UK Folks with chronic pain and similar health issues; I’m looking for advice on behalf of my sister who has ME/CFS, fibromyalgia and other chronic issues. The pain clinic just dismissed her with “you’re too unhappy, you need to be more motivated” and won’t do anything else for her. What routes are there, if any, to get her some decent help? Or get a complaint going?
@kitation holy shit to say to be motivated to someone with CFS + fibromyalgia takes some AUDACITY
@kitation hi, I have a few thoughts...
If you're not aware, there's a process for complaining about NHS services https://www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/feedback-and-complaints/complaint/
If over the counter painkillers are not sufficient to manage the pain, and she hasn't been offered something a bit stronger, then the GP is not doing their job IMO.
ME/CFS has many co-morbid conditions that are treatable and should be investigated. See e.g. https://batemanhornecenter.org/education/me-cfs/
@kitation
Also having someone with her in appointments can be a way to minimise dismissal and back her up.
Fibromyalgia is a diagnosis of exclusion, so make sure they have actually made an effort to exclude other causes. If she suspects a particular problem based on her own research, she has a right to bring that to a doctor and have them listen.
The NICE guidelines doctors are supposed to follow are accessible online (https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/published?sp=on). If the doctor is not following them, ask why.
@kitation also depending on how her conditions affect her daily living, she might want to look into mobility aids or living aids that make tasks easier / less painful. The council can provide for free a needs assessment which I think will advise on stuff like this (I don't have direct experience of this though). https://www.gov.uk/apply-needs-assessment-social-services