Back pain getting worse, already on high level painkillers, who do I turn to next?

Coming regularly to here the Forums we learn and we become able to give some help now and then.

Hope you will get the answer you need.

I am sure you will.

Keep your hope always alive!

Take care🌺

Months go by mistakes are made and feel like going to a & e cricket I knows what to do myself by now.

You are on a lot of meds what does yr doctor say? Take it from me sometimes an operation is offered and you are worse than before I am only a small dose of lyrics I could take more than I do but I don't want to go around like a zombie if I think I was you I would start again with meds. Do they not affect you?

They all seem to say exercise. The NHS recommend exercise. If you find their page.one of the deasd easy exercises is. Lie on your back with knees up. A and then bring your knees to your chest. If you went to yo yoga its more of less the same exercises. Stretching your back. When I go to Valencia often I sit on the park wall and put my head down to my knees - its all about stretching your back although itg doesn't take me much further I admit but its just a relief.

Take ownership, of your bodies, your feelings and your pain.  Don't allow doctors or specialists to tell you how you are feeling.  They are there to work on your symptoms not the symptoms they think you should have.  Self empowerment is a wonderful thing and can help you mentally.

Aim Higher, don't let the receptionists dictate when you should see your specialists or pain clinics.  There are rules and regulations as to how long you should wait, if you think you are waiting to long hit your search engine and see what the maximum waiting times are as set by your health authority, then cross reference it with the government targets.  You'll be surprised at what the differences can be.  Even if they are similar, getting in touch with the hospital directors office and putting your case forward can reap rewards.

Don't be afraid to let it be known (in a respectful manner) that if they make an error you will take it further.  Hospitals react to the phrases "I'm going to the BMA about this" or "I'm going to take advice from PALs".  It doesn't matter what you think of these organisations it's how the hospital views them that counts.

That's my rant out of the way!!!

I've had a Medtronic Stim since 1989 with one upgrade on the way, when I had mine done there was just a 10 minute chat and some thinking time to make sure I was suitable, that was it.  However, prior to that I had a TENs machine, which after a little fiddling around managed to block some of the pain so the stim was the next natural step.  The thing with a Stim is that it's not there to cure you it's there to help you cope and it's main function is to give you something other than the pain to concentrate on and the brain will recognise an electrical signal above other signals.  I change my settings regularly and I also turn it off regularly as I believe that the brain gets used of the signals and by doing this it keeps it fresh.  Mine is also very directional, I can change my body position to give me either a weaker or stronger signal and I use that to my advantage although, when I get it wrong it can be quite comical!!!!  On the whole, I feel the Stim does help in line with the correct medication.  Which brings me to you Rosie.... What the  Flipping heck is your GP doing??  When you get to the Pain Clinic the very first thing I'd do is ask for a drugs review.  I can't see how your GP can monitor your symptoms with that cocktail, I won't pull my punches here.... You are going to have problems coming off some of those.  For instance, amitryptyline (I have history with this drug) is an old adictive treatment for depression and does not have a good press, mixed with something like Gabapentin (a drug I use now) isn't a good mix.  I'm no doctor, but take into account my condition and this is my drug regime on a daily basis - 70mg Oxicodine slow release twice a day 600mg Gabapentin three times a day - That's it!  I have some 5mg Oxicodine normal release for break through pain and Diazapam if I'm having problems sleeping, nowhere near the quantity of your script.  Out of interest sake, has your GP said anything about "Drug Rotation"?  How long have you been on this script?

Finally Physio & Chriopractors, my wife has a friend who is a retired sports chriopractor and he vehemently refused to treat me as he said it was too dangerous and my Physio has only taught me about posture and the ways of getting out of bed and chairs.  The only 'treatment' she did was acupuncture which did work, but in a limited fashion.

In conclusion, I don't think any harm would come to those of you who don't have Stims if you spent £25 on a TENs machine and see if it helps, but check with your doctors first.  The other thing is Push Push Push, you may have a good relationships with your teams but you mustn't let them off the hook.  Empower yourselves.