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• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 20-30 >> Interview CP16 >> It has taken her two years to get her life back. She now focuses on overcoming disability and living a full life despite pain.

Abdominal/pelvic pain following appendectomy, 2001. Treatment: Steroid/anaesthetic nerve block. Physiotherapy. Current medication: None. Past medication: gabapentin, amitriptyline, morphine (Oromorph).

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 61-80 >> Interview CP48 >> Sometimes he suspects that people think he is a phoney when he gets into his car in a disabled parking space.

Pain following myelogram (test) for disc damage in 1978. Diagnosed Arachnoiditis 1992. Pain management: In-patient NHS pain management programme. Current medication: None.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP36 >> Feels that when she puts her make up on she looks healthy and people don't appreciate that she has chronic pain.

Back pain since 1989 (in remission at time of interview). Treatment: Physiotherapy, ultrasound, mobilisation. Pain management: Outpatient NHS Pain management programme. Current medication: None. Past medication: ibuprofen, co-proxamol, diazepam.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP45 >> Feels that chronic pain is a hidden disability and recalls his daughter saying he needed a 'P' for pain stamped on his forehead.

Back and ankle pain following accident, 1990. Surgery: Surgery for back and ankle injuries. Treatment: Intensive rehabilitation, TENS. Pain management: One-to-one counselling psychology. Current medication: Morphine (MST Continus), anti inflammatory drugs.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP31 >> Explains that the Disability Discrimination Act now means that employers have to make reasonable adjustment for people with disabilities.

Low back pain following injury at work, 1991. Current medication: celocoxib (Celebrex) Past medication: other anti-inflammatory.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP46 >> When he went back to work he contacted his Disability Employment Adviser and was assessed for equipment for his work place.

Low back pain since 1993. Pain management: In patient NHS pain management programme. Current medication: None

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 20-30 >> Interview CP02 >> Has not worked so is not entitled to incapacity benefits but claims a top up disability benefit and mobility allowance.

Multiple tests all negative. Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, 1996. Pain management: In-patient NHS pain management programme. Current medication: tramadol, amitriptyline, sertraline. Past medication: ibuprofen, paracetamol, diazepam

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP46 >> When he went back to work he contacted his Disability Employment Adviser and was assessed for equipment for his work place.

Low back pain since 1993. Pain management: In patient NHS pain management programme. Current medication: None

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 20-30 >> Interview CP42 >> She realised that moving from University into a job was going to be difficult so applied for work experience through a University mentoring scheme.

Spinal pain. Pain started 1997. Pain management: Advice about pain management from complementary therapist. Current medication: co-dydramol. Past medication: co-codamol.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP31 >> Explains that the Disability Discrimination Act now means that employers have to make reasonable adjustment for people with disabilities.

Low back pain following injury at work, 1991. Current medication: celocoxib (Celebrex) Past medication: other anti-inflammatory.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 20-30 >> Interview CP02 >> Has not worked so is not entitled to incapacity benefits but claims a top up disability benefit and mobility allowance.

Multiple tests all negative. Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, 1996. Pain management: In-patient NHS pain management programme. Current medication: tramadol, amitriptyline, sertraline. Past medication: ibuprofen, paracetamol, diazepam

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP11 >> Claims mobility allowance and uses this to keep his car on the road which has made a big difference to his life.

Back pain since motorbike accident in 1994. Pain management: Out patient NHS pain management programme. Current medication: Occasionally uses anti-inflammatory drugs.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP04 >> Says that some people who claim benefits worry about being thought of as a 'malingerer' but she does not see it as charity.

Multiple tests all negative. Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Treatment: Physiotherapy Pain management: Pain Association Scotland Living with Pain course. Current medication: amitriptyline, quinine sulphate, diclofenac sodium (Arthrotec), co-codamol (Kapake), omeprazole (Losec).

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP35 >> Had to leave a well-paid job and was initially reluctant to claim benefits. He finds the benefits system very uncaring.

Back pain since 1994. Treatment: Hydrotherapy. Pain management: Outpatient NHS pain management programme. Current medication: ibuprofen, gabapentin.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP45 >> Feels that chronic pain is a hidden disability and recalls his daughter saying he needed a 'P' for pain stamped on his forehead.

Back and ankle pain following accident, 1990. Surgery: Surgery for back and ankle injuries. Treatment: Intensive rehabilitation, TENS. Pain management: One-to-one counselling psychology. Current medication: Morphine (MST Continus), anti inflammatory drugs.