Pain management clinics in UK.

[G.Elias]

Hi Tommy.  Although my experience with UK PM is nil, amd my experience with even US PM is minimal, I have been scripted PKs for over a decade and have avidly followed the media and the forums on how PM visits are.

I believe it is most important to present yourself as one who is interested in an accurate diagnosis amd treatment plan, of which PKs are only one componenet.  

It is ok to be hesistent to say ok to shots or other procedures ypu are not sure will help.  But good to show interest in accupuncture, topical creams (either compounded or off the shelf), dietary changes (sugar increases inflammation and pain).  

Stuff like that.  Also, maybe certain sleeping positions help you pain, gentle am stretches?  

The docs dont want to script pks to someone who has given up/in to the pain.

They want to work with you to improve your quality of life and want you to view the PKs as one 'tool in your toolbox'

Also I learned that if the docs ask us to rate our pain on a scale of 1 to 10, good to go with a 6 or 7.  Otherwise they think we are exaggerating.  8 and 9 on the pain scale is for being crushed in a car accident.

Also for some reason, US PM docs think meds should only reduce our pain levels to a 2 or 3.  

Hope this helps and is clear enough.  I am here if you want to chat more.  

Fire

Many thanks both to Barq and Fireplaces,i'll remember what you said esp fire about the pain scale,think things can be improved but doubt every really fixed,didn't know about the sugar thing,since i stopped drinking regularly have been eating sweet things a bit more at night,esp flapjacks,think i have a problem with flapkacks,i try avoid too much processed food,even a tin of beans i can taste sugar in,no need to put sugar in baked beans.
My gp mentioned shots to my back,i know someone who has them and i dont like the sound of them at all,sound awfullly painfull imo.
Can't sleep in many positions,have to lie on my right side,any other position neck pain will be worse as well as back pain,sometimes cant help turning over in my sleep though.I can do some bits of stretching in the AM but not over do it,if i wake up with the migraines from nerve damage in my neck though stretching gets forgotten about,had to go have a light sleep in a dark room the other day cos the migraine just knocked me down.
Thanks again for the replies both of you,any more info by anyone would be appreciated.
I'll let you know how it goes,i need to try something new instead of just being fobbed off with leaflets by my gp