pain management clinic

[SaltaKatten]

I've got my first appointment with the pain management clinic coming up soon. I've been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and damage to joints in my feet. I was wondering if anyone has experience of what happens at the pain management clinic and what kind of support I might be able to get.

[Adamsapple]

At my first appointment, the pain nurse took a history, then I saw a doctor, physiotherapist and a psychologist all at once. It was a bit overwhelming but they were very nice. After they talk to you, between them, they come up with a treatment plan, mine involved trying a tens machine and seeing the physiotherapist.
Also I attended their "Mindfulness" course, if your hospital do this, I highly recommend it.
Good luck

[LivingInMidnight]

I've been to a couple. First one was very very small clinic, just the consultant and a nurse, and it was just like a regular hospital appointment the first time. They referred me all over the place including to the main pain clinic in my city. The first appointment there was with a nurse who asked a lot of questions about my pain and asked me to draw where it was on a picture. I had some treatment before seeing the consultant, but the consultant was really really busy.

They will have loads of options of things you can try! My tiny pain clinic was amazing to be honest.

Just be aware that, at least at first, pain clinics can be a little upsetting sometimes. They are a wonderful thing and they will help you immensely, but they might not be able to completely get rid of the pain and they may well make a point of telling you that. I've known a few people become really down when that realisation hit them.

[LivingInMidnight]

Oh sorry the support thing - I had my medication altered a few times, had physio, acupuncture, cbt, Botox, second opinions, extra scans.

[SaltaKatten]

Thank you, that's really helpful. I think I've started to accept the idea that the pain will not go away. I can't remember the last time I was not in pain. I am lucky though as it's not debilitating and I am able to work. Support in managing and hopefully lessen the pain would be wonderful though.

[LivingInMidnight]

I'm sure they'll be able to help. It really made me appreciate the NHS, it would have cost me a fortune to try all those things! Hope it goes well!

[GreenGoth89]

Don't accept that the pain will never go away just be mindful that you have to live with it right now in this moment but it may not stay with you forever.

I've been through the whole shbang with pain clinic/pain management. Pain clinics tend to look at meds and things like TENS machines, physio/hydro etc to help with pain, pain management tend to look more at psychological stuff with a little physio thrown in.

Do stick to you guns and have an idea of what you want to get out of the appointment - some consultants are very helpful to fibro patients others are less so, but if you know what you want I.e. Yes to physio but no to CBT then you can make best use to the time. Make sure you get follow ups or open ended repeat appointment because it can take a very long time to get re-referred when you just need a small tweak to your meds or a physio referral