Hi everyone, I am currently experiencing chronic pain in several areas of my body. I have a slipped disc L5/S1, Sciatica, degenerative discs in my back, pain in right shoulder due to two unsuccessful operations. In addition my right arm is painful with my hand having reduced grip/strength and pins and needles. My leg muscles have a constant dull ache and with my sciatica I get shooting pains down to my Achilles. My foot has also gone numb which meant I went over my ankle and tripped. I am also experiencing new neck pain which restricts the movement. I am unable to control my bladder at times. I am extremely exhausted all the time and don’t sleep well during the night due to all the pain. I currently mobiles with crutches
Sorry I think that’s all my symptoms!! I met with a Pain Consultant today, he did not take the time to ask me about my deteriorating symptoms and made me feel like it was all in my head and there was nothing they could do. I asked him what consultant I should see privately and he said a pain consultant. I am at a loss and feel like I have absolutely no life due to my pain. I also feel like a burden to my parents, I know they worry and are emotional when they are not with me.
I just don’t know where to turn to next, I have done everything the GP, Physiotherapist, Neurologist, Pain Consultant, Orthopaedic Surgeon has asked of me but I get no where. I have tried every treatment, medication etc they have asked me to try but I am still in so much pain and it’s getting worse daily. So sorry for the long winded post but I just don’t know what to do for the best. Any suggestions/recommendations would really be appreciated xx
Written by
NICCP01
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I feel for you as I have very similar symptoms. Had a decompression & fusion 10 years ago due to several prolapsed discs . I also have severe spinal stenosis , which causes pins & needles & numbness in my hands & feet. My pain consultant was excellent & I have had 2 lots of injections into my upper spine & am waiting for one in my lower spine . These have helped so much but get discharged after the next injection. I have learned to pace myself & find swimming is the only exercise I can do that doesn't cause a flaire up. Keep pushing your GP . Best of luck xx
Thank you for your reply Hzhr7, my Pain Consultant was rather dismissive of me today which was upsetting. He did not ask me about the new symptoms I’m experiencing. He kept saying all the tests etc showed no cause for concern however these were undertaken several years ago.
Thankfully I have a very understanding GP who allows me time to talk and is very sympathetic. She does every referral possible however some specialists state they won’t see me as I don’t fit their criteria. I’m so glad you had a positive experience with the Pain Consultant, it makes such a difference when you have someone who understands your conditions/pain. Wishing you the best of luck in your journey, fingers crossed it continues to be positive for you xx
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I would most certainly search for another pain consultant or specialist, I know in the UK it’s not as easy as here in the US but your GP should find you a new one. Based on your description there are clear reasons why you could be in pain, no reason why your concerns should be dismissed. That being said many practitioners default to anxiety and mental issues when they don’t have concrete diagnostic proof of something physically being wrong, even pain specialists which is sad. I wish you the best in your search for relief.
I can really empathise, I was put under a chronic pain clinic, however I didn't find them to be any use.. I hope you find some peace from your pain, nothing worse than living with it every day.. at least you have a good GP hope they can help find you some relief xx
Thank you for your reply Pat9, the Pain Consultant I saw yesterday has now organised for me to see another one in his Department. Hopefully another perspective might be of some help. I wish you all the best in your recovery xx
I assumed once you have tried everything possible to manage pain issues thats when they send you to pain clinic ….. What happened to your right shoulder that’s causing numbness in your hand?
Hi Batty1, thank you for your reply. I have been referred to the Pain Clinic several times during the years of suffering pain. I had an impingement of my right shoulder and calcification. Both operations have been unsuccessful in reducing the pain. I had the operation on my left shoulder for the same reasons and it was successful. Hope you are well today.
I’m sorry to hear you are experiencing these symptoms Batty1, as you say it’s never ending - I can completely sympathise with you xx
I recently found out that the Orthopaedic Surgeon who undertook the two operations on my right shoulder had made a very serious error with another patients hand/wrist and was suspended on full pay until he completed remedial work. However he continued to work at a private hospital in the area during this time. Finding this out has left me with doubts about my surgery and others he has operated on. He is now back working with the NHS. He had only just completed my second operation before all of this happened, I was then reviewed by him months later when he returned to the NHS. He advised me there was nothing else he could do and I would have to “manage the pain”. Very easy to say that but as we all know chronic pain is very difficult to manage.
I wish you well and hope you get some answers regarding the pain you are experiencing xx
I couldn’t believe it when I read about it, was in the local papers - shocking. When I saw the Pain Consultant this week I had notes stating all my symptoms which he barely read. I also noted about the shoulder operations and wanted a review of the area so I will see if anything comes from that. If not I will mention it to the next Pain Consultant he is referring me to xx
Hi, I had very similar symptoms, leg numbness, aching muscles and a dragging heavy feeling in legs on top of sciatica (like you) pins and needles, together with a lot of pain. I had spinal stenosis and discs and vertebrae slipping. I was referred to a spinal surgeon who said I needed surgery but that he wasn’t the right person to do it and he referred me to a neuro surgeon who eventually carried out surgery. It was a long job and a long haul back but it was worth it. I hope you find someone to help you..
Hi Whizzymaz, thanks for your reply. It’s very frustrating when I know there is something wrong with me but all the tests come back negative. I find some GPS/Consultants quite dismissive for some reason whether it’s a lack of knowledge or I don’t fit their criteria. I’m pretty sure none of us would fake this pain as it’s absolutely debilitating. Glad you found a procedure that helped you, all the best in your recovery xx
Your problems sound very similar to mine. I’ve been in the system for my skeletal problems since about 2010. Originally referred to a neurosurgeon for my various spinal problems, he said that both my hips were so bad that he couldn’t assess my spine until my hips were replaced. Before I could proceed with the hip replacements, my small bowel Crohn’s causes an obstruction and I had to have a second bowel resection. Finally had the first hip replacement in 2016, second in 2017. The first hip replacement was horribly painful, and has never settled down. I was booked in for a spinal decompression but once again my Crohn’s flared up. I have degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, a haemangioma, a curvature of the spine and lipoma very close to my spine. I also have a problem with pain in the left side of my neck, ear and head, which I’m told is Temporal Mandibular Jaw Disorder. The pain I was experiencing was mainly in my left foot, ankle and lower left leg, but lately my right shoulder is very painful. I’ve virtually given up all hope of any resolution to these problems. I just seem to go round in circles.
had quite bad pains for a weeks after had removed as my crohns had made it full with stones and I was getting back issues after this they did test and I have x2 tumours in my back anD A slipped disk and a prolapsed disk I also get really bad pains down my legs and numbness pins and needles in my legs giving me pain all the time and Mechanical spinal damage I get numbness and pain in my legs and unable to walk far now so I know exactly how you feel
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Chronic pain clinic & conflicting advice 
Refereed to Pain Clinic to have an injection in affected S1 nerve
Pain impact clinic
Pain Management Clinic
Pain clinic at last
