Painkillers, how do I get the DR to prescribe them?

[PippiL]

I have a coalition (fused bones) in my ankle that has been painful and swollen for the last 3 years.

It's like a low grade toothache, constantly. Gets worse in bed, but the pain Is always there.

I also had a knee op this year that hasn't healed properly and keeps flaring up so is swollen and I can't walk for a day or two.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen are not cutting it. Doc prescribed me naproxen which does nothing for me.

How do I get something stronger out of the doctor? I'm not some sort of medication junkie, just want something to take the pain away occasionally when it all gets too much. They seem reluctant to give me anything else. It is really getting me down and making me sad and depressed.

ask for a pain clinic referral

I sympathise as I have pain in my foot due to surgery in March and pain from an ovarian cyst that is awaiting surgery in two to three months time. I recently got a supply of diclofenac from my doctor as I also found that ibuprofen and paracetamol were not working for me.

The only thing I can suggest is keep persisting with your doctors surgery and if they are really unhelpful get a referral and/or change surgeries.

You should not have to be in so much pain in this day and age.

Good luck.

there is such a thing as a pain clinic? why don't they tell you this stuff?
it's like getting blood out of a stone with GPs.

this is a pathetic excuse, but I'm a redhead, and I will swear blind that we feel more pain than others!

PippiL, do you have a tarsal coalition?
I've found using acupuncture works wonders at reducing the pain and inflammation. Have you seen your orthopaedic surgeon about it recently?

I would suggest keeping a pain scale. 0 is no pain, 10 is the worst pain you've ever experienced. Mark down your daily pain and chart it with your current painkillers, to showif it makes any difference, also keep a record of what makes it better or worse. Keep it for a couple of weeks at least and go back to a different GP with your pain chart asking for a referral to the pain clinic.
In the meantime, be really careful with the type of shoe you wear, avoid things like flip flops and definitely give acupuncture a go if you are able.