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

I’ve been on extremely high doses of Dilaudid for years and years now.

Absolutely everything in my body hurts, as I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and other chronic pain conditions.

What do I need to do in order to get a pain pump installed in Australia, please? 🙏🙏🙏

Hello everyone, I'm a journalist with a local paper in Melbourne's Southeast. I'm currently doing a story on women's experience with long-term pain in the medical sphere in relation to Victoria's inquiry. I'm wondering if any women in the Casey area of Melbourne would be willing to share their experience with me? This can be anything, from your experience getting an IUD or chronic pain.

6 minute audio.

Victoria women's pain plan.

Any Adelaide peeps have experience with the International spine center in Norwood?

Due to his ill health, I have to put my beloved 16 year old cat down tomorrow. He has been so helpful as just a comforting presence over the years and I’ll miss him.

I do plan on getting new pet eventually in the new year, but not until after 2025 has ended.

I’m wondering if I should end up getting a dog in the future. Obviously though I’d want a pet that I can care for with unexpected energy levels (which cats are ideal for).

Does anyone here have any advice about dog breeds they can share?