Pain clinic fail.....😖 (long rant sorry)

[Toplady]

I had an appointment with the pain clinic consultant last week after being seen by his registrar to get my pain medication sorted out. I’ve had chronic pain since a spontaneous Sacral fracture five years ago. I take Naproxen, Nortriptyline, Co-Codamol and Butrans patches. These had all been prescribed by the pain consultant's registrar over a period of 18 months. I also use crutches and a powerchair to mobilise.

I asked if there were any other things to help with my pain such as spinal-cord stimulator or more injections but he said he didn’t think any of these were suitable. He then went on to examine me and doing the course of the examination, he pulled my knickers down at the side and pointed out my belly which absolutely mortified me. I burst into tears and could barely follow the rest of the appointment. He then went on to say that some of my pain was caused by muscular issues because of the weight of my belly resting on my legs and the push and pull of the muscles to keep me upright. By this time I was in hysterics, but he kept talking at me, didn’t ask me any questions about my current meds and then asked me about had I tried Lidocaine patches? When I said no, he said "right we’ll give these a try then is that okay?"

I know I was a quivering wreck so just wiped my eyes and said yes, shook his hand and left. I then wheeled myself into the nearest disabled toilet and had a good cry.

Whilst I’ll readily admit that I’ve put on weight since I’ve been disabled, I did try and explain to him that previous to this I was a fit and healthy size 12 secondary school teacher. And that I wasn’t a lazy person was sat round on their bum all day. He said 'he was sorry if it made me feel that way, he didn’t mean it' but still insisted that the pain was an 'ache' and didn’t listen to me when I tried to explain exactly how my pain felt.

I came away from the appointment feeling actually humiliated. I have never had to convince a doctor of my pain before; they have always been hugely supportive as my fracture was such an unusual one. I don’t know whether to try and arrange another appointment with him (when I don’t cry 😣) so that I can try and find out exactly what he was trying to say or whether to just leave it, go back to my usual pain clinic doctor and carry on with him?

Any suggestions??

[FRreedman]

I would, immediately write a letter of complaint to the CEO of the hospital, and advise my GP that I did not wish to see this consultant ever again. He has absolutely no right whatsoever to touch your underwear, and certainly should not comment on what he saw.

[Toplady in reply to FRreedman]

Thanks, I was thinking about it, I was totally mortified and as a result just cried throughout the appointment. I’ll get in touch with my local liaison people and see what they say. Thanks.

[FRreedman in reply to Toplady]

please keep us posted. We need to remind these doctors they are not G-d.

[katieoxo60]

Hi, hope you have recovered from this incentative onslaught. I went to the pain clinic and one consultation was highly productive but another was a total waste of time &NHS money as all they suggested was keep up with the drugs I already am on, when the whole point was to see if there was any other option. If I was you I would stick with the one who is helpful for you, pain management is a very individual thing. Yes weight can be a problem too but for most of us it is caused by our immobility. When disabled we cannot move as rapid as in the past, I used to be a 6st skinny lizzy, very active until I had a Hysterectomy. I am now way overweight but still more active than someone younger than me and like yourself do not sit around doing nothing all day. Like you I recent the suggestion that merely losing weight would solve my health problems, as I know it would not. Best wishes with any further pain clinic attendances.

[Emma2017]

What a terrible thing to go through. He clearly is in the wrong profession as empathy should come as a must. I put on weight because of my medication and less mobility. I have actually lost some recently by trying hard to eat less but it’s mega hard. I would definitely complain to the hospital and insist on seeing anybody but this guy again. Take care.

[Alanjones]

I will say it in one word ''Oxycontin'' get your doctor to prescribe this ………….job done. For some guidance I was prescribed 30 mg three years ago the pain clinic put me on a reduction programme, I went down to 15 mg but could not cope so my GP put it up to 20 mg and I am now coping. So ignore the pain clinic and do everything through your GP.

[Kateruby]

I would certainly report him and not just to his immediate superior, also your GP, Consultant, and to your MP. What he did was totally unacceptable, when I went all I was recommended Mindfulness which is something I've been trying for 20years!!!!

[Dina77]

Did you rule out arachnoiditis?