• Condition
• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Chronic Pain

Publication date: March 2005          Last updated: November 2010.

Review date: November 2012

 

Chronic pain can have a wide range of causes and symptoms. We interviewed 47 people about their experiences of chronic pain. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.

• Clip
• 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 CP15 >> Found it hard when she first went to the pain management programme because it felt like there was nothing more could be done.

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 31-40 >> Interview CP37 >> Was referred to a nurse lead pain management service where she learnt better ways of doing her daily activities.

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 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 CP38 >> Went to an Expert Patient Programme self management course for people with any chronic illness.

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 >> Chronic Pain

Publication date: March 2005          Last updated: November 2010.

Review date: November 2012

 

Chronic pain can have a wide range of causes and symptoms. We interviewed 47 people about their experiences of chronic pain. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP10 >> Has learnt to gradually increase the length of time that she can walk the dog.

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 61-80 >> Interview CP48 >> Feels he is not a natural pacer but knows that it is better to pace than end up in pain.

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 CP12 >> Learnt to manage her pain by going on a self-management programme run by the support group Pain Association Scotland.

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 61-80 >> Interview CP48 >> Was told on the pain management programme that relaxation and exercise produce natural pain relieving chemicals.

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 CP01 >> Was sceptical about visualisation but tried it and was surprised to find it helped relieve the pain in her thumb.

Diagnosed with Lupus, 1983. Treatment: Regularly attends rheumatology clinic. Pain management: Pain Association Scotland Living with Pain course. Current medication: co-dydramol, prednisolone - steroid for flare-up. Past medication: dihydrocodeine

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 20-30 >> Interview CP02 >> Paces herself by prioritising when she is going to walk and when she is sitting uses a buzzer to remind her to stretch.

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 CP03 >> Finds he can achieve jobs by doing them over a few days but saves jobs that need to be done in one go for good days.

Brachial plexus injury following motorbike accident in 1983. Two failed nerve operations. Treatment: Pain Clinic for TENS and nerve block. Pain management: Pain Association Scotland Living with Pain course. Current medication: co-codomal.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP03 >> Finds that deep breathing and relaxation reduce the stress and tension that can increase the pain.

Brachial plexus injury following motorbike accident in 1983. Two failed nerve operations. Treatment: Pain Clinic for TENS and nerve block. Pain management: Pain Association Scotland Living with Pain course. Current medication: co-codomal.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP05 >> Went on pain management courses, gained confidence and started to read books.

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 CP05 >> Feels it is important for him set and achieve small goals each day.

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 CP06 >> Worked on increasing her fitness so she could achieve her goal of going on a camping safari holiday.

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 CP46 >> Explains how to work out a baseline of how long you can do something for before the pain increases.

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 CP07 >> Learnt to manage her pain through a support group and several self-management books that she found extremely helpful.

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.

• Topic
• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Learning about pain management >> Learning about pain management

Learning about pain management

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Pain management: pacing and goal setting >> Pain management: pacing and goal setting

Pain management techniques: pacing and goal setting

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Pain management: relaxation and distraction >> Pain management: relaxation and distraction

Pain management techniques: relaxation and distraction

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP07 >> Felt that doctors saw her as a 'heart sink' patient but got involved with a support group and learnt a lot from other people.

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 CP08 >> Gained weight when he became less active but set himself walking targets and slowly worked up to them at his own pace.

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 41-60 >> Interview CP46 >> Explained that it easy to get trapped in the NHS system and feels that acceptance is the key to living with pain.

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 CP30 >> Explains that he no longer goes to the doctor about his pain.

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 20-30 >> Interview CP19 >> Was referred to a psychologist who helped her understand how stress increased her pain and taught her pacing and breathing.

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 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.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP28 >> Finds guided visualisation difficult and prefers to use progressive muscle relaxation.

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 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 61-80 >> Interview CP30 >> Recommends nutritional approaches and massage as part of a broader coping strategy.

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 61-80 >> Interview CP30 >> Describes how dealing with his first wife's illness and death resulted in increased pain.

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 CP46 >> Says he is one of the lucky ones because he went on a pain management programme instead of having surgery.

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 >> Still panics for a moment when he gets a flare-up but now knows to manage it using ice packs, short periods of rest, gentle stretching and exercise.

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 >> Saw two different consultants one who said nothing could be done and another with a more holistic approach who referred her to pain management.

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 CP36 >> Was suspicious of pain management because it involved psychology and she was concerned that the doctors thought the pain was in her head.

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 CP36 >> Was suspicious of pain management because it involved psychology and she was concerned that the doctors thought the pain was in her head.

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 CP43 >> Was video taped walking at the start and the end of the pain management programme and was amazed at the improvement.

Back pain since accident at home in 1993. Treatments: Facet joint injections. Pain management: In-patient NHS pain management programme. Current medication: co-dydramol Past medication: co-proxamol.

• Chronic health issues >> Chronic Pain >> Age 41-60 >> Interview CP46 >> Says he is one of the lucky ones because he went on a pain management programme instead of having surgery.

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 CP30 >> On the pain management programme he was initially reluctant to join in and exercise but when he saw an improvement was more enthusiastic.

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 31-40 >> Interview CP21 >> When she went to a pain management clinic she was a relieved to be told that they believed her pain.

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 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 61-80 >> Interview CP48 >> Explained that the people on the pain management programme all had chronic pain for different reasons but they still gelled.

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 CP07 >> Learnt to manage her pain through a support group and several self-management books that she found extremely helpful.

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 CP46 >> Described how you get referred to a pain management programme and the difference between pain management programmes and pain clinics.

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 >> Learnt, on a pain management programme, how negative thoughts and stress affect her pain and was surprised when relaxation helped.

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 CP48 >> While he was at the pain management programme he set, worked towards and achieved his goal of climbing a small mountain.

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 CP10 >> Was scared to exercise but on the pain management programme learnt how to gradually increase the exercise she does.

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 41-60 >> Interview CP46 >> Explains that part of achieving a goal is problem solving which can involve asking others how they manage.

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 CP10 >> Had been frightened that she might re injure her arm so protected it but now knows that exercise is safe and beneficial

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 41-60 >> Interview CP11 >> Was assessed before going on a pain management programme to make sure he was going to benefit.

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 61-80 >> Interview CP17 >> Learnt simple techniques at the pain management programme that weren't earth shattering but changed her whole approach to life.

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 CP15 >> Found it hard when she first went to the pain management programme because it felt like there was nothing more could be done.

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 >> NHS Pain Management Programmes >> NHS Pain Management Programmes

NHS Pain Management Programmes