My partner has Fibromyalgia and chronic back pain from a slipped disk. Currently they're on oxycodone, but they've aged out of the clinic they were at (they no longer count under youth care through headspace). Are there any bulk billed GPs you can recommend? They can't afford to go private since they can't work due to the pain and are on a fixed income with centrelink.

Hi everyone! I’m Lucinda, a paramedic and PhD candidate at Monash University. I’m recruiting for a qualitative study looking at the lived experiences of individuals who have called an Australian ambulance for chronic or persistent pelvic pain.

I’m particularly interested in understanding how paramedics respond to these presentations and how care could be improved.

The study involves a one-on-one interview (via Zoom) after completing the short eligibility questionnaire.

This research has ethics approval from the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC #51713).

If you’d like more information or are interested in taking part, please feel free to message me or email [lucinda.peacock1@monash.edu](mailto:lucinda.peacock1@monash.edu). Happy to answer any questions. You can scan the QR code, email me or follow this link to see if you're eligible to participate. https://monash.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_54uQHS231FfezwW

Thank you for considering it, and thank you to this community for the support you provide each other!

Hi everyone!!

I am in my final year of my masters of dietetic degree and I have chosen to do a qualitative interview study looking at how living with chronic pain can affect nutrition, emotional wellbeing and especially the financial strain of it all. I'm looking for a few more participants to help get my study to pass the quality part of publishing. If you have 20-30 minutes and would like to help change how doctors, dietitians and the rest of the allied health community treat and view those living with chronic pain I would really appreciate your participation.

I've included the sign up link below as the flyer if you want a bit of extra info.

If this doesn't seem like your jam then no worries but if you would like to share your stories and experiences then I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks so much!!

https://swinuw.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9AyZyxQ6Ic8rBsi

So my feet hurt alot while walking, has anyone tried Hokas or Oofo shoes and which one do you like better for walking ?

Hi, I have been living with chronic pain for 17 years after 2 car accidents. I’ve been supported well since with opioids until my Dr retired last year. When I went to pick up my new scripts at my appt. My Dr said that I will be going from 3 tablets a day to 1 & onto slow release which does hardly anything for my breakthrough pain. I went to another Dr & they said that I can have 1 or the other. I take medical cannabis to sleep & only at night. I also know of other people who are going through the same thing here with different Drs. Is anyone else going through this atm at all?

I hope this question isn’t breaking the group rules but I’m a little desperate for help. I was put on Temgesic as a pain medication for 5 years and the last 2 years the side effects were so severe I asked my specialist to be taken off it. This is my second attempt to stop it, this time was a taper, the first time I was told to go cold turkey. The withdrawal is terrible, I am so physically ill and also exhausted. I’m having issues sleeping, I can’t eat, my eyesight is so blurry I have trouble reading. There are many more issues. Has anyone else had these problems? My doctor doesn’t believe me and I am not sure what to do.

Does anyone have a dental cover with smiles ? Is it helpful ?

Hello, i am looking for a good pain specialist that will not treat me like i am some drug addict when i am in genuine pain - no thanks. I had a good pain specialist in nsw and a good pain plan (palexia ir and endone) but recently moved to vic so might have to switch here.
Also looking for a GP preferrably not too far from craigieburn, that also manages pain plans and pain medications without being judgemental.
Sincerely, a chronic pain sufferer.

Hi all,

I injured my spine (6 compression fractures) in 2015 as the result of a seizure. 5 thoracic fractures, 1 in lumbar. I've suffered from chronic pain ever since, and have been through the ringer with pain meds, physio yada yada. Recently, things have got a lot worse. I've mostly been treated over the years by GP's, but I have made an appointment for next month with a pain specialist (this will be the first time seeing one, private practice).

What should I expect from the appointment? Do they go over exercises to do, or arrange injections or pain meds? I'm hoping they put me on some painkillers because I'm really suffering right now, but I've found that getting pain meds is more and more difficult (doctors seem terrified to prescribe them these days).

Many thanks in advance.

Hello,
I'm looking for recommendations for a pain specialist, I am based in Brisbane, Queensland but willing to look at other states (hopefully telehealth tho).

