Pain clinic

[Chocoronnie]

Hi, can anyone give me their experience of the pain clinic/team? I've recently been referred. Thanks x

[Dinkie]

It depends on what type of pain clinic, some are medication based some are more self help CBT type. I've experienced both. The medication route involved spinal injections and an injection into the back of my head, neither very nice but the head one cured the migraines for a while, the spinal ones did absolutely nothing. They advised on various meds but as I can't take prescription meds as I seem to be sensitive to all of them in a rather unpleasant side effect way, so really it wasn't much help to me but I know others have gained benefit.

CBT works for some and not for others, if you attend this one go with an open mind and try to make sure you attend every session otherwise you will miss out on some of the stages.

[Fayfitz2308 in reply to Dinkie]

Hi Dinkie, I’m interested in the injection therapy you have had.

Can I ask about it please? I’m going for the head one for my migraines which I suffer every day with on 12th December and no one has been able to tell me any good stories so I have some reservations of course but willing to try anything if it helps, you are the only one I’ve come across who has said it’s worked.

I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue ME pain pain and more pain, crazy restless leg syndrome and chronic migraines with aura.

A little bit of light relief would be great if possible so if you can impart any wisdom about the injections would be grateful. In advance thanks for reading. 😊

Fay

[Dinkie in reply to Fayfitz2308]

Have to say it's a weird sensation - bit like the injections the dentist uses. The back of my head felt frozen. It was done to help the problems in my neck, which it didn't help but it did stop the migraines for about 3-4 months so for me that was a bonus. You have nothing to lose except a bit of time in attending the appointment. Let us know how it goes if you decide to go ahead.

[Fayfitz2308 in reply to Dinkie]

Thanks Dinkie

I’m definitely going through with it, had my 5th and 6th vertebrae operated on as there was deterioration and thought that would solve migraines but cured spine not migraines fingers crossed the 31/32 injections cure it. Try anything tbh but will put on here about it and if it’s successful.

Thanks for replying

Fay

[Dinkie in reply to Fayfitz2308]

Got everything crossed for you.

[Alsithee4]

I'm currently working with the pain clinic in my area. It took nearly 18mth to see someone following my referral from the GP. In that time I had be given a diagnosis of fibro, chronic fatigue and ME.I saw the initial consultant at the Pain Clinic, discussed everything with her from yeas gone by. At this stage, I was still learning a lot about fibro, chronic fatigue and ME, but she was really understanding in explaining pain, the nervous system, how pain affects you etc. I didn't want to continue pumping by body with continuous drugs and wanted to try more alternative therapies. Don't get me wrong, I still take some medications but have worked really hard in understanding my body and the pain triggers.

The pain clinic were I live have a multitude of teams to work with. Grab it all if you need to. I've had injections, CBT, worked with a physio and therapist who did breathwork and meditation work and I'm now learning how to treat myself with accupuncture.

I'm currently doing a 10wk course, Pain Management Programme, with around 15 people, which covers everything about pain, where pain comes from, our nervous system, cognitive info, sleep, nutrition, exercise, pacing etc and this has been great for me, a real learning experience.

I guess it depends on how the Pain Clinic in your area works and also what you want out of it.

[Wobblygirl]

I have been referred twice - during the Covid period where all discussions were by phone. My fatigue meant that joining a morning group in the next town would be too impossible for me so opted for more phone calls. Each discussion is recorded with a hard copy so you can read it at leisure at home...They suggested lots of medication which I had tried with my GP but opted not to re-take because of side effects...

I found their overall package pretty poor.

Lots of suggestions but trying to live carefully is more my method of accepting fibromyalgia! I rest aftr every activity and pace throughout the day with warmth and direct heat. Obviously this cannot suit younger folk with busy lives and childcare!

At my last telephone appointment last month my pain/fatigue was horrendous and with the call lasting over an hour I was desperate to stop! I just stated that I was practising all the advice given so she would move on...

She was so pleased that she signed me off!!!

I was so grateful to stop thinking+speaking that I went to bed exhausted! Any interjection of that length is quite impossible for fibro sufferers. I don't know how they think this type of interaction can help us???

The whole scheme didn't match my needs in any way... I'm sure in the future I will speak to my GP again in terrible pain and she'll suggest The Pain Clinic, again!

It's an imperfect situation!!!

I believe in rest, heat and distraction.

Learning to pace is essential and yes life does get smaller and slower but as a mature professional I turn to websites for info and the v valid support here on this site! Changing lifestyle to plan errands at best times of pain/fatigue and keep checking diet and movement levels for optimum opportunities to enhance activity.

No big exercise routines for me but gentle walking regularly is a way forward...

In essence, I didn't find the Pain Clinic very helpful at all but I didn't want to try their medication choices, so maybe my views are biased???

[Hidden]

Hi I very much think it depends on where you live I have CRPS and fibromyalgia and for three years I've had little support from my team.My consultant recently said there's no pill I can give you have to self manage I can't help you anymore??

Not sure where I go with that one.

[Puddywoods]

I used the pain clinic but I got no real help from them, I suffer terrible with my feet and knees plus sporadic vertigo, feet and knees are very painful at times and their advice was to go for walks etc .

I think you find your own way of dealing with things tbh so I do meditating and other things that make me feel better rather than have some physio who has no idea about my pain telling me to do ABC.

[Karm]

For me it got to a point where they openly said there was nothing else they could do to help. They had changed around my meds,.tried different ones, physio. And I was still in alot of pain. I have been back and forth with them for several years.

It also depends on your pain and what your going through. They can be helpful and do try to help with different strategies not just medication.

Good luck. How they are able to help you in some way.

[Nipper11]

Hello, chocoronnie . I had a great experience with the pain clinic it took me some time to understand the mindset of understanding pain/others and Lifestyles management and taking on challenges which I may not had much confidence in doing before. They made me realise not to be scared of things I struggle with .

They taught me how to use ways of relaxation and move my body with pain and so much more. It takes a while to think about their ways of change and manage your mindset with pain and life .

They made me understand that i listen to others before listening to my own body . It's not a easy course at the start because it's about changes your mindset of pain and lifestyle and more.

I would recommend that you take as much help as you can from these guys. They are a great team and care about the individual they are supporting. Good luck, you won't regret it.