Pain clinic

[Lou38]

I've not posted in here in ages, been caught up in the usual stresses of work, Kids etc.

I had an appointment with an anaesthetist in the pain clinic yesterday and after being really optimistic beforehand now I feel really deflated. She tested my limbs by running a piece of cotton wool up and down my arms and legs and then the same with a small pin. It turns out I have no feeling in my hands, some of my arms and my knees and the pin test on my legs caused pins & needles. I was told this is neuropathic pain for which there is nothing that I can do to ease it.

The anaesthetist reviewed my medications and told me I really shouldn't be taking strong co-codamol regularly & that I should just take plain paracetamol for pain (if only that helped!) I've to increase my Amitriptyline at night & the anaesthetist is going to write to my GP to start me on Gabapentin but the referral takes weeks, it'll be weeks after that before I can see my GP & then it takes months to notice any effects from the Gabapentin if any. Aarrgh!

Does anyone else have any suggestions in the meantime?

 

[diamond]

Oh my Lou its nice to see you back on the forum especially as like me you are from the UK...why couldnt the pain clinic prescribe the gabby immediately? Poor you now having to jump through hoops and see your GP first rather than just for repeats.

As if paracetamol is going to help fibro pain...i don't know some of these pain specialists are so silly!

I also take cocodamol and it barely helps my pain maybe sometimes knocks it back a small notch if im lucky but paracetamol would be as useless as swallowing smarties!

I hope increasing the amitriptyline helps and i know many do get help from gabby for the neuro pain. Fingers crossed it is a big help for you.

Maybe the next thing to try would be tramadol..that's if your doctor will prescribe it for fibro which he/she should at least give it a go.

Did the cocodamol help the other types of pain you get?

Take care

 

[Lou38]

Thanks diamond, it's nice to be back

Lol @ swallowing smarties, that comment was spot on! I found the co-codamol helped initially (15/500) but then stopped helping & I was taking solpadol 30/500 which was better but I was told to use them sparingly. I've already increased my Amitriptyline, ain't waiting weeks for my GP to say it's alright when the anaesthetist advised it anyway. Fibro is such a mine field!

 

[diamond]

Far be it for me to over ride a pain specialist but i take 30/500 cocodamol and i understand we build tolerance to these meds but if they help and you are being sensible it seems unkind to stop a helpful medication.

I really think these pain specialists have no idea what we go through.

I hope you have some success but if not please don't let one doctor decide your future and deprive you of helpful medication. I think we are all savvy enough not to take medication we don't need ....i don't think any of us expect to be pain free just to be able to function and get some pleasure out of life.

 

[sunkacola]

Lou, it may not take that long for Gabapentin to work for you. I noticed results with it very quickly. Just wanted to add a note of encouragement for you.

 

[Lou38]

Thanks Sunkacola. I have an appointment with my GP in a couple of weeks cos the anaesthetist sent the letter to my GP really quickly but it's a couple of weeks before they have any appointments. Do you take it for neuropathic pain & do you notice much of a difference?

 

[sunkacola]

Lou, I take it at night and it helps me to sleep through the night and not wake up in pain. It has helped a lot.