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Helen - hclark@phoenixfreight.com
Posted 2010-09-12
My name is Helen. I am 37 years old. I live in Essex, UK.
4 years ago, I lost 5 stones in weight, and that is when my coccyx pain started. I didn't have a fall or injury – I assumed it was because I had lost all my "padding" on my back side ;-)
Over the last 4 years, I have had Physio (waste of time and aggravated the problem). I have had 4 cortixone injections and manipulation under General Anaesthetic. At the follow up in February following my last injection in January, I was told I could not have any more injections, as they only ever do 3 injections, and the injections were only giving me relief for 6-8 weeks. I was told that it was highly unlikely that I would be accepted as a patient for removal of the coccyx, as in 50% of cases, it makes the condition worse. I was then referred to the Pain Clinic, and had my first appointment in May.
I was put onto 75 mg of Dosulipen per day, which is a low dose anti-depressant. This was not because I was depressed, but because these drugs are apparently good for nerve endings.
I had my 3 month follow up appointment last week at the Pain Clinic. I told the consultant that the drugs had done nothing for my back pain, and in fact, the pain was getting as bad as it ever was before I had any treatment. The only thing the drugs had helped with was sleeping – which was a great relief in itself. After a 15 minute consult, I left in tears. I was told there was nothing more they could do for me and that I had to accept this as a Chronic condition and live with it. And I have been referred back to my GP.
This has left me devastated and I am upset just typing it now. I can't carry on like this. I need to make an appointment with my GP again. To do what?? Start all over again? I don't know what could be next for me.
I am considering a private consult, but I really do not have the money spare to do this.