Beyond enraged atm.

[Oscarcat63]

So I spoke to the pharmacist who had expressed concern about my pain management...

Amitriptyline + pregabalin are now thefirst line treatments for neuropathic pain. Apparently, they both work synergistically and: voila ! PaIn AlL gOnE !

I explained that initially, I was on pregabalin for rls and that 47 years of bloody antidepressant and off label psychiatric drugs contributed (if not caused it).

PerhapsyoucouldhaveSifrol...

Ummm.

No.

Now, I know this is all ridiculous and absurd ( and cruel)...

And lovely as my home is

I 'look' like a drug addict. I to be VERY careful how I dress, and speak when talking to any medical professional. I have to be well-groomed, obsequiously polite (never show anger).

I am a widow, on a dsp ( disability), don't drive, unemployed, live in a low income area.....

So for me at least

Pain relief = Opioid Seeker.

So because of my appearance and social history, I will be given a bloody test to see why the bloody antidepressant isn't working. (Because I don't want to take it).

But if it isn't in my bllodstream, then I haven't tried

= Opiate seeker

Ooh, ooh ! I smoke.

Yeah, filthy, disgusting user of nicotine and ffs. I know it is a horrible habit..

But all my pain, rls is due to SmOkInG.

Yes, I know damn well it doesn't help and is in fact something I should not do.

Ffs.

[ChrisColumbus]

I'm sorry that you have experienced both lack of knowledge and apparent prejudice: some doctors, nurses, specialists, pharmacists worldwide are wonderful - and some aren't. Best wishes for better treatment!

[Oscarcat63 in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Thank you Chris.The prejudice just might be in my imagination really ! It always happens in general when a lot of people are finding it hard. There are some branches of the media ( which is getting a bit rw atm) who will blame the cost of living on the lowest common denominator, (those who do not work, the mentally ill, the homeless or migrants) and sadly that seem to be the atitude worldwide.

Tasmania is the poorest, smallest state with the oldest population - so naturally, there is more chronic disease. We have the highest rate of MS is the world actually, yet few medical specialists !

I will just try to keep going, but very sick of the fight !

[Tildabri in reply to Oscarcat63]

Things seem very hard in Oz at the moment for people on low incomes or with any sort of disability, at least much harder than I recall from 20 years ago. I hear your frustration and wish you the best of luck (from a fellow Aussie, now in France).

[Oscarcat63 in reply to Tildabri]

Thank you !You support means a lot 😀

[Joolsg]

Sadly, medical ignorance is widespread.Amitriptyline doesn't help RLS. It makes it worse.

And low dose opioids do work.

I am so sorry you, and so many others, have to deal with the medical ignorance and prejudice.

[Oscarcat63 in reply to Joolsg]

Yes, it is hard and I am greatful for the support of this group.Tasmania is a state where in former years too many opioids were prescribed. Part of that is the aging population here and hence a lot of chronic disease.

Oddly enough, we also have the highest concentration of MS in the world, particularly in Hobart. But there really is an enormous shortage of medical professionals and specialists here because the pay is lower than the mainland. None of the gp's really want to rock the boat. Opioids can be prescribed, but really only on a short term basis or for cancer pain.

Pain, of course, can not be seen or measured - I wish I could find a bit of relief. It is not so much that I am bothered by rls much anymore and I think it's the pregabalin along with the physio I do ( except when in too much pain). But Amitryptiline plus pregabalin is now the firstline treatment for neuropathic pain (at least in Australia). I can't seem to get it through to them (gp's etc) that it will very likely trigger the rls in me and I don't sleep enough as it is. I think, unless there is more worldwide research into rls, not a lot will change. It just doesn't seem to be important.

I am also feeling very depressed because of having to leave my job, but I can't say anything about that as - I'd be given antidepressants ! 47 years on those things never helped me.

I guees the only thing I can do is be patient.