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GP withdrawing pain meds

Hi , my name is Lynne - I have scoliosis and had spinal fusion surgery about 10 yrs ago. Approx 2 yrs ago I started having severe shoulder and lower back pain and an MRI showed I had trapped nerves in my neck, cysts in the bottom of my spine, and degeneration of the vertebra below the fusion. This won't improve and is likely to get worse. After much trial and error I found that a buprenorphine patch worked wonders along with tramodol when it became completely unbearable. This has enabled me to exercise, keep active and generally gain a quality of life that I'd lost. Fast forward to this year - I moved and now have a new GP who tells me that these meds are doing nothing for my pain and any benefit im seeing is psychological. I was willing to suspend disbelief and reduce them and he gradually tapered the patch off. I have now been without the buprenorphine patch completely for a month and am finding it increasingly intolerable. The tramodol helps a little but nothing like the patch. I had an appt yesterday with my gp and explained how much pain I'm now in, his take was that it'll take time for my brain to catch up and to try pilates. I'm finding it difficult to walk to the bathroom let alone exercise! He reluctantly agreed to refer me to a pain clinic but said an appointment could take months to get.
Has anyone experienced this? Should I get a new GP? Or should I carry on in the hope it gets better. Surely the lack of exercise will make things worse. Any comments appreciate very much - am so miserable!
Has anyone experienced this? Should I get a new GP? Or should I carry on in the hope it gets better. Surely the lack of exercise will make things worse. Any comments appreciate very much - am so miserable!
Replies
I'd change your GP. If second GP won't prescribe the patch, ask to be referred to a back specialist (not just a pain clinic) - you are entitled to a second opinion. Your current GP seems to think that pain is all in the mind - he wouldn't think that if he suffered from pain himself!
Osteopathy might help. Osteopathy has helped my back generally including my spine. But unfortunately osteopathy is not cheap. £50 for half hour. However, I'm now down to once a month, so not too expensive now.
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It doesn't sound like a great experience. I think I'd echo what Matilda has said in terms of trying to find a new GP who's more open to your concerns.
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Write to your MP. I have found MPs very helpful over NHS doctors' bloody-mindedness!
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If you have a few minutes to spare, we'd appreciate your feedback on our online community.