re from Ireland, and they may have self referral there, but in England, your Dr has to refer you, and there is usually a long waiting list.

Can I suggest that you make a telephone appointment with your Dr and ask him/her if he/she could be a bit clearer about the classes he/she wants you to do, and do you need a referral. Also can he/she advise a way for you to come off Gabapentin safely.

Here is link to our main website. fmauk.org. Where you can get good reliable information about Fibromyalgia.

None of us on here are Medically qualified to give advice, and any advice is given based on our own experiences.

I hope things come right for you, and come back on here with any problems.

Good luck.

GP. 🙂🙂.

[gerrytoby in reply to Greenpeace]

Thank you very much for your helpful reply. I do take other medication for my epilepsy. I think I will speak to my consultant. My doctor sent me a link for the pain classes but they don't start until the new year

[Cheekybacksid]

I have been referred to a pain clinic and my first appointment is the 8th December .I was sent to physiotherapy but other than crutches , there was nothing more she could do.

I'm not sure what this entails but at this stage I'm will to try anything

[ChocNana]

Went to one pain class as run by clinic then lockdown hit so still waiting on date to return. But just the one gave quite a lot of info from other sufferers so yes go if u can

[gerrytoby in reply to ChocNana]

Thank you will give it a go nothing to lose