Nearly 2 weeks ago, I went up to London to visit the Pain Clinic at the Orthopaedic Hospital. The doctor I saw was very good and advised me that he thinks the problem with my knee is definitely a more mechanical problem than a pain problem so he advised that he would write a letter to the knee team explaining this.
In addition to this, he has put me on some new tablets which are to show whether the pain is neurological or actual because it I have had it for over a year, he said there is a possibility that my brain is making the pain worse than it actually is. He said that the tablets will either make the pain disappear or that the side effects will get too much and the pain will still be the same.
I started the tablets 2 weeks ago on Saturday (with the dosage increasing every 4 days) and so far, I've had only side effects, they have made no difference to the pain. The side effects have ranged from me feeling drowsy and spending most of the day sleeping to headaches and dizziness to lack of concentration to not knowing when I'll wake up (Tuesday I woke at 2:50pm and today it was 1:40pm - the other days this week, I was woken up early because I had something planned!).
I spoke to the hospital yesterday to find out when I could come off the tablets and they have advised that if I can stay on them for another 2 weeks, then it would be a meaningful trial. I wasn't too happy about this but will give it a go! On the up side, the doctor has written to the knee team so I should be hearing about an appointment in the near future.
Please pray that I will have the strength to keep going with the tablets (and side effects!!!) as well as patience whilst waiting to hear from the hospital.
In addition to this, he has put me on some new tablets which are to show whether the pain is neurological or actual because it I have had it for over a year, he said there is a possibility that my brain is making the pain worse than it actually is. He said that the tablets will either make the pain disappear or that the side effects will get too much and the pain will still be the same.
I started the tablets 2 weeks ago on Saturday (with the dosage increasing every 4 days) and so far, I've had only side effects, they have made no difference to the pain. The side effects have ranged from me feeling drowsy and spending most of the day sleeping to headaches and dizziness to lack of concentration to not knowing when I'll wake up (Tuesday I woke at 2:50pm and today it was 1:40pm - the other days this week, I was woken up early because I had something planned!).
I spoke to the hospital yesterday to find out when I could come off the tablets and they have advised that if I can stay on them for another 2 weeks, then it would be a meaningful trial. I wasn't too happy about this but will give it a go! On the up side, the doctor has written to the knee team so I should be hearing about an appointment in the near future.
Please pray that I will have the strength to keep going with the tablets (and side effects!!!) as well as patience whilst waiting to hear from the hospital.
Just caught up with your last few blog entries Rebecca.....loved the holiday descriptions and photos.... we always enjoy Weymouth.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is a very inspiring one and challenges me to be praying for you whenever I see you or think of you. Your faith is also encouraging ...life is tough for you yet your faith and reliance on God is so evident ....as well as the reality of life as a young woman with a very painful and seemingly never ending condition.
keep blogging.....