What is a review?
Have you been on pain medication for more than 3 months? If so, this is a good indication that it’s time to get a pain review appointment with your Pharmacist or GP at your practice.
During your review, they will talk to you about your health, how you are feeling and how pain affects your actively. Together, you’ll agree on a plan to help you manage your pain. It will be an ongoing process that will need to be managed. Some people may take longer than others to take themselves off pain medication as everyone is different.
Real storiesHow to book your review
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Visit your Community Pharmacist
Community Pharmacists are experts in medicines who can help you with minor health concerns and as qualified healthcare professionals, they can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines.
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Contact your GP practice
Every Practice has their own booking process so please follow it to book a consultation. They will ensure you are seen by the most appropriate clinician, who may be a GP, pharmacist or other qualified healthcare professional. Appointments may be available face-to-face or via an online consultation.
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Speak to your specialist team
If you’ve been on pain medication for some time you may already be under the care of pain management services or another specialist who manages your pain. If this is the case speak to them directly.
How to prepare for your pain review
Before your consultation you may want to spend some time thinking about what you want to discuss. Try answering these questions and having them written down:
- What you hope to gain from your review
- Your main reason for seeing the doctor
- Any new symptoms
- Any medication you have been prescribed and its effect on you
To have a successful review you might want to think about how you’re going to describe your pain.
- What does the pain stop you from doing?
- What makes the pain better or worse?
- Has the pain changed over time?
- What have done to try to relieve the pain and is it working.
- What is your biggest worry about the pain?
Are you living with long-term pain?
By understanding your pain, you can begin to use self-management tools live with your pain.
Additional supportAre you a healthcare professional?
Help us raise awareness of the potential dangers of prescription pain medication.
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