Pain management of multiple issues

[kattdan72]

I suffer chronic pain due to multiple issues and am taking progabalin, maxitram and amitriptyline plus medication to help with hyper sensitive stomach and migraines. I've Raynaud's, fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis, arthritis and lower back pain. I'm on the NHS waiting list to see a spinal surgeon for the stenosis (2 years waiting), pain clinic are going to inject/freeze nerves in my lower back (modetately urgent). I'm in pain 24/7 from all the conditions and feel like I'm fighting a losing battle.

[Dr Sandeep Bawa]

hi,

have you tried a Lidocaine or BuTrans Patches? Acupuncture? Tens Machine?

Please discuss options with your GP

Thanks

Sandeep

[kattdan72]

Hi Sandeep

None of those options had ever been offered by my GP or specialists. Only pain killers. Rheumatology offer the iloprost infusion for the Raynaud's but my bloods are never right for me to get it. Anemic and now lacking B12????

Now I'm in a fecious circle, I'm putting on weight, but it hurts to walk any distance or do anything physical. I know it's best for me to keep mobile for my joints and spine but my fingers go between being numb or sending sharp pains around the knuckles. My grip is getting worse and I'm losing strength in my hands. The slightest amount of exercise would bring me out into a sweat.

Any suggestions please.

Thank you for any advice. Katya

[Wendy Green]

Hi Katya,

There are always other options to pain killers that are worth exploring.

Have you tried asking your GP for a referral for physiotherapy? A physiotherapist would be able to advise you on the best types of exercises you can do for your particular pain issues.

Another option would be to ask for a referral to a pain clinic. Please read my previous post to find out more https://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/f ... 134#p49134

I hope this helps you find pain relief.

[Tracy Corbett]

Hi, Katya

You may wish to ask your GP for a referral to a physiotherapist. Your physiotherapist can assess your conditions and advise you on suitable exercises for you. It is important to keep active with appropriate exercise because exercise is pain relieving if done properly and will help you to stay mobile and strong. Your physiotherapist might also be able to advise on other non-medicine-based pain relief modalities.

[kattdan72]

Thank you Tracy and Wendy. I've been referred several times to physiotherapy and have seen 3 different therapists. All have given me exercises to do, all have been extremely helpful and understanding but they all say that they've done everything that's in their power to do. All say a spinal surgeon is going to be the only one to help with the stenosis. It's a case that I have to manage the pain with pain killers and exercise. I have a job that keeps me moving but it's tiring to push through the pain. Taking enough pain killers to totally control the pain leaves me mentally dozey. A simple 20 minutes walk leaves me with throbbing pain in my lower back and in my toes with the arthritis. I'm concerned that long term use of these strong tablets will affect my internal organs or that I'll get use to them and they'll no longer work. Sorry to go on.