To not want to wait five months for an operation when I've been told I can't take pain killers?

[SantaFlashesHisBoobsALot]

I'm so fucked off and tired of being in pain.

Saw gynae in October, was told that I needed another lapraoscopy for suspected endo. I am in agony. My pain just keeps getting worse, to the point I have passed out a few times.

Saw a neurologist last two weeks ago, he is sending me for an MRI and in the meantime has told me not to take any pain killers as they will cause a vicious cycle for my head pain.

Whilst i understand where he is coming from, I have a hand full of other conditions that I have been treating with pain killers, not just my head pain.

Called the gynae department to chase up my operation date, and was told that the consultant has booked some holiday for January so it is most likely going to be the end of February.

That's five freaking months since my appointment, and another two months from now. I am barely functioning most days since being taken off my pain killers. The idea of another two months like this, where my pain is increasing day by day, along with my ability levels steadily decreasing, has reduced me to tears.

AIBU to think that this wait is too long? :(

Can you ask to be referred to your local pain management clinic? They can often advise on other methods of pain relief. I was taken off morphine due to the Dr saying it was causing more pain, and to my surprise it worked! It took a few months for me to realise that though.

Seen the pain management team numerous times. They were the ones that prescribed me the half of the pain killers in the first place. Said there was nothing else they could do because of the conditions I suffer from.

Chronic pain is the pitts i feel for you. I have TMJD, jaw joint dysfunction but cannot live on painkillers. Currently been prescribed amitriptyline to manage the pain. Ask for a pain clinic referral, I have an 18 - 2 year wait for my jaw surgery as my teeth need to be moved beforehand (braces)

I hope you find some sort of relief as i know how awful chronic pain can be.

I hope your braces aren't too sore, Pink, and that the time passes quickly.

Sorry to moan, its just when I asked for a rough time line at my appointment I was told around eight weeks, so was expecting the end of December / early January, and now its going to be much longer :(

Its very frustrating. I see my consultant tomorrow but i have a feeling it will be a good few months/year before i get them on. So until then its painkillers (they dont do much) amitriptyline and a constant hot water bottle on my face.

Its disheartening when you wait for an appointment/operation for the appointments to be put back. Happens to me all the time as the maxillofacial surgeons constantly have facial surgery emergencies (especially on the weekends when blokes have their jaws knocked out) Fair enough but still disappointing all the same when youre constantly in pain. Hope its not too long of a wait for you x

Hey,

Are your gynae & neuro at the same hospital? Am wondering whether you could give the hospital PALS people a ring and see if they could liase with each other, given that the plan your gynae has given you is at odds with that of the neuro person? PALS may also be a good place to see if you can chase up an appointment; waiting 5 months for something like a lap seems a bit excessive to me (I have endo and have rarely waited more than 12 weeks from consultation to op date, although the last was a while back).

Failing that, and if you're able to ditch commitments at the last minute, could you speak to your gyane's secretary and ask to be put on a cancellation list - can be very last minute but very effective, especially with Christmas coming up and people deferring ops until after the festivities?

No I had to go to London for my neuro appointment, as it was a seven month wait to see one locally. That's a whole separate rant though!

Last time I think it was about eight weeks between my first appointment and going to surgery, and that was earlier this year. So I don't understand why this is taking so long :(

PALS is a good idea, I hadn't thought of that, thank you. I'll also call them back and ask about cancellations. Going to go to the GP as well, and get a letter sent to them to ask to be made a priority, which is what the secretary suggested.