Hi everyone, I have a friend of mine who has been going through a really rough spell in South Australia. Specifically the Reynella / Morphett Vale area
Basically , he has had a bad back for many years and has gone through a number of different doctors, because of location and circumstance changes, but has unfortunately , never really had a doctor that has treated him more than just a number.
He currently is in a lot of pain, particularly with lower back, but also neck pain which includes nerve impingement and has fought to get an authorised prescription of Oxycontine SR and dosage of around 30, which helps sometimes, with no breakthrough pain meds available to him either. He can’t seem to get a treatment plan, or indeed find out what is exactly wrong as the doctor he has been seeing is just more intent to wean him off the meds than finding the cause of the pain, saying to him - surely you can’t be in that much pain...
So, basically has anyone got any ideas or recommend the name of a doctor, in the southern Adelaide area, that at least seems somewhat interested, that I could direct my friend to? Also multidisciplinary pain clinics in the same area, that people have had good results with.
He is very down and depressed at the moment and just sees doctors as being all the same and has given up searching and lives off medical certificates that last a couple of months and is reliant on centrelink. He has no support network there, no reliable transport and his relationship with his wife collapsed some time ago, as he “couldn’t support the family” . He also has no health fund and debit is crippling and is battling depression, which his meds have only just been increased – after over a year of the doctor missing a review...
At the moment he has bad sciatica and finds it difficult to go far but he really needs to find a doctor who can help with treatment and pain.
I have hinted several times that he take a look at this forum and get some support, and I think he is ready to perhaps join and start the journey that many people here are enduring but also overcoming. A little help and support from those with similar problems goes a long way.
As far as posting contact information directly to the forum pages, advertising services are forbidden on the forum, so a posting perhaps to say that a good service exists and that you will contact me directly via personal messages and i will forward them to him, or perhaps a clarification from a moderator if specific names and practices can be posted directly.
Thank you on behalf of my friend, I sincerely hope he can find some services that can really help him. 🙂
Life is what you make it.... Win or Lose.. Winning is better 🙂
Well Chris... Thank you for your kind words and ongoing support... I'm not sure where I'd be without you these last few months... actually. .. that's a lie... I do know where I'd be ... and its not pleasant to think about.
If the women don't find you handsome,
Let them at least find you handy.
Hi Chris and Broken_Moose. Unfortunately South Australia is the very worst place to live in Australia if you need access to pain management. There was a National Pain Strategy developed in 2010-11 and we are the only state that has not yet endorsed it. All other states have allocated funds and developed their own plans in accordance with the principles of the NPS. In 2014 a committee was brought together to develop our own Statewide Pain Strategy. At last we thought! I am/was a member of that committee and our model of care has been pushed to one side as if it just doesn't matter. Obviously it needs some funding and I guess that a tunnel to save 3 minutes running through our parklands is much more important. In my role as a consumer representative, I am trying to stir up some action, but so far I have not been successful - just a lot of empty promises and the statement that "we are committed to providing pain management to all South Australian's" or something similar.
The best truly multidisciplinary pain clinic in Adelaide is at the RAH. However, the waiting list can be up to 3 years. I would suggest that you get a referral to this clinic as a matter of urgency. At least if your name is down, you never know. It's better than nothing. There is also a pain clinic in the Flinders Medical Centre. It doesn't have quite the multidisciplinary approach of the RAH, but I would also put your name down there. You will need a referral from your GP for both of these clinics.
I don't know the name of a GP with an interest in chronic pain down south off hand. However, I will try and find one for you.
Let me know if I can help any further.
Mary
Not every day is a good day, but there is good in every day.
"“It’s delightful when your imaginations come true, isn’t it?” ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
Well, welcome the forum Chris.
Great to see some more South Aussies here in the Forum.
To answer your question Chris. No, we can't go posting the names of people, but this info can be given via private message. We do allow the posting of good pain clinics and other places that look after people who suffer chronic illnesses. You'll find that information here: https://www.chronicpainaustralia.org.au/index.php/forum/pain-clinics
You'll find a lot of info in that category. To be honest there is too much info in there that shouldn't be there. But that is another story!
Anyway, I hope you enjoy your stay here with us and be able to get as much info as you can from other South Aussies.
Peter
I wish the ring (this Chronic Pain) had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened. (Frodo Baggins)
So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide, is what to do with the time that is given to us. (Gandalf the Grey)
Hi Broken Moose, welcome to the forum!
Sounds like you need to spend some time yacking with the rest of and also doing some reading. There is a lot of support to be had here, becsause we are an understanding bunch.
I see Mary has already answered your posts, so you should get some great info from her.
Stick around and keep talking.
Peter
I wish the ring (this Chronic Pain) had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened. (Frodo Baggins)
So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide, is what to do with the time that is given to us. (Gandalf the Grey)
Hi Chris L and Broken_Moose. I have left you a PM.
Mary
Not every day is a good day, but there is good in every day.
"“It’s delightful when your imaginations come true, isn’t it?” ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
Hi Mary,
Good to see from you
I am going to be a grandad for the second time in September
Take care
Johnno
as long as I wake up alive I'm happy Because it could be worse
Wow! Congrats. on both becoming a grandad again and also on your new role as a Moderator! Enjoy 🙂
Mary
Not every day is a good day, but there is good in every day.
"“It’s delightful when your imaginations come true, isn’t it?” ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
Hi Broken_Moose and Chris L. You have a PM. Hopefully I have been able to be of some help! Fingers crossed.
Mary
Not every day is a good day, but there is good in every day.
"“It’s delightful when your imaginations come true, isn’t it?” ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
