pain clinic declined facet joint injection because I have fibromyalgia.

[mimimouse]

I have just attended a pain clinic they are debating what to offer me if anything. I suffer with fibromyalgia cfs and arthritis in spine and sciatica. They said it is a waste of time giving me any pain injections because they do not work if you have fibromyalgia. Also because of my fatigue I would not be able to do the required exercises to make it worth while. Has anyone else had experiences with pain clinics in Wales UK? x

[Bananas5]

Can't help with much of your question but was interested in their logic behind not being able to do any of the exercises.

What exercises to make what worthwhile?

Even the most severely disabled person can benefit from some form of exercise. Odd

Sorry to add another question to your list.

Pat x

[mimimouse in reply to Bananas5]

Hi thank you for your reply, see the response I gave earthwitch, perhaps I should have been more clear in my first statement.x

[earthwitch]

If they are talking about steroid injections, then I believe that is right that steroids don't do anything for fibro. As far as the back exercises go, you could try asking to see a physio to find out for yourself whether you could do the exercises even if you are fatigued, and if you can do them, then you could go back and discuss the injections again. Back exercises are really important for back problems, so I guess you wouldn't get the full benefits of any injection if you didn't also do the exercises they suggest. I think they also seem to like you to give exercises a really good try before they go onto things like injections.

[mimimouse in reply to earthwitch]

I think what they meant was that because my fatigue is so bad I would not be able to reach a decent standard of health to benefit from the injections, they said that the injections are usually given to people who would benefit more than me. I do a very gentle set of back exercises every day , depending on my fatigue less or more. I also do stretches every day. I have recently finished a course at a cfs /me clinic and they thought that a big problem I had was pacing, leading to massive crashes lasting weeks followed by a better period where I would pickup my exercises again and generally do too much. This programme has helped with me no longer having the crashes where the exercises are abandoned but in order to achieve this I have to listen to my body and do everything in very small amounts including the exercises. x

[mimimouse]

I have also been working with a physio from the cfs clinic who is guiding me through these exercises.x

[Sheryl4659]

Hi I live in North Wales and under the Betwsy cadwalader health (excuse spelling) who have just been put in special measures, I was due to have an injection in my back at the beginning of May, I saw the pain Nurse at the beginning of March who was new to the clinic, as she was unable to help me to any new medication at the time I asked her to book my epidural, she said she would talk to Dr Lake who ran the clinic and either I would get an appt for the hospital for the epidural or another appt with her, neither arrived so I rang the clinic and was told all injections were suspended for the foreseeable future I now have been given an appt to see the new pain consultant as Dr Lake has retired, on 29th July, it was originally 29th August but my GP wrote to them to ask if it could be brought forward as I was in so much pain. I have since had a phone call from the clinic to say my appt will now last approx 2 hrs as it will be multi disciplinary ie consultant, physio, pain nurse and psychologist. I know of 1 person who has been to one of these apps and it appears to be a cost cutting excercise to get as many people as possible of the injections as they are costly, it now remains to be seen.

[mimimouse in reply to Sheryl4659]

Hi sheryl4659, I too live in North Wales and have just attended one such multi disciplinary consultation at the pain clinic. It did cross my mind that perhaps because of the special measures the health board have been put in that injections wouldn't be on the cards! I had the impression I was being fobbed off a bit. I suffer with so much back pain as well as other arthritic pain as well as sciatica and the general fibro pain and was hoping for a bit of help. I have waited months for my first appointment. They are yet to come up with a plan for me but it sure wont be injections, I do hope you manage to have better luck than me. x

[mimimouse]

I agree with you dan9878 and yes some of the pain does come from the facet joints.x