Pain Clinics?

[dottiedog]

Can anyone tell me what a pain Clinc involves? Have thought about asking my GP to refer me but don't want to go to a group sesion?

[jellie]

Hey,

As far as I know it involves trying to get you to think differently about your pain so you can manage it more effectively. I'm not sure how this is done or what techniques they use but it's something I've spoken to my Doctor about. I've not been referred to a pain clinic yet, but I'm going to keep trying.

jellie xo

[orgsmurf54]

Hi dottiedog

I haven't heard of pain clinics until I joined this site, if you find out can you let me know please, sounds like an idea

soft hugs

orgsmurf54 xx

[LindseyMid]

It can vary from clinic to clinic. A clinic should have pain management consultants, physiotherapists and psychologists on the staff. There should be an assessment of medications, help with physical therapies (physio, hydrotherapy, etc) and teaching you lifestyle changes (like pacing) and management techniques to help control your pain.

[floozy]

Hi dottiedog , im attending a pain clinic in Herts right now . I initially was refered by my gp, and saw a medic and a psychiatrist . My medication was tweaked and when I felt that my symptoms were as stable as they were likely to be , i started at the pain clinic . I had an initial consultation with a psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist and after chatting with them for about an hour they offered me 4 sessions with them . The first session was yesterday , after keeping a weekly routine diary about everything i did from 6am to 12pm . for a fortnight . we really discussed my attitude towards the pain and pacing myself . Now i have to keep the same routine diary but write the day before how my day is going to be . Obviously with fm nothing is written in stone but its quite exciting and scarey too . Hope your gp can find you somewhere were this is offered x

[electricjaws]

you don't usually go to a pain clinic in a group, i have been going to one periodically for years ,i think you may be thinking or maybe someone told you of something called a "pain management programme" they do that at york hosp i went to one of those and found it no good, firstly there was meant to be 8 of you ,but there were more, and to be honest it was just telling you what you have probably worked out for yourself, anyway i go to a different hosp and a pain clinic ,so if it is a pain clinic you will be going on a one to one basis xxx

[moonstonebright]

I am seen by the chronic pain team and recently did a 4 week pain management course which was really helpful and interesting, the GP referred me and now I see the specialist nurses regularly who review my medication and suggest changes which they write to my GO about and then he prescribes them for me.it's a brilliant service, they really have time to listen too med and look at not just the pain but how it is affecting me emotionally and mentally too. They can refer to physios out to acupuncture, Tai chi etc, they loan teens machines to try etc and are just there to support whenever I need them.I think most areas in three UK haves this service so if you haven't been referred ask toured doctor to duo so.

[Hidden]

yep this is a brill service, ive been twice now and saw the psyschologist and am going tomorrow to see specialist pain med nurse, so she can review my meds etc, will try and see what other services they can offer me, if i can get some more hydro that would be great, intially had 6 sessions it seems to make it feel better, plus local pools are so cold and dont help. was wondering bout tens machines for the spasms plus need some help when i keep falling over! my legs or ankles can just give way lol

[dizzyduck]

Hi All, I go to a pain clinic, the first time I saw a consultant who was really nice and understanding about the pain that I am in. She discussed all different types of pain relief. for example:- TENS machine, pregablin, gabapetin, physio, and follow ups with a Nurse Sister who is fantastic, I explained I was using the TENS machine, however I was lusing it wrong, She explained about all the nerve endings etc. She also had a print out of the body and explained a lot visually, She is also able to write prescriptions, so if you both decide to try a new medication, and they also write to your GP with all the information you have discussed. My pain clinic never makes me feel like a fake. I bought my TENS machine from chemistdirect.co.uk not very expensive, it's the pads that cost as the sticky does not last very long. XXx

[dottiedog]

thank everyone am taking on board all your good advice. Phoned GP's & have an appointment 10/07/12 ( you have to be ill in advance at my pratice!) Will ask to be refered to pain clinic then see what happens. xxx soft hugs dottiedog