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• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Coping with work and study >> Coping with work and study

Coping with work and study

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• 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 61-80 >> Interview CP13 >> There are jobs that she can't do around the house but has found different ways of doing other tasks.

Osteoarthritis. Pain in shoulders since 1980s and lower back pain since 2002. Treatment: Hydrotherapy, Cortisone injections in shoulders. Surgery: Planned shoulder replacement in the future. Current medication: Cox 2 inhibitor. Past Medication: Ibrufen.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP47 >> Had to stop making traditional pastry and dough because it involves too much shoulder work and now buys them instead.

Neck and shoulder pain since 1992. Irritable bowel syndrome 1988. Treatment: Pain clinic. Current Medication: meloxicam (Mobic). Antiinflammatory drugs.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 31-40 >> Interview CP37 >> Talks about things that make her life easier when she is out and about, or doing housework and cooking.

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 CP12 >> Feels it is important to prioritise important jobs and accept that it is not the end of the world when things don't get done.

Multiple tests all negative. Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, 2002. Pain management: Pain Association Scotland Living with Pain course. Current Medication: Occasionally uses co-codamol.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP10 >> Talks about things that she does to make housework and cooking easier.

Neck, back and elbow pain gradual onset since 1981. Surgery: Elbow surgery. Treatments: corticosteroid injections in elbows. Pain management: Out patient NHS pain management programme. Current medication: co-proxamol occasional use, tramadol for flare-up.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Unemployment and return to work >> Unemployment and return to work

Unemployment and return to work

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 61-80 >> Interview CP09 >> Was able to return to work after attending a pain management course.

Back/neck pain since 1994. Spinal compression and arthritis. Surgery: Disc surgery in neck and surgery on lower back. Treatment: Epidural steroid injections. Pain management: Out-patient NHS pain management programme. Current medication: rofecoxib (Vioxx), amitriptyline, tramadol for flare-up. Past medication: morphine (oral and patches).

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP36 >> Found out about the '52 week rule' that meant if her job didn't work out she could go back on her original benefits.

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 CP46 >> Found that voluntary work gave him new skills and was a steppingstone back into paid employment.

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

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP45 >> Found it hard to get back into paid work so decided to do voluntary work in chronic pain.

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 31-40 >> Interview CP21 >> Says becoming a local representative for the charity Back Care has been a positive thing to come out of her experiences.

Back pain came on after injury at work, 1993. Surgery: Discectomy. Treatments: Pain clinic. Epidural steroid injections. Pain management: NHS outpatient pain management course. Current medication: dihydrocodeine, tramadol (slow release), amitriptyline, gabapentin.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 61-80 >> Interview CP17 >> Explained that the pain management programme helped her accept her back pain and that she would not return to her old job.

Back pain since 1958. Neck pain since 1993. Surgery: Laminectomy 1976, Fusion 1986, Posterior/Anterior Fusion 1992. Treatment: Epidural steroid injections. Pain management: In-patient NHS Pain Management Programme, Expert Patient Programme. Current Medication: co-proxamol (Distalgesic), diazepam.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP08 >> Accepted that he would never go back to his work with horses and has got on with the rest of his life.

Back pain following injury working with horses 1999. Surgery: Discectomy, 1999. Treatment: Pain Clinic for epidural steroid injection. Current medication: co-codamol (Tylex), codeine phosphate, tramadol.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 31-40 >> Interview CP21 >> Felt that although there are many negative things her experiences of pain have opened up positive opportunities.

Back pain came on after injury at work, 1993. Surgery: Discectomy. Treatments: Pain clinic. Epidural steroid injections. Pain management: NHS outpatient pain management course. Current medication: dihydrocodeine, tramadol (slow release), amitriptyline, gabapentin.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 20-30 >> Interview CP42 >> Realises that medication is not always the best for her body, but using it allows her to get on with life.

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 CP21 >> The combination of medicines she uses doesn't take the pain away but takes the edge off it.

Back pain came on after injury at work, 1993. Surgery: Discectomy. Treatments: Pain clinic. Epidural steroid injections. Pain management: NHS outpatient pain management course. Current medication: dihydrocodeine, tramadol (slow release), amitriptyline, gabapentin.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP46 >> Found that voluntary work gave him new skills and was a steppingstone back into paid employment.

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

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP29 >> Was concerned about using opioids at work as a nurse but checked with the General Nursing Council which said it was OK.

