Sufferers of chronic pain have long been told it’s all in their head. We now know that’s wrong

[helvella]

Just bringing this to your attention.

There are two problems with this series - even before I have finished reading this first part. It is in the Australian section so some specifics might be irrelevant or misleading for those elsewhere. And there are no open comments.

Still, it is good to see it headlined and published.

The pain that can't be seen

Sufferers of chronic pain have long been told it’s all in their head. We now know that’s wrong

In the first of a series looking at chronic pain and long Covid, Linda Geddes explores the growing realisation that pain can be a disease in and of itself – and the pandemic could be making it worse

Sufferers of chronic pain have long been told it’s all in their head. We now know that’s not true. The pain that can’t be seen is a week-long investigation looking at why doctors are playing catch-up on chronic pain conditions like endometriosis, migraine and more – and what they have to do with long Covid. In the next part, you can read about why women are more likely to have long Covid and chronic pain and hear from 10 readers on their experiences living with theses illnesses.

theguardian.com/australia-n...

[shaws Administrator]

Thanks helvella - for once again highlighting an important topic for many people - even for those who don't have a problem with their thyroid gland.

I believe a majority of doctors put the patients' symptoms down to either 'imagination' or the patient is looking for 'sympathy'.

My husband - for instance - had been to the doctors often due to 'travelling pains' as he stated at the time. No diagnosis or any suggestions - nor blood tested.

It wasn't until we met up with my sister and her husband about two years later that my sister told him 'you have rheumatoid arthritis'. Without blood tests but with her own experience as she had R.A. herself.

R.A. runs in our family as my daughter is now severely disabled due to it. I've also mentioned this before and when she was about six years of age, complaining of painful legs, so much so that she had to rest until pain relieved.

When I eventually mentioned to the GP 'my sister has rheumatoid' he shouted a me 'for putting ideas into her head'.

The result now - years later is that during lockdown - even although she's 30 minutes away - we couldn't visit - she cannot walk unaided and is on constant pain relief - all down to a GPs ignorance and not referring her to an appropriate consultant. He also seemed to believe that I, the mother, was the problem..

I'm sure many similar instances occur daily and how many doctors ask the patient if there are any other conditions within families.

The same occurs, I believe, in many other instances for different autoimmune diseases.

[wellness1 in reply to shaws]

Heartbreaking

[LindaC]

Thank you helvella! When a doctor doesn't know or have a clue, many of us know that their fall-back is to 'patient blame', in particular when it's a woman, yet with certain chronic illnesses men may not much escape it either. I gather this appalling conduct is encouraged in Med School, where the boys guffaw and those females present need to put up and shut... or else?

[humanbean]

The pain that can’t be seen is a week-long investigation looking at why doctors are playing catch-up on chronic pain conditions like endometriosis, migraine and more – and what they have to do with long Covid.

The absurdity of this is that Australian scientists and doctors may now think that chronic pain isn't all in the head - but NICE is busily issuing guidelines telling UK patients it is all in their heads and they need to exercise to help their chronic pain and come off all their painkillers.