Pain Management Program

[Paul1874]

Hey all, I started an 8 week pain management program this week on the psychological effects of pain and how it impacts on you. It is designed to help you cope better with the pain(not reduce it though); which is where I am now after being told again short of surgery this is the way it's going to be now. Has anyone done anything similar? I am confident it will help me manage better and not define everything I do any longer. What are your thoughts? I have done some mindfulness but this is a lot more in depth.

[Bananas5]

Well done Paul - thesse courses can be invaluable.

When anyone has a life changing event, accident, which causes chronic oain you go through a number of emotiions. Rather like bereavement.

Denial, anger, blame, sadness and can't remember the others!

For far too many they yearn for the life they once had. Running up Mts, playing with their kids, good job or just being able to wash and dress without pain. Sadly that has gone. It is a memory and treat is as a happy one. Now you haave to learn how to do things differently, hopefully, to reduce the pain. We all do it even those who don't suffer CP. You adapt what you have to do with your own personal circumstances.

So the pain management will teach you how to let go of the past and look to the here and now and further ahead..

You can't carry anything so you use a trolley on wheels. Each and everyone finds some way to do what they need.

You should alsi learn how to pace yourself. Golden rule number one and my hobby horse! How not to wash the car, cut the grass, walk the dog and go out in the evening. You can't and you will pay heavily.

Good Luck. Listen and learn from others. Stad you in good stead for the future.

Pat x

[janh]

Hi there

I did the PMC and I thought it would be a conplete waste of time. However, one thing I did pick up on was mindfulness. It has chsnged the way I think of everything I've got wrong with me. I now follow a one of the cds every night. It tesches you to breathe properly and how going back to your breaths can actually make the pain less. I use it daily and it has become a way of life for me. Of course I still have flares, fatigue and everything that goes with it, but I know a better day will happen now. Try it please.

Best wishes jan h

[Grumpygrampa]

I am in the same boat but my surgeon advised me not to get the operation on my lower back as it was dangerous and there was no guarantee the pain would be any better,so my only option was the pain clinic the problem there is I tried it years ago and I couldn't see the point that I try to cope with the pain ,I never gave it a chance as I felt it was not getting rid of the pain it was like they thought it was in my mind.I am now waiting to go back now after years of trying everything else,I now realise that I need help to help control the pain or at lease try and cope as it has wore me down,I would be interested how it works as this to me is my last hope of trying to cope and keeping a open mind ,good luck with it would be interested how if any help it gives you to cope .yours Grumpygrampa

[superannie in reply to Grumpygrampa]

I am in the same boat as you. Advised surgery too dangerous and no guarantee of any pain relief. Also was not giving pain clinic a chance. I am now at the stage where I have been re referred to the pain clinic. I will let you know how I get on. Ann

[Paul1874 in reply to superannie]

I had emergency surgery last year, looking at how to move forward with the pain as a second op isn't a option at moment.

[Paul1874 in reply to Grumpygrampa]

I had a 50/50 operation but didn't have much choice as I couldn't walk at time or dress myself. I am fortunate as I can do both again but my back and nerve pain is at times as bad as before the surgery. It's hard as some surgeries have complete success but on the other hand it could have been alot worse.

[Hidden in reply to Paul1874]

I could have a 50/50 operation but the odds are not good enough for me. I'd rather wait as advised until my quality of life is so bad that it won't matter if it doesn't work. And meantime, they might discover one that does work, like 3d printing bony transplant parts to replace the ones that are missing in me. Although I suppose the new body structure and correct muscle alignment will cause pain too.

[deejames]

Waiting to go to the initial meeting next month. I'm expecting good things. I really do need support

[Hidden]

Brilliant way to get used to the new you and work out the next part of your life journey. It's a chance to step back and re-assess what is important to you, try things you have always wanted to do, learn new things.

You will learn lots of things at the pain clinic, some will help others won't. Everyone is different. It's up to you how you use them. It's quite liberating.

We all wish for total freedom from pain, but the reality is that if you respect your pain and give it what it needs it will melt into the background. You might need to do some imtensive work on it initially, but in time you'll be able to reduce it. You'll get to know the limits of your pain and work out ways to maintain it evenly rather than spiking and causing set backs.

You'll get the confidence to try different alternative solutions - afterall, if you can't pamper yourself with an aromatherapy massage relaxing body and mind when in pain, when can you?

You will surprise yourself with your own talents and resourcefulness and one day, you will notice that you are not focused on coping anymore because you have built strategies that work for you into your life.

There is no secret really just being positive and building on it.

I was at a pain clinic in 2006, got some valuable direction and strategies, and since have discovered many more things that help. I continue to search and try new things. I started a business so I can be in control of when and how I work. I rarely use medication prefering alternative solutions. I've discovered creativity in many forms and can honestly say my life is richer than if I had no pain. I would be working my butt off in a 9 - 5 job, getting burned out by the end of week. Rushing around at the weekend trying to fit in all the things I want to do. Being totally stressed. Now, I have a lovely creative business which has morphed in it's own direction, I know my body limits and I know what happens if I over step them. I have strategies that get me through the day. The pain is there but I rarely notice it unless I get out my comfort zone.

[XHausted]

Morning all,

Question if I may - how do you get on to a programme like that, and how do you convince a Chronic Pain Sufferer who does not believe in 'airy fairy stuff' like mindfulness to give it a try - especially when Pain Clinic / Consultant have told them they cannot do anything because the patient's attending consultants won't let them prescribe their favourite meds?

Any pointers appreciated.

[maggi999]

I have to say that my pain Management Course was invaluable. I was in despair when I was diagnosed with Fibro and I learned a tremendous amount from it.

Yes, you do have to be receptive and the most important thing to remember is that any improvements to your mobility, exercise etc has to be at YOUR pace, because each attendee will be starting from a different point.

It is in your own interests to maximise your own potential - because nobody else can do it for you x

[Suem1960]

Hi Paul,

I went on a 6 week pain management course several years ago at Chelsea & Westminster, I found it helped me with pacing and the relaxation sessions were also helpful.

It was good to meet people who understood how I felt and I didn't feel as if I was whinging when talking about my pain, I think most of us have found ways of coping but it's good to try different things, I would say it can't hurt but you'd know I was lying !

Regards

Sue

[Worryer]

Can you give us some more info on it like the requirements to participating in the program?