Pain management...

[LauraleeH]

Hi everyone,

I was referred to pain management a while ago now and am still awaiting an appointment but just wanted to know roughly how long the each session lasts?

😊

[HearYou]

Depends on what the pain management specialist determines is best for you and far behind he is his with his patient schedule; you may be waiting a while past your appointment time before the specialist sees you. lol May refer you to PT, or RX pain meds or epidural procedure to control the pain. I see my specialist once a month. Wait 40 minutes or more, have less than 10 minutes with him.

[RobBackPain-UK]

Hi Lauralee,

It depends on so many things. I've been to a couple different ones, and they operated very differently.

Do you mind if I ask which one you will be seen at?

If it's one I know, I be glad to give you some relevant info, and maybe even some tips.

What "HearYou" says, is very true, it depends on what they determine.

From my understanding of many of the programs it depends which path you are immediately put into.

1) there are still medical options to fix/help you. For example, injections, operations, more investigation.

In this case it will be basically follow up appointments and access to some relevant people, programmes etc..

2) investigations are done, and there are no more medical options to help you (my situation)

This case is very different, there tend to be more, longer, in depth options to get you to a point where you can move forward with life, based on what you have.

This is some very general info, without knowing your condition, which pain centre, or a bunch of other stuff.

I have experienced both sides of it, and an currently waiting for my new program to start which will be 9:30-4:30 mon-fri, for 3 weeks.

Please feel free to message me if I can help in any way at all.

Good luck!!!

Rob

Ps. The first "assessment" session usually lasts between 45-90 mins, from my experience

[itsmecathie in reply to RobBackPain-UK]

You should get direct number ask where in line you Re .. The injections were best thing ever first time had four each time getting worse I am in serious pain since last one belive damage has been done was offered classes on how to move forward to learn 5o deal with your pain was so shocked came away thinking how dare you its not in my mind it's real since last injection fas far far more painfull than any I had also was pulling me up off the bed from my back said sorry about that .belive damaged something going back belive scan to check for damage shd be looked into. Bloody in my mind this is real pain I did.T have before so angry I allowed this th3y have damaged me before took two yrs to work out I was taking so much more morphine to help with pain turns out they done damage had to fix it.. b3 careful when thinking about spinal injections I'm crippled with burning and intense burning pain now.

[LauraleeH in reply to itsmecathie]

Thank you for replying. Where would I get the direct number from? I've been referred to Hayward's Heath even though I live in Brighton, I was referred at the beginning of January, I know referrals can take a long time but this is ridiculous. I've been on crutches for nearly four years now as I cannot bear too much weight on my left leg. Been on so many different tablets and liquids. I was on Oramorph and Zomorph for about 4 years, the orthopaedic said the longer you are on the morphine it starts doing the adverse affects. I've just managed to come off them. I've had 3 corticosteroid injections with no joy. Are they the injections you had? I had a DEXA scan in January and was told my spine is thinning and I now have Osteopenia, one step away from osteoporosis at the age of 26. I had never heard of the DEXA scan until my Dietician told me to have one, I was quite surprised that the GP or Rheumatologist didn't refer me to have one. When I was told I would probably need to see a psychologist I was outraged at the thought that they think its all in my head too. If they weren't so slow in diagnosing me then maybe all this damage wouldn't have been caused.

Sorry for the long reply, I rant on the days it all gets to me. 😊

[Sazntef]

For appointments with the consultant for medication reviews, injections and invasive activities you'll be seen for around 10 minutes.

For sessions with the pain clinic for more physio, relaxation, mental health, and non invasive discussion it's more of a 30 minute individual session or a 3 hour group session.

Hope that helps x

[Emma2017]

It depends what the options are the specialist sees as a way forward. It also most likely depends on what kind of pain you are referred to him/her for. I am currently seeing one and he is most patient and friendly and sees me for up to an hour each time. But it is best to prepare yourself beforehand and write down symptoms you are experiencing and any questions you may have as you are bound to forget them when you are there.

[LauraleeH]

Thank you for all your replies.

I have Ankylosing Spondylitis and have recently found out I also have osteopenia oh and coeliac disease. I have tried so many different things. I tried physio but that just made the pain worse and now I'm on crutches with limited movement in my left leg. I tried two different types of Anti-TNF and corticosteroids with no success. I'm on about 20 tablets a day and I can't stand it anymore, taking all these tablets that do nothing.

I've been referred to the Princess Royal in Hayward's Heath.

Have any of you guys got Ankylosing Spondylitis or something similar.

Really appreciate your replies, thanks again

😊

[jeabgaff in reply to LauraleeH]

Have you been in touch with NASS whch is the National Ankylosing Spoondylititis Society? That might be a helpful website. Hope the pain clinic helps - when you get there. good luck.

[jpain]

Like others have said pain management seems to differ in approach in different places.

Some seem to focus on medication from what I've heard but the one I've been sent to is more about cbt type things and talking about pacing and sleep quality and that kind of stuff.

I waited a few months (can't remember exactly when i got referred) for first appointment which was in December which lasted 30 mins and was talking about what type of pain I had and how I tried to manage it, what I was able/unable to do etc. She also gave me some links to some websites on pain management. She mentioned possibility of group sessions in the future but thought a series of 1 to 1s would be good initially so had my second appointment (also lasting 30mins) in February which was a bit disappointing to be honest. She asked me at the beginning how i was etc and i said how my sleep had improved massively the last month but then she proceeded to give almost a monologue to me about how to improve sleep for the rest of the appointment - I think the topic for the appointment had already been decided before it started! So while not a complete waste of time it was a bit dispiriting after i had gone through the pain of trekking over there.

Have just got notice of 3rd appointment but this is not til June - so quite a wait between appointments but hoping this one might be a bit more helpful. Will have to see what the topic of the day will be. I'm guessing maybe pacing this time!

Hope you find your appointment(s) useful whatever form they take.