I have just completed a 5 week course, with NHS Fife Integrated Pain Management Service - Rivers, at Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre, and wish to thank NHS Fife Rivers programme, but in particular the phenomenal physiotherapist, Karen, her assistant Sheena and Suzanne, the pharmacist.
I have suffered for a number of years from chronic and persistent pain, that just never seemed to go away and which has a huge impact on my daily living. I was feeling permanently sore, exhausted, upset and not in control of my pain, or my life, so my amazing GP, Dr Bandularatne, from Burntisland Medical Group, referred me to the service.
From the minute I stepped through the door, I was made to feel valued, listened to and understood. I geninely feel the Rivers programme offered me a holistic approach to managing my pain, which consisted of gentle exercises and stressing the importance of staying active, positive, encouraging and fun education sessions and individual pharmacist review each week.
The staff were amazing, funny, caring, compassionate, encouraging, knowledgeable and genuinely worked hard and were keen to make a difference and have motivated and inspired me through education, exercise and laughter, during the 5 week course.
I feel now that I am better equipped, with a "toolkit" that will help me manage my chronic pain more effectively in the future. I have been inspired to make changes and learnt not to be afraid of exercise, have knowledge of relaxation and mindfulness techniques, I feel better educated and understand neuropathic pain and through pharmacist review, have learnt to adjust certain painkilling medication for "good and not so good days". I have had certain medication changed and was encouraged to slowly reduce medication, with the pharmacist even prescribing.
I feel more in control now, I have renewed hope, a much more positive outlook and I am looking forward to a much better quality of life.
Thank you, Rivers, for making a difference
"Excellent NHS Fife Rivers Pain Management Service"
About: Fife Community Services Fife Community Services
Posted by kennifer (as ),
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Update posted by kennifer (the patient) 7 years ago
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