Pain clinic

[blacky000]

Hello everyone what is this pain clinic and what do they do there my physio is sending me one ,thanks

[Hidden]

Hi blacky000. Pain Clinic in my own experience, only prescribe medication. Took 7 months to get my first appointment. Next should have been 4 months later, they cancelled 3 further times. So saw them again 11 months later (for my second appointment). Should be seeing them in six months, I'm at month 9 and still waiting.

The first appointment prescribed 100 gabapentin, and second appointment 120 codeine. Neither have worked for me

You never you may be in a better area and have more support from your Pain Clinic.

[blacky000]

Thank you no-one it's good to know how different people from different areas get treated , I've already been on gabapentin that did nothing ,then they gave me pregablin and that does nothing for my pain,but it makes me feel like I loose my mind cause I forget things easily so I came of that to ,did the gabapentin do anything like that to you ,

[Bananas5]

Hello blacky000

We have been very lucky, if that is luck, to have attebded 3 pain clinic over 25 years. One in North Yorkshire and 2 in Scotland. Each time the staff vrom clerk up to Consultant have been nothing but kidness and professionals.

You have to realise that the Pain clinics are for Chronic Pain sufferers and often called the last chance saln. They are not miracle workers. They will offer you 'pain management' which is often a selection of self help, pjysio, drugs and alternative therapy.

This can not all be done in the first visit and due to understaffing can take some months or even longer to get a package which works for you.

If you know what causes your pain then yo are half way to getting some relief. Unfortunately many people do not know why they suffer chronic pain.

Obviously some drugs suit some people better than others so there has to be some trial and error. But they will persevere to get you as pain free as posib.e

Self management does play a huge part with relaxation tapes, pacing yourself snf not expecting to carry on as you did before. Your life will never be the same and if you try to do the same things you are likely to have a flir up. One of the worse things for anyone to endure or witness. Mostly they can be prevented.

So go with an open mind and there is every possibility you can be helped. There is far too much negativity amongst pain sufferers who give up when the first drug doesn't work. be patirnt and Good Luck.

pat x

[Hidden]

Hello blacky000

Oh the world will open up to you, seriously.

Your first appointment will be to access what the problems that you have and if initial improvements can be instigated to your medications. The first appointment also deals with you too see if you will benefit from a series of courses that they will offer. Sometimes they will ask you to a further appointment if you are a borderline case, although this might not happen, next you will attend a further meeting in a classroom environment, they will explain what is available generally and what may help you, From the use of TENS to talks on how you talk to your GP and explanations associated with pain and how you will describe it.

Further sections will explain the treatments that may benefit you, for your condition, also a further course that will be offered is relaxation techniques, known as the Alexander technique, Some of the courses will last for about six weeks or six appointments, you are generally given a set of CD s to help to learn relaxation.

The use of medications and how too take them will also be taught and further information on other subjects may be explained

Over the years I have been to two different clinics all have their own ideas. You will need too fill a questionaare at your first appointment to help them decide what may help you to live with your condition

So enjoy, take part and you will learn a great deal, if you go with an open mind

All the best

BOB.

[johnsmith in reply to Hidden]

hi Bob

Alexander technique is not relaxation technique. It is a method by which you develop mindfulness of how your body works. It teaches you to be more sensitive to over tense muscles.

Which Pain Clinic did you go to that taught Alexander technique?

[Hidden in reply to johnsmith]

Hello

Newcastle upon Tyne and Northumberland , Northumberland Mental Health,

Mindfulness is part of relaxation, their are two techniques used in RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

1 Alexander Technique in pain clinic

2 Maxwell Technique used in Mental Health clinics

I have been taught the two different systems.

You need to relax your body in both.

According to mindfulness is the relaxation of your body hence the two different techniques. so why have they been calling these names for the last thirty years.

Over the years I have been able to relax and reduce heart and pulse rate,

Mindfullness

Simply know yourself

What pain clinics have you been too

All the best

BOB

[johnsmith in reply to Hidden]

Hi Bod

Thanks for the reply. I need to be careful about the meaning of words. I do both Alexander Technique and Mindfulness. I have been doing both for over 35 years.

I have done guided relaxation on the floor and yoga relaxation. The relaxation from this is very different from the lack of muscle tension you obtain from the Alexander Technique. How many lessons have you had? Have you had the experience of not knowing how to get off a chair and you remain stuck in the chair not knowing how to move? I have experienced that a few times.

Muscles can have three states:

1. Relaxed where the muscles are switched off

2. Shortened and tense

3. Just the right tension for the job with the muscles pulling in the opposite direction releasing to allow just the right tension.

It is the third state that one attempts to achieve in the Alexander Technique. To achieve this state requires observation and a lot of thought with help from a Alexander Teacher to enable you how what the experience of this state is.

Mindfulness as I know it is not relaxation. It can certainly help you achieve a state that is not tense. Sitting balanced and upright requires some muscular tension of the right sort. Walking and practising Mindfulness requires some muscular tension of the right sort. The letting go and not holding onto and not judging of the technique does enable you to become more relaxed.

I engage in Mindfulness as taught by the Theravada Buddhist of Thai Forrest Tradition. I recieve teachings from Buddhist monks on a regular basis. I have been on Buddhist day retreats. I dare not do longer because of my health.

