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• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Interview CP49 >> A doctor explains that there are different pathways that carry information about pain to the brain.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Interview CP49 >> A doctor explains that the emotional parts of the brain can directly affect the pain system.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 31-40 >> Interview CP21 >> Started wondering whether she was imagining the pain so stopped talking her medication and found it was very much there.

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 CP14 >> When she has a flare up she tries stretching and taking a bath but says that sometimes a good cry can be therapeutic.

Back pain following injury at work 1994. Myofascial pain syndrome. Treatments: Hydrotherapy and Biofeedback. Current medication: None.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP11 >> Says you have to challenge the "why me" thoughts with "I can cope" and "it will feel better in the morning".

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 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 41-60 >> Interview CP11 >> Had several spasms of pain in public and was embarrassed because people thought he was drunk. This contributed to him becoming reclusive.

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 CP34 >> Explains that you can feel lonely even when your family are around because pain is very internalised.

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 CP33 >> Used to drink alcohol in the hope it would help his pain but realised it just made him abusive.

Back, leg and shoulder pain following road traffic accident 1986. Treatments: Nurse led pain clinic for advice and medication. Current medication: amitriptyline, co-codomal. Past medication: opioid (Diconal), diazepam, temazepam.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 20-30 >> Interview CP16 >> Explains that pain and how you feel are a vicious cycle and you need to find ways of breaking it.

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 41-60 >> Interview CP15 >> Found it hard to admit that she was depressed and was annoyed that her GP suggested antidepressants but another GP put her at ease.

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 CP27 >> Became completely reclusive and lay in a darkened room but then started to think about who he used to be like and got help.

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.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP38 >> Has felt suicidal in the past and recommends picking up the phone and talking to a support group or the Samaritans.

Pain since 1979, Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 1996, Treatment: Hydrotherapy. Pain Clinic advice and medication. Pain management: Expert patient programme. Current medication: tramadol, morphine patches. Past medication: co-proxomal, co-dydramol.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP18 >> Explains that her dog comforts her, gets her out of the house and helped her to dismiss suicidal thoughts.

Back pain since car accident, 1978. Treatments: Facet joint injections, TENS. Current Medication: dihydrocodeine, co-proxomol, buprenorphine (Temgesic) for flare-up, diazepam for muscle spasms. Past medication: Diclofenac.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP45 >> Accepts that sometimes he'll have pain for a few days after doing something he really wants to but those days keep him going.

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 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 CP05 >> Says pain made him aggressive although he didn't always realise it and is now trying to make it up to his family.

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 CP40 >> Realised he would drive his family away unless he could control the aggression which was brought on by his pain.

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 CP36 >> Was worried that her children might remember her as "Angry Mummy" or become grumpy themselves.

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 CP07 >> Was referred to a psychiatrist and felt disbelieved but now realises that counselling can help.

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 CP07 >> Explains that people need to recognise that pain is physical and emotional.

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.