Does anyone have experience of chronic pain also?

In October of last year (4-5 full months before this depressive episode started) my GP refered me to a Rheumatologist after me having complained being very stiff and sore every single morning and pains/aches throughout the day.
She completed some bloods and the results showed I was deficient in vit D and that I had a + RF result - hence her referral for further investigation. I also made it known to the GP that is suffered with these aches/pains/stiffness since my daughter was around 2 (she's now 8) and that in an effort to try help myself feel better, I'd lost 6 stone in weight - yet I did not feel any relief from pain.

My Rheunatology appointment was a couple of weeks ago, initial questions from consultant were current meds, brief history etc. I obliqued giving list of meds, including pain relief and a/d's explained currently I was absent from work due to sever depressive episod and anxiety. I noticed he seemed to probe a lot of questions around this but thought nothing of it.
He continued with physical examination of my joints - lots of obvious pain which I highlighted during exam etc. I also took a notebook with me is used as a diary for a few weeks prior so he could have a good idea of how pain interfered etc, he never bothered to as much as open it.

Afterwards he said, good news for you is no rheumatoid arthritis, I was surprised as I was almost certain this was going to be the diagnosis I would be given. Family history, + RF, pain & symptoms etc seemed certain this was where this was going, however he said he could give me his word there was absolutely no RA.
He then proceeded to tell me that he believe ALL the "chronic widespread pain" as he described it, that I had was purely as a result of the depression ??? I was completely baffled by this. I further explained that I had had the pain for many years, much longer prior to this depressive episode. I actually went as far as to point out to him that I thought actually the pain was a main contributor to the depression as it is due to pain & discomfort that I rarely sleep and hence very low mood etc etc.
He was adamant that depression = pain. I'm still baffled by this, as was my GP.

The consultant did however say he was going to refer me to physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and CTB, with also physi being able to treat specific areas of pain with acupuncture (which I have never heard of being available on NHS?)

I have also to try amtryptline (sp?) gabapentin or pregablin (so?) depending on GP's preference in order to better manage pain.

Had GP appointment yesterday to discuss consultants recommendations, unfortunately GP has not yet received letter from consultant as yet so he was reluctant to take any next steps until he had read it. I explained about taking pain diary too, he asked if I could leave it with him so he could have a proper read when he wasn't pressed for appointments - which I thought was a sign of a good Dr more than anything else but finally felt like someone was actually listening to me.

Yes you'll find many members here who suffer from Chronic Pain. amitriptyline I have for both pain and depression as it does both, this keeps a level of pain relief to a manageable level, when i ahve spikes I have tramdol to deal with them. There are a few members on pregablin who may be able to give their experiences. I am surprised about the consultants comments but am not medically trained to comment on them directly. I have had acupuncture for my chronic back pain and it to me was not usefull but then that is just me, you should always try something it may work for you and help with pain.

I have a list of physical diagnoses and am on pregabalin and ami amongst others. RA is normally only diagnosed once there is some damage to the joint. I would suggest trying what he's suggested and being referred again - even to another consultant if you didn't get on well with this one.

Hi there, I take pregablin (lyrcia) for back pain, and also as an anti anxiety drug. I stopped taking it at one stage and my mood slipped, so do not stop expect on the advice of your gp.
I was diagnosed with depression while I was receiving treatment for my back, and when my back pain started to ease, my depression started to ease also. However, I had been on treatment for both and I had 2 surgeries on my back to relieve pain, as well as receiving ECT and different meds for my depression.
It can take time for the correct prescription to be prescribed for depression, but it can also take time for the right meds to be prescribed for back pain also.
What I'm saying is to be patient and these things will get sorted. Your gp sounds like a very good doctor, I like the way he has taken your diary to read when they are not so busy is a great idea.
Good luck with your treatment and don't be afraid to ask any kind of question here. We can understand where you are coming from.

It's disappointing not to get a definitive diagnosis, I expect, but physio, hydro, acupuncture, ami and gabapentin or pregabalin are all pain treatments so he's referring you for the treatment you probably would have had anyway. I'm on ami and pregabalin, both to treat nerve pain, and other painkillers, and tolerate them well. You GP sounds great and I hope you've been able to make another appt with them after the letter arrives from the consultant. Perhaps it would help if you spoke to the consultants secretary to find out when the letter is due to go out?

I think any of us who suffer chronic pain will agree that it's really important to pace yourself (don't laugh Suzi) and rest when we need to. Pain can cause and ncrease depression, so hopefully these treatments will help you with your MH

Thanks all for your replies. I think I had kind of told myself that come the rheumatology appointment is finally have answers and hopefully an action plan to deal with the pain. I've been on paracetamol 500mg x2 four times a day and naproxen 500g twice a day for many years but I find they hardly touch the sides on a bad day. The GP that refered me was a different Dr I see now, she actually refered me in Oct but I missed first rheumatologist appointment the hospital sent due to them sends to my old address so I had to wait on a 2nd referral before being seen, just very frustrating really more than anything. GP I see is very good and I'm happy to wait a few more weeks of it means he can take time to read diary & have consultants letter to hand,
Just getting really anxious with everything as my SSP from work is due to end next month (posted in other post) and I'm not sure that depression, debilitating as it is, is enough to qualify me for ESA benefit while my work allow me a further 6 months unpaid leave to recover. I joined the fight back 4 justice page, and from what I read last night there are a number of hoops I need to jump through in order to qualify, despite the fact my GP and an independent Occupational Health Dr that my work send me to have said I'm not fit for duties & no reasonable adjustments can be made at present. I was/am hoping a diagnosis of some description would be more in my favour than not I guess.

I've got nothing helpful to add (Although I think I've heard of acupuncture on the nhs, they are adding more holistic therapies now, I may be mistaken though), other than sending some loveliness your way, it sounds really tough and I can apprecate the disappointed feeling of building up to helpfully getting osrted and then feeling you're no nearer (bear)

You can apply for ESA and make sure you back up your claim with letters that you've got from your GP and OH. And look at the Citizens Advice website - there's a lot of info there and you may be able to get support completing the forms from an adviser

I'd recommend getting some help to fill in the forms too. You may qualify for PIP too. Definitely see someone who has specialist professional knowledge about them...