I am in Southampton. I have been taught Mindfulness there for 18 months under the NHS. There are subtle differences from psychogical Mindfulness techniques and the Buddhist Mindfulness techniques. The psychological Mindfulness is something you do. The Buddhist Mindfulness is something you live.

I have been to Oddstock pain clinic in Salisbury and have been to the Southampton Pain Clinic. For me because of what I do the pain clinics where helpful in that they gave a diagnosis that did not imply I had a screw loose. Some GP's I have met like to imply a mental health problem when you have something that cannot be seen. The MRI scans I have had have shown I have some body problems.

Both techniques are not about relaxing and reducing heart and pulse rate. Although they certainly help relax and reduce heart and pulse rate as well as blood pressure.

[Hidden in reply to johnsmith]

Hello John

I have been doing the Alexander technique now for thirty years, also the Maxwell technique for thirty years.

Now I am able to reduce blood pressure through to what the clinic MAY CALL self hypnosis, when you close your eyes to relax your body my muscle tone relaxes and my eyes open, I only see the shadow of people, I can keep this state now for long periods of time, I can hear people that are talking. and use the Maxwell technique that helps you relax in a noisy environment this helps me concentrate upon the areas that are bothering me. Sadly it only gives relief for short periods, Although it helps in relaxation and reduces knots in my pains, that is how I imagine painful joints etc

It has been quite a time now that I attended pain clinic, although they were very impressed how I had developed my relaxation technique. I have heard of mindfulness and I take that as you become mindfull of your body this can include posture etc and how take away the stresses that the body suffers.

This is my way of understanding these types, techniques, my system has not been assisted by Buddist monks. I ha

[johnsmith in reply to Hidden]

Hi Bob

Thank for the reply.

Do you still have Alexander Lessons and do you teach?

You haven't quite got mindfulness right. There is the book definition and you have that. However there are subtleties which are learnt from those who have practiced it under a teacher. Psalms in the Old Testament give hints of this.

Aruna Ratanagiri Buddhist Monastery (Harnham Buddhist Monastery) is a Theravada Buddhist monastery of the Thai Forest Tradition in Northumberland, England.

Aruna Ratanagiri,

Harnham, Belsay, Northumberland, NE20 0HF

ratanagiri.org.uk/talks/ might give you a flavour of what mindfulness is about.

I use what they teach in handling the pain and discomfort I experience. As you know one of the big problems in pain management is the mental distress that pain generates.

There is nothing like bending a teacher's ear about the problems you have and finding that there are possible solutions.

[Hidden in reply to johnsmith]

Hello John smith

A few years ago before I moved up to Berwick I was information officer for a mental health charity, I trained several people, in the art of the Maxwell technique, with additions of the Alexander technique, this was used in a mental health environment, so they were able to clear their minds and just relax,some conditions can prove a problem because of the medications that they digest.

Sami lyne monastary is up at Eskdailemure,they have another monastery just of the Isle of Arran,

Excuse spelling, I have known some who had taken courses, personally I have not.

It is located 30 miles in the middle of no where and is in very attractive peaceful countryside, I have a caravan up near there, you can here sparrows pass wind.

Holy Island of Arran is another very peaceful place

We all need to understand a patients pain is relative to that person and not the same as the patient, in the bed next door with the same condition , .

[johnsmith in reply to Hidden]

Hi Bob

I have to think of the reply for a few days plus the fact I had a very heavy weekend which required all my concentration.

I do not know if a patient's pain is relative to that person or not. The only pain I can feel is my own and what I feel is very variable.

The only way to deal with the pain is to study and observe it with a quiet mind. This takes a lot of time to learn. Different people have a different understanding of what is required.

It is not a case of understanding but a case of learning to do what needs to be done. Some people do not have the capacity to do the exploring. some peo0ple do. The people who do have the capacity lay out the map for others to follow.

Things are made difficult because who has the right map to follow. This what we need to do is build maps that can be independently verified rather than make profits for the pharmaceutical companies.

I am interested in your suggestions how to build these maps.

[blacky000]

Thank you to you all who have answered I'm understanding things more clearly now ,best regards to you all .blacky

[ladybear]

A 3 week pain management Programme such as that at Bronllys Mid Wales, introduces new ways to look at pain, exercise, sleeping, pacing and reduction in medications. I think it is different to a Pain Clinic. If anyone finds that there pain medication no longer works, has horrid side effects that outweight the benefits etc then I would suggest they ask their doctor about referral to a pain management Programme. No medication is given here but new life skills are introduced to help the person to live with their chronic condition. Its amazing how much we do 'wrong' with out bodies and minds as we try to cope with pain and the effects of medication. A pain management programme with emphasis on reducing pain meds and thus side effects allows you to see the reality of what the meds are masking and can indeed give you a better quality of life. The change from 'victim patient' to 'enabled patient' is empowering in itself.

[missrat]

Pain clinics vary a lot. Mine is exceptionally good at procedures such as radio-frequency facet joint denervation, steroid injections etc. which can be really helpful. I've just had that this week.

[Calceolaria in reply to missrat]

Missrat, what is this radio-controlled facet joint enervation treatment please ?

[Calceolaria in reply to missrat]

Sorry, got that hilariously wrong! Hope you know what I meant. I sure don't want any enervation !!!