Hello
I have 2 types of pain - Mechanical pain from degenerative disc disease and nerve pain from trapped nerves.
The pain is in both in my neck where bone spurs cause stenosis trapping nerves and my lower back where I have herniated discs pressing on nerves causing mild sciatica and mechanical back pain.
The nerve pain in my arms/hand and legs comes and goes but the mechanical pain is more frequent and ranges from mild to very painful. 80% of the time is manageable but the other 20% can unbearable.
I was on amitriptyline for nerve pain but came off it as it didn't agree with me and my GP has refused to prescribe anything for the mechanical pain.
I cannot take NSAIDS.
I am in the UK and cannot go out for a day trip etc as I end up in extreme pain after a few hours.
Please could anyone with experience answer the following questions.
1) Do GPs or pain clinics still prescribe pain medication for acute pain to help ease symptoms on a short term basis such as going out for the day or having a short term flare up and if so what? Codeine or something similar?
2) Is pain medication now banned in the UK for anyone with long term chronic mechanical back and neck pain? How are people supposed to cope on a daily basis.
3) Is anyone else getting fed up with GPs and the NHS who seem to say no to every suggestion.
Any suggestions appreciated.
Thanks