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• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 20-30 >> Interview CP19 >> Had to stop her medication in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Pelvic pain since menstruation, 1992 and back pain. Treatment: Laser laparoscopy. Medication to suppress periods. Pain management: One-to-one psychology. Current Medication: co-codamol (Tylex), sodium diclofenac (Voltarol), amitriptyline and morphine for flare-up.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP34 >> Her GP told her she should take her medication regularly.

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 31-40 >> Interview CP39 >> Was disappointed that his GP did not explain that the antidepressant was to treat his nerve pain, not depression.

Neck and arm pain since 2003 aggravated by working at computer workstation. Treatment: Physiotherapy, NHS and police convalescent home. Current medication: tramadol slow release, tramadol, amitriptyline.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 31-40 >> Interview CP37 >> Tried capsaicin cream and menthol cream for bilateral wrist pain and got some relief from menthol cream while also taking an antidepressant.

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 31-40 >> Interview CP20 >> She was originally prescribed one drug but couldn't tolerate the side effects so was given a similar drug which gave her less trouble.

Abdominal/ Pelvic pain since 1992, Back pain since 1991. Surgery: Laparoscopy followed by Hysterectomy. Treatment: Epidural injection for sciatica. Facet joint injections. Pain management: Exercise classes for back pain. Medication: imipramine for pelvic pain, co-codamol for back pain.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP15 >> Feels frustrated that she cannot reduce her medication for nerve pain, but has found her GP very supportive.

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 CP15 >> Finds that she gets a dry mouth from taking amitriptyline and has to use special toothpaste to protect her teeth.

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 CP02 >> Regularly takes a combination of pain medication and antidepressant drugs and can vary other painkillers throughout the day.

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