Chronic Pain Society

Have you applied for a bus pas and a blue badge? You can normally get them if you have long term walking difficulties.

Working on those and PIP at the moment. Not so confident though because they always assume because I can walk like 5-10 metres to get from the waiting room to consultation room that it means I'm lying when I say I can't walk more than about 30 A lot of the time

Good luck with that. They did similar with me - because I can get to my parents house (I used to live there) I have no problems getting around safely. I was given a home visit because I wouldn't be able to get an assessment centre because I can't get anywhere that's an unfamiliar place, safely.

it's just so ridiculous honestly

Working on those and PIP at the moment. Not so confident though because they always assume because I can walk like 5-10 metres to get from the waiting room to consultation room that it means I'm lying when I say I can't walk more than about 30 A lot of the time

So went to the drs today to discussmy pain and fatigue, and concerns about fibromyalgia (a nurse questioned if i had it when i went to minor injury with my shoulder once) and last time i went to a dr about she very bluntly said "we dont test for it" and pretty much kicked me out.
So i didnt know what to expect today, but the dr i saw was lovely asked questions and explained about fibro and that theres not a test that can be done to say for sure, but shes asked for my bloods to be checked and then go from there depending on if my bloods are clear or not.

She didnt dismiss my pains or my concerns either which is good.
In the past if had drs say my pains are due to my weight or my flat foot or this or that. She genuinly seemed interested in actually looking into it.

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I'm moving house this week. It hurts.

That's great! When I initially brought fibro up I was told it was impossible for a child (I was 13 or 14) to have it. It's not, but I was told they would not even consider it until I was at least 18. Thankfully the GP I saw about it later on was a lot like the doctor you saw! Reckons I've had it for yeeeears. I always get so annoyed thinking about the number of years I could've been getting help for it but this doctor refusing to acknowledge it as a possibility meant I had to suffer even longer Hopefully things move nice and quickly for you



Ouch! Hope you feel a bit better soon

That's great! When I initially brought fibro up I was told it was impossible for a child (I was 13 or 14) to have it. It's not, but I was told they would not even consider it until I was at least 18. yeeeears

Ouch! Hope you feel a bit better soon

Hi, I'm 16 and start my GCSEs in 6 weeks and looking for advice on anything that may make it easier to manage/cope with chronic back and knee pain during exams? (My school have already arranged for 'rest breaks' so I can get up to walk around and stretch during the exams)

I can't second the above advice enough. Keeping well hydrated will help keep your mind there. Make sure you don't overdo things in the days before, but make sure you keep doing enough so that you won't stiffen up or anything. Take a nice relaxing bath, shower, whatever you enjoy the night before and just treat yourself a bit. I know for me feeling a bit more mentally prepared to deal with the pain helps. If you find you're struggling, ask for a different chair or table, even room if you think it might help for other exams. I find if I'm struggling with the pain, cooling myself right down helps. Other people find the same with warming up. You might find asking to sit near a radiator or a fan helps. If they have someone to supervise you through rest breaks them I'm sure they could accommodate something of my suggestions. On the rest breaks though, don't be afraid to use them if you need them

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Thank you both for the advice, I usually drink a lot of water so I'll make sure I keep doing that. I'm going to be sitting the exams in the hall with everyone else and that's what I wanted (might sound strange but I do!) and I can have an ice pack/ heat pad during the exams and breaks and I'm going to talk to my school this week about taking something in to put on my chair (don't think they'll give me a different chair). I can't thank you both enough for your replies and I see a specialist next week so will see if he has any other suggestions

I got that when I was being diagnosed with arthritis. I was doing my A Levels, and "people that age.don't get arthritis". Except sometimes they do!



I think I'm over the worst bit now, because everything that had to be done to move out is now done. It's just unpacking left, and at least that can be done when I feel like it.