Pain Management clinic

[Rumors1]

I suppose my AIBU is aibu for considering asking for a referral. My idea of PMCs is that they are for people in constant really bad pain where they cant function.
I have psoriatic arthritis but despite medication I always have pain. Its not to the level where I cant function but I am hardly ever pain free and its wearing me down.
I would say my pain is about 3/4 out of 10 all the time with periods throughout the day where it increases.
An example say was last night I was at DS match. The cold makes me worse so I layered up in loads of clothes including heavy fleece up to chin, dry robe, fleece lined leggings, hat and gloves. It wasnt even that cold but I was in a lot of pain at the side of the pitch. I really struggled and when I get like that I feel like I am getting a flu. I warmed up later and pain eased.
I think I am getting arthritis in my upper jaw, I have constant dull ache in it for weeks, like I am chewing for hours on those gob stopper chewing gums. I get very bad headaches. I get random shooting pains in my joints throughout the day. I can only sleep at night with a pillow between my legs as I have very bad pains in my hips if I dont.
I work, do some exercise and carry on with my life but I cry a few times a week just from the frustration and weariness of having that constant pain.
I rarely take painkillers as the pain is just always there and I feel I have to get used to it. I only take them when I am very bad and I have to do something where I will struggle with the pain.
Just sitting her now, I have pains in my head, neck, shoulders, hands, ankles and hips. I am constantly shifting position to get comfortable. It isnt agony and I can function so thats why I am wondering if I am not bad enough for a referral.

Pain management clinics treat chronic pain which is what you have. Constant pain at any level is debilitating and you're no less worthy of treatment than anyone else because you feel you're managing.

Please ask for a referral, my friend has the same condition as you and she's in pain daily, so upsetting. Your issues are exactly what they are there to help with, good luck.

I totally sympathise and could have written your post. I'm prescribed strong pain killers which only take the edge off to be honest. I'm never completely pain free.
I have been seen by the pain team and have done a living well with pain course through the hospital which was interesting but nothing takes the pain away unfortunately. Even the pain team can't actually do anything other than recommend pain relief for your GP to prescribe you. It's genuinely soul destroying and very hard for people to understand who don't have it.

Sounds like you’re totally suitable for pain clinic.

May I suggest the Curable app too? I was totally skeptical but it has helped me quite a bit with managing my pain. I think there’s a free trial, so nothing to lose while you wait for a referral.

Oh and every time I request my repeat prescription for pain relief or speak to a GP about anything I'm always scared they will try and 'wean' me off the pain relief. One particular GP always tries to get me to cut down and I've had to learn to be firm with him and say they literally enable me to continue working and looking after my kids. I will say that's where it has helped being under the pain team as he can see a consultant has recommended and ok'd me being on them.

Pain management is for chronic pain, so yes you qualify.
But, sadly they've not been of any use to me so far, although they are trying!
I would very much recommend looking into medical cannabis...I was on all sorts of terrible medications before, but this has literally changed my life.

You might have a very long wait and don't raise your hopes that they will come up with anything that will help. My DH is in terrible pain and this has been the case for many years. He has tried just about every pain medication going including things like Oramorph. Nothing suits him unless he wants to spend all day every day asleep. The most useful things that have helped with his pain have been acupuncture and self hypnosis.

The GP or a pain clinic might be able to refer you to a physio that does acupuncture.

He initially started self hypnosis on a weekend adult education course after taking a lot of persuasion to try it. He then had further sessions via the NHS. He found it so useful that he was evangelical about it. Unfortunately, his condition has progressed and he doesn't have the energy or concentration to do this anymore.

He also found medicinal cannabis very effective. There are many private clinics offering this at a price. We were willing to pay for something that actually works but recently there have been too many contraindications related to his illness for him to use it now.

Thanks so much for the responses. My pain fluctuates a lot during the day, one minute I am not too bad and then suddenly I get a really bad pain in my head but it could be gone 2 minutes later.

I just looked at the curable app and I will definitely give it a go. I have probably been downplaying my pain at the rheum appts because I dont want to be moved on biologics! I will definitely ask for a referral to the pain clinic (they have one in the hospital I attend).
Thanks again :)

Sounds like it's definitely worth requesting a referral. Personally, I've found 'a pain plan' with Sharon Smith on YouTube really helpful!

Might be a very long wait and then a rushed phone conversation.
The off label type of nerve pain medications can be helpful but really need to start on smallest dosage and titrate up to manage side effects.
Good luck with getting some support with your chronic pain.

Is there a reason you don't want to go on biologics?

Because they are going to be the best form of pain relief out there for you.

Thanks all.

@AnnaMagnani I am on methotrexate injections at the moment and absolutely hate having to take meds. I have a healthy diet, dont smoke or drink, healthy weight, exercise regularly. I accept I need meds as diet and lifestyle alone are not enough but I want to take as little as possible.
The hospital will keep me under observation for joint damage and if I was developing that and biologics were the solution I would take them but reluctant to if I can avoid. No meds are without side effects so last resort for me.

If the methotrexate isn't cutting it to keep the inflammation under control then it's time to have a serious talk with your rheumatologist.

It sounds like you find it hard to accept that you have a long-term condition and so can't be one of those annoying healthy people who are in perfect health just with diet and exercise. Which I can strongly relate to, it took me years to accept I'd genuinely be better taking my tablets every day.

I do get annoyed as I feel I do lots of things right! Also having to deal with people telling me to take turmeric or lemon juice in hot water or other random cures and I will be fine is also hard to deal with!! Especially when I take all that s*it everyday anyway :)

I just dont know if I am bad enough for biologics, my friend was put on them but she couldnt open her fingers and was in constant terrible pain and couldnt function, I am definitely not that bad.