I’ve been having a pretty positive week in two major ways, and this is a post about the first of those, a follow up to one I wrote last month. In said post, I talked about my battle with back pain as a result of my disability, and its effect on my mental health. I resolved to make some changes, and you can read that post in full here: https://wheeliestagey.wordpress.com/2018/08/26/life-on-four-wheels-the-pain-and-struggle-to-exercise/

I finally made it to my GP today, ready to face the fight that had become all too familiar to me given past experiences. Yet, I’m thrilled to report the difference has been like night and day! Before I’d even entered the room, I was made immediately at ease: my doctor came out to reception to get me and give me a hand with the doors. Such a simple thing, but what it said to me was that she actually read my notes and is really empathetic and understanding. What’s more, she listened – gone were the silly questions and patronising attitude that reared their ugly heads all to often whilst under my last practise. She listened quietly whilst I explained the pain and how I’ve been struggling to cope.

She sat back in her chair, no words forthcoming but I could tell she was watching me intently. Bracing myself for the inevitable barrage of questions and potentially being brushed off once more, I sat  back, looking sheepish and holding  my tongue.She took one look at me and said: “I can see just by looking at you that you are not sitting right, you’re an S shape and that’s putting pressure on your spine and lower back. But instead of just giving you a short term fix – I think we need to look at the bigger picture and get some referals sorted, don’t you?”

I wanted to hug her, I swear. Just to have someone listen with such empathy and warmth and take me seriously was a massive weight off my mind. I’m being referred for physio and to have my seating reassessed, and have medication to help with the pain in the short term, which I can feel already is making a huge difference. I’d told her about my awful experiences with codeine in the past, and she instead prescribed Naproxen, which is an anti inflammatory instead of a straight painkiller. I had my first tablet at lunchtime and by the time I went to the bathroom (one of the transfers that sets off the pain really badly) I could feel a change for the better. It still hurts, but nowhere near as intensely as it would without.

I have no idea how long my referrals will take, but right now I don’t mind… it just feels amazing to be starting to take control of the pain after it controlling me for so long!

The other great thing that’s happened this week is career related…. but I’ll share that another time 😉