Pain management clinics

cagneyfan

Hi,

Can anyone tell me if they've been or are attending a pain management clinic at Newcastle Upon RVI?

If so, has it helped them and what do they offer. I got some forms the other day and the amount of questions was as long as your arm - I'm sure it all goes towards a treatment plan.

Not seen a doctor in 12 years, have developed an absolute hatred for them (I know it's illogical to tar all with the same brush) but I was constantly fobbed off for years. Last time I went, I went in depressed and came out suicidal. When I saw the bus in the distance I honestly didn't know whether to jump on it or under it and vowed I'd never go back.

However, some pillock dropped a spanner on my foot and I've been advised to go to pain clinic by the medical I had to attend by the solicitor. I thought this may be the push I need to maybe see if anything can be done for the other problems - coccyx pain, low back pain, foot pain (unrelated to spanner) and now joint pain. Frankly, I'm in a mess.

Would I be to go to the docs and explain the pain clinic was for the spanner incident, but could I be seen for all the other problems too? It seems a waste to go and not address everything, especially when other people are also waiting to get an appointment. It's just that everytime I think about what to say to a doctor I just get in a right flap and panic.

I really feel this is my last chance and I really don't want to say what my other thoughts and feelings are. Put bluntly, and I'm sorry if this offends other more capable people, but I just feel like I'm existing - nothing more. Like a dead person who just happens to have a pulse.

Any info on the RVI Pain clinic would be most gratefully received.

All the best to everyone

Impala

Please excuse any spelling mistakes: it's very painful for me to use a computer.

I just felt that I should reply to you if I can be of any help.

having had over 40 years' of chronic illness I can well understand your feelings towards the medical profession, although I'm afraid that I can't afford to avoid them as you do - and, to be fair, there are occasionally some bright lights who make up for the rest of the dark ones (if that makes sense), but it can take a lot of effort adn distress to find them. When you do find one, however, they are a true GOdsend.

Having myself developed work-related chronic pain (neuro muscular) over a decade ago I've attended more clinics and doctors than I care to remember, and it took a psychiatric clinic (when I eventually did crack, good-style - so again I do understand your words and how it feels to live with pain, especially in multiple places) to get me even taken seriously over the pain issues. I've since then been throuh 2 pain clinics - not the one that you refer to, unfortunately - and they do all vary markedly, but I can give you a gneral outline.

PCs are normally run by anaesthetists (spelling!) and have a range of technicques from surgical and other "intrusive" procedures, injetions, nerve blocks, injections to referring you to a team of physios, psychologists, OTs, burses, sometimes hypnotists and the like as well as interested doctors. They have a variety of approaches which may or may not work for you, and they are still in the majority run along medical models, so can be ratehr frustrating. Some concentrate on pain remocal, if it is possible for the conditon in question, others much more on pain management and the psychological effects that long-term pain has.

I would definitley recommend you to take the chance if it's offered to you, and, yes, make sure that all of the other conditions are covered as clearly they are having more of an effect upon you than thespanner on the foot.

As you say, this is the push that you need, so take it. Obviously I don'tknow how you've been coping and managing your other pains for the last 10+ years, but there may be drugs, tests or other options which can be offered to you at the GP or other outpatients' clinics or otherwise, espeiclaly if this is having a psychological effect on you.
So grit your teeth adn go and see a doctor/GP for a referral (or via the solicitor) to the pain clinic and specifically do make them aware of your other (presumably long-term) problems and their effect on your life. If nothing else it's all then on the record and properly investigated, by the PC or otherwise. Most GPs these days, and PC taff, are most sympathetic and understanding to the effects of pain. THings may ahve changed a lot since you last treid asking for help. Living in pain is not nice, and if anyone can help you then I'd think that you'd want to take it.

All the best.