It would be silly for me to ask if anyone has ever been refered or attended a pain clinic as i know most if not all of you already have been , my question is what do they do ? what should i expect ?
regards sheep
hiya
not silly at all. i have never been to a pain clinic but a friend of mine has. i have no doubt they can be a brill source of support however the one she attended was only to happy to increase her painkillers with no interest in the consequences or look at alternative solutions.
i have had pain (and taken medication) but my gp is open to listening what i want to do/try (under his guidance) i currently take no pain medication.
hope u have a positive experience at the clinic if thats an option for you.
ellie
Hi sheep!
I’ve visited my local pain clinic twice to-date (different issues - referred by GP each time) and I’m sad to say that both my experiences have been very similar to ellie’s friend’s !!
For me (at least) both visits were very much like going to the Dr. …without any belief that anyone was actually listening. I remember thinking that a decision had been made long before I actually saw anyone, and nothing was going to dissuade them from the treatment that they’d already decided upon !!
I sincerely hope your clinic is very different
Dom
I’ve been to my local Pain Clinic for nerve pain. I wouldn’t say we’ve got very far but I have been offered different drugs, had a tens machine and had a course of acupuncture. The pain is still the same but they have tried!!
Sarah x
Hi sheep, I’ve been to the pain clinic just once for MS related pain. They do tend to rely on pharmaceuticals a lot on their treatment approaches, but understandably so I think. I was, as well as being given meds, referred by the consultant on to a pain psychotherapy type department to discuss non-drug approaches to managing the pain (I wasn’t going to go - I can hardly uncoil from the foetal position when the pain is REALLY bad, never mind trying to recite mindfullness or positive psychology hokum) and I did find it very helpful just to talk through how the MS has affected me in general. To get the most from your pain clinic visit, be prepared. Keep a pain diary if you can, times of day its worst, if any activities make it worse, does something particular set it off etc., etc. Also try and have to hand what the pain feels like - stabbing, burning, numbness etc. I found these websites helpful; Pain and MS: Neuropathic Pain - Symptoms - Multiple Sclerosis Open Door archive | MS Trust Hope it goes well! 
I was referred to pain clinic almost a year ago, still waiting but from what I have heard now i’m not sure i’m missing anything ! Krissy