GP initially refused to give me painkillers as she wanted me to use the pain as an incentive

[OvO]

to sort out my diabetes.

I have Type 2 diabetes, I know I need to do better and eat better etc. My last GP was really helping and I lost 2.5 stone so it’s not like I’m not trying. But still loads of room for improvement, I know that.

So I have had nerve damage pain in my foot for a few years (caused by poorly controlled diabetes) and I finally decided to see my new doctor (have moved house) to get painkillers.

The pains so bad I can’t sleep, I already have high dose co-codamol for back pain but it doesn’t do a thing for the pain in my foot.

But the GP said over and over again that she didn’t want to give me anything for the pain as it would just mask it and I needed to understand that it was a symptom I needed to pay attention to and I should use the pain as an incentive to get my diabetes under better control.

Then followed the Type 2 Diabetes Is Curable If You Try Lecture which is fair enough, it’s her job. But am I wrong to think that leaving me in pain is a pretty shitty way to try to force me to make the changes?

I honestly had to beg her before she’d prescribe gabapentin (so?). I explained over and over I was in agony and unable to sleep but she just kept saying to use it as an incentive.

I’m not sure if I’m being too sensitive. I’m pretty anxious about doctors and will go to great lengths to avoid them so can look for any excuse to not go back. I WILL go back as I know I need help with my diabetes but I’m NOT going back to see her.

So am I being too sensitive? Is she right and I should stay in pain as a way to incentivise myself? I can’t see how that works. I’m in agony and exhausted so hows that going to translate to making good choices?

This is my longest post ever, bloody hell. I’ll inderstand if you just skimmed it!

I agree with pp, 10.5 stone might be overweight for OP but it can’t be by much.
The reservations I have about the gabapentin are to do with its effects on speech and word finding.
Good luck OP, it does sound as if your GP is trying to keep her prescribing bill down by being mean to you.

I broke my foot and ankle, fifi, and tore ligaments in the ankle (I had to have surgery) and it hurt like a bitch! I was actually crying when they x-rayed it and the dumb arse asked if I were crying because I was going to be in a cast. 'No, it's because you're bending my broken foot and ankle around and I've had no pain killers.' I got IV morphine.

@LeftRightCentre I would have killed someone for morphine!

This doctor fucking knew I had a high pain tolerance too as he was involved in ds's birth.

I hope I find him on a roadside with a broken leg one day. I'll fucking jump on it.

After a week of thinking the pain would kill me and not getting any sleep at all I got some weed edibles from a friend and knocked myself out!!!

Anyway, point is, poor op has had some horrid comments on here. I sympathise hugely and my pain wasn't even chronic, I can't imagine how desperate I'd feel in her position.

I'd have tried to see another doctor, preferably a human. What a dick. Hope he shits pineapples and it hurts. I'd have got some weed, too. Man, that hurt! I did it tripping over a kerb and I actually passed out from the pain. Doctors who do this aren't good, they're mean-spirited cocks who deserve all the ill in the world.

Hope I read it as that's how much she has to lose. Not that she IS ten stone...but she needs to lose that much.

Ajas, I weigh 10.5 stone.

Sorry, Im the OP in my Halloween name!

I think your GP is an arse. I've been where you are with the pain/no sleep thing. You start to dread going to bed.
Ask to see a different one. You need to be with someone slightly compassionate, not one hunting for junkies amongst people with chronic pain disorders.

I have joint hyper mobility syndrome , AS , bursas in each hip , flat feet and plantar fasciitis of the wake you up at night variety. A year ago I was wrecked from no solid sleep for about two years due to the pain in my hips.
I am a lot better now after taking up Pilates fanatically- as recommended by a physio. This might not be the case for you, but the physio themselves did help at the start.

Still, though around the time of my periods I am in a huge amount of pain, as all my ligaments give me the collective middle finger.
I have painkillers( Endone/Targin) and valium available for those 6 days of hell each month. I also use them to clean the house. There will easily be over three quarters of a month that I don't use them at all.

BUT do not go the gabapentin route if it can be avoided. I am on it, and trying to taper off and am having a bitch of a time. It's not a take a couple here, take a couple there drug.
I have also put on 14 kilos in the 12 months or so I have been on it despite eating well. I am plain fat now which worsens my condition, and it's become a vicious circle for me.
So if weight is an issue already , this is maybe NOT the drug for you. At the time, I was so over how I felt, I grabbed it with both hands and didn't fully research it. I hate it.

I'd ask for referrals to a physio, and maybe a podiatrist next time you go - as well as painkillers. And read up ( particularly the forums online) about gabapentin/Lyrica.

I wonder if cbd oil would help you?

I am not sure how anyone who has ever suffered with long term pain could believe that pain is an incentive to eat right/exercise/whatever. That kind of pain is debilitating and makes the situation harder not easier, to remedy. Both mentally and physically.

Ovo I’m sorry your GP treat you like that and congratulations on your weight loss so far.

I cannot believe the judgey/ diabetes shaming posts on this thread.

Your GP needs a lesson on health promotion and empowering people to make long lasting changes. Shaming them and making them endure pain and sleep deprivation is not an effective method!
Weight loss and improved control isn’t a magic cure for peripheral neuropathy although may prevent worsening.

If your NHS trust run a Living with Diabetes course, I highly recommend it.

I hope the gabapentin makes a difference