"Helped by the Pain Management Programme"

Reception

Environment

I have just completed the six-week Pain Management Programme at the Leaf Hospital in Eastbourne with Alice, Ollie and Ben.

For me, the course was most beneficial. Having insight into the psychology of pain, the physiology of pain, the medications used and how they affect the body was awesome. I have been on pain killers and neuro-blockers for years with my chronic back pain. I started the course on 900 mg of Gabapentin a day, realised its futility and wound down to zero by the end of the six weeks with no noticeable increase in my discomfort.

When I do have sharp pain due to an incident such as an innocent but awkward movement, I now go for paracetamol instead of my usual Tramadol or Cocodamol tablets.

Staff skills

Staff attitude

Team work

The other big 'take home' for me was the 3-Ps, Prioritise, Plan, Pace. Using this may have increased the time it takes me to do my DIY and gardening around the house, but it has decreased the suffering I used to have as a result.

Explanations

Daily living support

Future plans

I was impressed by the knowledge, understanding and empathy of the three instructors and like many on the course, I was sad when it ended.