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• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 61-80 >> Interview CP40 >> Started a computer course at college and bought a computer and finds this and his other hobbies a great distraction.

Abdominal pain since 1988, no diagnosis. Treatments: Nerve block to pancreas. Pain Clinic for medication. Current Medication: tramadol. Past medication: Tried stronger opioids could not tolerate side effects.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP28 >> Has taken up cross-stitch and finds that this and her grandson a good distraction from the pain.

Neck injury during surgery (hysterectomy), 1993. Surgery: Cervical discectomy followed by microsurgery to release trapped nerves. Pain managment: Out-patient pain management clinic. Medication: morphine, co-codamol (Tylex), diclofenac.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 20-30 >> Interview CP23 >> Her family encouraged her to get a job as a teaching assistant which she finds hard work but definitely worth it.

Pain due to damage to spinal cord from Chiari I Malformation and syringomyelia. Pain started 1997. Surgery: Essential cranial cervical decompression and laminectomy, 1999. Treatment: Pain Clinic for medication. Current medication: gabapentin (Neurontin), dothiepin, tramadol.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP28 >> Is often disturbed by pain at night and finds it a lonely time and wishes their was someone to phone.

Neck injury during surgery (hysterectomy), 1993. Surgery: Cervical discectomy followed by microsurgery to release trapped nerves. Pain managment: Out-patient pain management clinic. Medication: morphine, co-codamol (Tylex), diclofenac.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP34 >> Often wakes with pain in the night so tapes programmes to watch at night.

Post-surgical adhesion pain/abdominal pain since 1979. Treatments: Coeliac plexus nerve block. TENS. Counselling. Current Medication: dihydrocodeine, amitriptyline, dipipanone (Diconal) for flare-up.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP07 >> Says that bad flare ups still fill her with dread and can make her depressed even though she knows how to get through them.

Back pain since 1981. Failed back surgery syndrome. Diagnosed with Arachnoiditis, 2001. Surgery: laminectomy, correction of laminectomy and spinal fusion. Pain management: Learnt through support group and books. Current medication: distalgesic, co-proxamol, maprotoline, oxycodone (Oxycontin) during recent flare-up.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP15 >> Learnt about flare up first aid plans at pain management and still uses them to manage her flare ups.

Pins and needle, numbness and neck pain since 1996. Surgery: Neck surgery for cervical mylenopathy. Treatment: Physiotherapy before and after surgery. Pain Clinic given oral steroids. Pain management: NHS outpatient pain management programme. Current medication: gabapentin, amitriptyline.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 20-30 >> Interview CP42 >> When she has a flare up she contacts people to let them know why she might not be in touch.

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 31-40 >> Interview CP37 >> Advises people to find a hobby to take their mind off the pain and to find out about pain management.

Bilateral wrist pain due to repetitive work injury, 1999. Treatment: Nurse led pain clinic for medication and advice. Current medication: amitriptyline, menthol cream. Past medication: capsaicin cream.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP45 >> Realises that the anger and frustration he feels with his pain and limitations can make his pain feel worse.

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 CP27 >> Relaxes by flooding his mind with a colour and distracts his mind from the pain by solving mathematical problems.

Back pain since 1994. Treatments: Physiotherapy. Epidural steroid injections. Pain management: One-to-one counselling with psychologist. Current medication: Uses medication for flare up. Buprenorphine (Temgesic), co-proxamol, paracetamol, meloxicam, diclofenac.