Back pain since, 1990. Surgery: Discectomy 1990, Discectomy 1991, Spinal stabilisation 1997, Bone fusion 2003. Treatment: Epidural steroid injections. TENS. Pain management: Going on Expert Patient Programme. Current medication: morphine, codeine, tramadol. Past Medication: fentanyl.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP45 >> Found it hard to get back into paid work so decided to do voluntary work in chronic pain.

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 CP05 >> Was bitter with his employers but the psychologist helped him realise that he needed to accept what had happened and move on.

Head, neck and back pain following injury at work in 1998. Treatments: Physiotherapy after injury. Pain Clinic. Pain management: One-to-one psychology counselling. Pain Association Scotland Living with Pain course Current medication: co-dydramol, ibuprofen.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 61-80 >> Interview CP48 >> Was provided with a specially adapted reclining seat and workstation, which allows him to work from home as a writer.

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 >> Found out about the '52 week rule' that meant if her job didn't work out she could go back on her original benefits.

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 61-80 >> Interview CP09 >> Was able to return to work after attending a pain management course.

Back/neck pain since 1994. Spinal compression and arthritis. Surgery: Disc surgery in neck and surgery on lower back. Treatment: Epidural steroid injections. Pain management: Out-patient NHS pain management programme. Current medication: rofecoxib (Vioxx), amitriptyline, tramadol for flare-up. Past medication: morphine (oral and patches).

• 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 CP15 >> Her company has a good sick pay policy and she has a good salary but chronic pain still affects her financially.

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 41-60 >> Interview CP05 >> Talks about litigation process after his injury at work and explains he had to pay back his benefits when he got a settlement.

Head, neck and back pain following injury at work in 1998. Treatments: Physiotherapy after injury. Pain Clinic. Pain management: One-to-one psychology counselling. Pain Association Scotland Living with Pain course Current medication: co-dydramol, ibuprofen.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 61-80 >> Interview CP48 >> Feels that becoming a househusband and his wife going out to work has created stresses in their relationship.

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 61-80 >> Interview CP30 >> Felt a tremendous sense of loss because he gave up a career and has only accepted the loss since he has retired.

Back pain since 1970s. Surgery: Removal of benign tumor 1983. Treatments: Spinal injections. Pain management: Out-patient NHS patient pain management programme. Current medication: None.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP05 >> Was annoyed because his employers seemed to make no effort to help him back to work and he felt he lost his independence.

Head, neck and back pain following injury at work in 1998. Treatments: Physiotherapy after injury. Pain Clinic. Pain management: One-to-one psychology counselling. Pain Association Scotland Living with Pain course Current medication: co-dydramol, ibuprofen.

• 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 CP12 >> Changed to a lower grade but less stressful job but feels it is important to keep working because it gives her a routine.

Multiple tests all negative. Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, 2002. Pain management: Pain Association Scotland Living with Pain course. Current Medication: Occasionally uses co-codamol.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP10 >> Says her employers and colleagues have been very supportive and she can adapt her routine to suit her.

Neck, back and elbow pain gradual onset since 1981. Surgery: Elbow surgery. Treatments: corticosteroid injections in elbows. Pain management: Out patient NHS pain management programme. Current medication: co-proxamol occasional use, tramadol for flare-up.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 20-30 >> Interview CP06 >> Talks about things that make her working life easier including pacing, equipment and making sure she walks to get her lunch everyday.

Back injury/pain following car accident, 1993. Fusion stabilisation surgery 1993, Repair to broken pin, 1994, Removal of stabilisation rods and pins 2001. Pain management: Learnt through physiotherapy and Back Care charity. Current medication: Herbal anti-inflammatory.

• 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 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 41-60 >> Interview CP36 >> Requested a desk assessment at her workplace and says that the equipment provided by her work is very good.

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 CP05 >> Was bitter with his employers but the psychologist helped him realise that he needed to accept what had happened and move on.

Head, neck and back pain following injury at work in 1998. Treatments: Physiotherapy after injury. Pain Clinic. Pain management: One-to-one psychology counselling. Pain Association Scotland Living with Pain course Current medication: co-dydramol, ibuprofen.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 61-80 >> Interview CP48 >> Was provided with a specially adapted reclining seat and workstation, which allows him to work from home as a writer.

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 >> Requested a desk assessment at her workplace and says that the equipment provided by her work is very good.

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.