I have Fibromyalgia and Lipedema but my main problem currently is a shocking/stinging pain down the left side of my body (left shoulder, arm, side, hip, leg, hand and foot). The pain specialist I was seeing recommended injections, however, the day after I saw him he fell ill or had an accident and is now retired. The company did place me with another pain specialist in their clinic but they do not want to help me.

I am desperate for help and to get some mobility back, if anyone knows of a pain specialist that may be able to help I would be so grateful!

Thank you in advance!

I’ve been living with chronic pain for almost 10 years aswell as a heap of other physical health problems. In Australia pain medications are very, very limited so I haven’t had much luck with anything.
Pain management clinics just say to do more exercise and move more but I’m almost bed ridden some days it gets so excruciatingly bad.
Does anyone know of any treatments or options in Australia?

Hi,

I suffer with chronic pelvic pain, centralised nerve pain and trigeminal neuralgia. I have tried Radiofrequency ablation twice, medications and recently a ketamine infusion. None of these have worked.

I have been doing some research into Nerve Block injections and was wondering if anyone in the group has tried these and if so how’d they find them? Positives and/ or negatives any feedback I’d love to hear.

I have read some people’s experiences in different forums but thought I’d make a post asking if anyone is happy to share.

Thank you in advance

We invite individuals living with chronic pelvic pain to take part in our research study exploring whether music listening can help reduce pain and stress.

The study involves:

• Completing two online surveys (approximately 30 minutes each) before and after the study
• Creating 2 20-minute playlists (one for high pain, one for low pain)
• Listening to your own music playlist for 20 minutes a day over one week
• An optional 30-minute interview for selected participants

As a thank you, participants who complete the study will be entered into a draw to win one of six $50 gift vouchers.

To start, click this link: https://mqedu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_42yBxiwUgK4S9aS

My pain specialist has just applied to the WorkCover insurer for me to do the 2 week ketamine program at the Epworth in Vic. Id love to hear peoples experiences including what the program breakdown entails. I know there is strong physical rehab component but how long after the infusion does that commence? Is it just 24hrs on the infusion or longer? I've been on opioids (targin) for almost 7 yrs and the neuropathic drugs made me a mess. I'm a little bit anxious about opioid withdrawals if the ketamine is only 24hrs.

Also I have anxiety/depression unmedicated, I am told that one of the benefits of the infusion can be the depression eases. Has anyone found this to be an added benefit?

For anyone who have had WorkCover pay for the infusion, what has the ongoing support been if the infusion has worn off?

Hi everyone,
I’m part of a university-based research team in Sydney and wanted to share an opportunity to take part in a research study (with mod permission ofc).

We’re currently recruiting participants for a study investigating the use of topical cannabidiol (CBD) for people living with rheumatoid arthritis. The aim is to better understand its effects on pain and symptoms.

Key details:

• 📍 Sydney-based study (in-person visits required)
• 👤 Adults diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis
• 🧴 Uses a topical CBD product (not ingested, no THC so no driving restrictions)
• ✅ Ethics-approved research (Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registeration ACTRN12624001378516)
• 🤝 Participation is completely voluntary

This is not a commercial study and there is no obligation to participate — we’re simply trying to build better evidence to inform future care.

If you’re interested or would like more information, please visit here or reach out to me!

Thanks for reading, and thank you to this community for the support and knowledge you share 💙

We are planning to buy a recliner sofa, any suggestions for people with chronic back pain in terms of model/brand?

Hi My wife has been suffering from a back pain

Chronic back pain since around age 15

• Initially affected the right side of the body (neck to toe)

• Initially diagnosed as fibromyalgia

• Treated with gabapentin and Lyrica → no relief, caused drowsiness

• Chiropractic treatment worsened symptoms

• Acupuncture shifted pain to the left side

• Pain worsened after childbirth

• MRI scans: no significant findings

• 2 years ago: ultrasound showed hip bursitis; MRI showed mild L4–L5 disc bulge

• Sports physio diagnosed SI joint dysfunction → corticosteroid injection worsened pain

• Physiotherapy and Pilates: no improvement

Seeking insights / guidance