How long is normal for wait to see NHS pain clinic?

[lesdun]

I was diagnosed last year as having this thing and no painkillers seem to have an effect on it. My Dr has me down to see someone at the pain clinic but I have been waiting for over 8 months is this normal? Cheers mi dears Les

[Hidden]

hi i waitedabout 12 weeks to get to see mine then was discharged as there was nothing they could do for me lol so waited 3 months for a 15 min appointment only to be told you are not worth messing around with we cant do anything for you and that was that lol but hopefully you may be seen quicker it all depend on where you live /who you see/ what exactly you have wrong there ius akot offactors to takein but i knew they would write meoff lol oh well good luck woth it anyway love diddle xxx

[Hidden]

Hi yeah I waited couple of months to be told your exaggerating .... So I went back to my Dr he referred me to another rheumatologist and a different pain clinic both nearer. Rheumatologist discharged me saying my dr was doing a great job nothing he could do for me ..... But the rheumatologist did get me the appointment with orthotics which I am getting specially made insoles and he contacted social services who came out to my bungalow and they gave me some aids and put up a rail up so I could get out into the garden. Wow that makes me sound so old i am 47. Have to keep reminding myself...... i feel 80.The new pain clinic immediately put me on 3 monthly trigger point injections. If you can find a good gp he won't give up on you and will find you some help. Also the rheumatologist although he couldn't help me put me in contact with 2 different services that could so never give up. My dr is used to seeing me as much as once a week when I can't cope or the meds don't work and he always says don't worry I know how bad fibro is we will find a something to suit... Don,t know if that will ever happen but I am never made to feel I am a nucience or a hypochondriac.

Helen x

[fairycazzie in reply to Hidden]

Ahhh your Dr sounds lovely!

I am 43 and just on reading your bit can you get insoles on NHS ?

I am at Dr's next wk but bought some from a proper coblers and still seem rubbish!

Its like buying underlay for carpet i imagine and i thought coblers be better than shops.

Xxxxxxxxx huggles xxx

[Hidden]

I would say this is not normal, so call the pain clinic direct, you may have dropped off the system , it has happened to me. Good luck Cazx

[Betty67]

I had to wait 2 weeks for an appointment that was then in 6 weeks so you are definately waiting too long. Also unlike other people experience really really helpful.

[NuttyNanna]

When I was first referred to the pain clinic it took about 6 weeks. Sunderland Hospital were wonderful and sorted my medication out.They have also loaned me a tens machine . My first referral was 4 year ago now and I can phone the hospital secretary and she asks the consultant to see me.My consultant is absolutely marvellous and made me feel like someone was listening. Just a tip for when you do get your appointment. Get a notebook for yourself and write in your main concerns...for example...pain medication not working...or stuff like unable to sleep.Anyway hope you get an appointment asap xxx

[Hidden]

For info on local pain clinics click on the link below -

"Pain management programmes can help you to learn how to manage your pain, increase your activities and have a better quality of life. This is done with a combination of group therapy, exercises, relaxation and education about pain and the psychology of pain.

For more information on pain clinics in your area, visit The British Pain Society".

britishpainsociety.org/

[Devonlady]

The pain management took three months for apt. On the plus side they put me in charge of my own meds but only after telling be that I could be cured and back to full time work if I got on their back to work program. I was expected to be at hospital for the course at 8.30 am after a bus trip of three different busses and a journey time of hour and half. I said by the time I got there I would need a sleep to recover not that my brain can function at 8.30 let alone getting up at 6.30 to get ready. They signed me off their books as they said I was obviously not interested in being cured. Really? Funnily enough my specialist fell about laughing when I told him I could be cured and choaked when told their start time. His words "they obviously have no idear what fibro is". Thank God for an intelegent specialist. I got better help in managing fibro with a well trained phisio group that tome me to pace and not boom and bust with exercise.

[lesdun]

Thanks too all, this was most hellpful. I had a feeling I was waiting far too long! But according to Dr there is a very long waiting list, in Scotland, Cheers mi dears. (",)x