Hi Guys and Gals,
Could u share any expeiences of pain clinics ? is it worth attending, or do they just push drugs at you ?
Thanks
Tony
hi adrian, my experience of a pain clinic is that they are most definitely worth trying. i suppose it depends on the person and the clinic, ours is very good and keeps trying. i havent had any success but they have tried everything, and that is not only drugs,. they try accupuncture, deep heat, massage, and i beleive water therapy has been used as well, so give it a go you dont know unless you try, let us know how you get on. chris xx
Hi, have had CS since the age of 36, now 44. Still don't work, or drive. It has meant giving up alot of things that mattered.
I went to pain clincs - they offered Tens machines - they do not work for me. Fair enough was the answer they do not work for everybody.
I did not need help sorting out my medication - but they did say they would be there when I needed them.
They did understand what I was talking about though.
What I did do was go on a long term pain management course. You tend to go on these when nothing else works. Surgery was not an option for me. I had seen five different consultants in all the disicplines you can think off.
The pain management programme taught me how to live with, and manage my condition. How to live your life doing what you can do, rather than looking at what you have lost.
I am not saying that it has not been difficult, or is difficult sometimes. I would be lying. Sometimes it is impossible. There are days when no matter how much planning I put in place, I do not work at all. Mostly though, it does help.
I would go to the pain clinic. Even if all you get from it is that you talk to someone who knows what you are going through then that is worth it.
Regards.
Juniper
Hi , I go to the pain clinic and have found it to be excellent. Not only do they understand the different kinds of pain ( i have nerve pain as well as joint pain) but they will look at the medication you have been prescribed and change it if necessary for something that is more relevant to your needs. I was on tramadol and my pain doctor changed it to gabapentin which works on the nerves , i still take tramadol when the gabapentin isn't enough but i have been much better on the gabapentin. I also get a cordal epidural once a year which helps and i know that if it doesn't work any longer there are other routes i can try such as acupuncture etc. My pain is managed better now i use the pain clinic and it's made my life easier to cope with. I would definitely go if i were you, after all you have nothing to lose by going and maybe will gain a better understanding of your pain and how to cope with and manage it.