Patronising pain clinic, drugs & jobs!

[SHEETAL PAREKH 1981]

Have had a proplapsed L5 for 8 years. Was manageble up until a couple of years ago when the pain moved about a bit and my back has got so painful and tender that at times just the pressure of a cushion makes me want to vomit. Have been on 1 x amiltryptyline for past 2 years which helps, but puts me in a coma for most of the day.

Had a visit to a very patronising and depressing Pain Clinic doc this week who told me I'll never get better if I dont exercise (like I didnt know that) and that at my age (48) I have to expect pain to increase in all areas of my life as "after all I have to die of something". He has told me to take 8 paracetomol, 4 tramadol and a pregabalin a day which seems heck of a lot to me. Havent yet tried the pregabalin but the others are making me really dizzy and wanting to be sick and not helping greatly. Have an epidural injection booked for June and an MRI, but have been told unlikely to help and I am def not considered for surgery. He says I should take the lot and then "grit my teeth and exercise".

This is just bit of a 'get it off my chest' post as only another sufferer of this would have any understanding....

 

[Cacarynse]

Patronising pain clinic, drugs & jobs!

Do you see a chiropractor? Can wholeheartedly recommend finding a good one. If you do go to one then try another, they all seem to work their magic in different ways and have different areas of expertise.

I had severe disc problems about 13 yrs ago, did the physio and exercises at home, and a 'back school' for 6 weeks. I self manage my problems now and see a chiropractor regularly who puts everything back where it should be. I had to train myself to use my body in a different way..... to bend, use the hoover, wash up, stand up.... get out of bed, everything. Muscles switch off when you have chronic back problems and your body stops using them when it moves about, making the problems and pressure on the discs worse. You need to do specific exercises to 'switch' the muscles back on again so your body uses them to hold your posture. For me it took 6 months of consistent work every day, but it did pay off.

There is lots of info on the net about the exercises that you can do to mobilse the joints freeing the nerves, encourage the discs to sit in the correct place, and switch the muscles on that connect the vertebrae together (not forgetting the core muscles). Just 'exercising' isn't going to help unless you are taught how to use your body correctly and target the muscle groups involved in holding posture which are involuntary.

Yoga, pilates and alexander technique are excelllent for improving core strength (Wii fit???). You may find that the exercises cause your back to ache badly the first few times but this will subside as you build the core strength and start using these muscle again, without thinking in your everyday activities.

Hope this helps, and you have an improvement soon!

love, light and Reiki to you!

 

[natalie.anastasakis]

Patronising pain clinic, drugs & jobs!

Have tried Pregabalin and Gabapentin, what a waste of time, all it's given me is problems with my eyes, thanks alot pain management Dr lol, have to go back on 15th April for another consultation, which I know is going to be a waste of time Take care x

 

[Pompal 09.]

Patronising pain clinic, drugs & jobs!

I have been to oesteopaths, chiropracters, physios and acupuncturists over the years yet they end up referring me back to the pain clinic so round in circles. Am trying to fix up Pilates.

My head is absolutely swimming from all these drugs so far...!

 

[time.]

Patronising pain clinic, drugs & jobs!

Have you considered having your disc removed and the spine fused? That may be the best option.

 

[hebiqpky]

Patronising pain clinic, drugs & jobs!

Hi eden.eden

Sorry to hear you have had such a bad experience and are experiencing so much pain. The symptoms you are describing are most likely due to the Tramadol. It is renowned for these side effects. It is unlikely to be the paracetamol.

Pregabalin is supposed to be a cleaner drug than Gabapentin as it is the "next generation" drug developed by the original makers of Gabapentin as a response to the end of their sole licence thingy which would allow the drug to be manufactured as a generic and not solely as a branded one. Big pharma is a nightmare as is the legislation stuff.

Chronic pain management should not be a one size fits all because that is certainly not the case in my experience. Targeted paced exercise can help. The injection may be of limited benefit but it is only really helpful if it is combined with appropriate input on exercise, posture etc. As far as I am aware there is only very limited evidence for use of epidural injections in lower back pain. The study done down here actually showed that they are a waste of time and money in the long run and that it is not possible to predict whether anyone will get any benefit, how much, how long.

Don't take anything you don't want to or that makes you feel unwell. If the clinic doc insists, put your foot down. It is your body and you have a right to decline or accept treatment as you see fit without prejudice.

In the meantime it is worth investigating other means of managing your pain and possibly learning what your body is trying to tell you at other levels.

Hope you start to see some positive results soon.

 

[klkruft_us]

Patronising pain clinic, drugs & jobs!

For what its worth, I just thought I would add my 2 penny's worth. I am prescribed what is effectively an overdose of tramadol a day - with absolutely no effect whatsover, and with no side effects either. I also take topirate, the epilepsy medication for pain that has some pretty nasty side effects but apparently no pain relief.

I have had 3 epidurals. 2 Lumbar and 1 caudal. I was assured the caudal - which I had 2 months ago - had a much greater chance of success. But nada. Nothing. Absolutely no impact at all.

I am so sorry eden.eden that you have such a poor and patronising pain clinic doc. I met one like that today so i especially sympathise. It is incredibly demoralising and it can make you feel completely desperate.