waiting for pelvic pain care
Waiting for help with pelvic pain seems never ending. On average it takes 8-10 years for an endometriosis diagnosis. Then waiting for surgery, waiting for physio....constantly waiting. It's a real pain in the ass.....literally. Originally I was sent to the pain specialist. He (the specialist) was willing to talk about my pain, up until the point where I mentioned pain in my cervix, anus, inside my hip socket, sciatic pain, general pelvic pain, he said he couldn't treat me and that I must see a pelvic pain specialist, but he couldn't refer me over. So I asked the GP to refer me. However, due to the click and book system, I don't seem to be getting through. My referral has been rejected several times over the last 4 or so years. My GP cannot figure out how to get me referred over. About a year ago I went back to the pain specialist. Luckily this time it was someone new and he was able to at least increase my pain killers as an intermediary assistance in the pain saga.
Codeine isn't what I want.
I do not want to spend my life on strong pain killers. And whilst I am grateful for them when I have been in immense pain. I am also not keen on how they make my head feel on a daily basis.
Whilst I was dealing with cancer and my heavy periods, I was grateful for the relief that codeine gave me. However, it also made me really constipated and this made the pain worse in general. Mostly defeating the purpose of the pain killers in the first place.
What I want is some basic exercises that will help ease my pain, even if only a little. I am willing to try anything that might help ease my pain, but often don't know where to start. I don't understand how I get myself referred to this magical pelvic pain doctor who seems at this point more rare than a unicorn.
I have spoken again with the referral team at the GP's who are now waiting on a response. I don't understand who I am supposed to speak to to get the referral. It seems bizarre that the doctors are all clueless over what should be very simple. I'm in pain, the pain is in my pelvis and extends outwards, therefore I need a pelvic pain specialist.
My GP is doing the referral in the way she is meant to, the hospital keep rejecting it because it's the wrong format. My gynaecologist can't help because he's in a different catchment area. The pain specialist can't refer me to pelvic pain....it seems utterly mind boggling to me how I make this magic happen.
I believe in de-criminalisation of Cannabis
I believe that cannabis should be more widely available as pain relief. I would also argue for worldwide de-criminalisation of all drugs. I think criminalising people for seeking what is most often pain relief or relief from trauma, is wrong.
For me it [cannabis - THC] has helped immensely with my pain, especially when eaten, smoked and vaped. It helps me to slow down my racing thoughts. It helps me with my low appetite and daily nausea. It helps me to function through my pain so that I am able to get out of bed. And it helps me immensely on the days when I can't leave the bed due to pain.
Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be an option for pain relief in my area. Again, this is something that makes living with chronic pain more difficult and leaves those in pain with the option of opiates, nerve blockers such as pregabalin or gabapentin or synthetic opiates. This increases the likelihood of overdose and leaves those in pain addicted to heavy substances.
And whilst I do agree that these should be available for treatment. I think there is a right time and a right place for all drugs. If I brake my leg, I want pain relief, strong pain relief. However, for daily pain relief, I believe cannabis, including THC, should be more widely available for those it works for.
Much love M x
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