David Walsh from Arthritis Research UK Pain Centre and experts from Arthritis Care – including their helpline manager Jo Cumming – provide us with useful advice on how to adjust so that living with chronic pain is more bearable.

Arthritis, inflammation of the joints, is thought to be a condition which affects the elderly. However, the high prevalence of arthritis amongst older generations may arise simply because it is a condition with no cure. It is a long term condition and can affect people of all ages – even babies.

Kate Llewelyn (Arthritis Care’s Head of Information Services) who developed arthritis at a young age, tells us about their new booklet for parents. It provides strategies on how to adapt family life when a child is diagnosed with a form of the disease.  Kate also discusses people’s negative attitudes and ignorance towards those living with an invisible illness, for instance: her right to a disabled parking space even though she looks perfectly healthy.

Lexy Baxter (24) shares her experience of living with arthritis at a young age and the steps she takes to prevent her condition taking over her life.

Minal Smith (editor of Arthritis News) also discusses how Arthritis Care can provide solutions for every day difficulties, such as where to find clothes with Velcro.

For more information go to www.arthritiscare.org.uk.

This show was funded by Pain Concern’s friends and supporters.

Airing Pain hears from both specialists and those living with chronic pain about how the patient-doctor relationship can be improved; and in turn how treatment of the condition can be more effective.

We hear from Jean Smith, who lives with chronic backpain and depression, on how a breakdown in communication with GPs can lead to a lack in confidence and a feeling of worthlessness. Now, thanks to the British Pain Society and the newly developed ‘Pain Patient Pathways’, the patient voice is being taken into greater consideration.

Douglas Smallwood, Chair of the BPS Patient Liason Committee, discusses how ‘special interest groups’ work towards including the patient perspective, empowering individuals by giving them the information they need to question GPs.

The show also discusses the benefits of a multi-disciplinary approach and self management.

Those interviewed include:

• Jean Smith – who lives with chronic backpain and depression
• Douglas Smallwood -  Chair of the BPS Patient Liason Committee
• Martin Johnston – Royal College of General Practioners’ UK Champion in chronic pain and on the executive committee for the Pain Patient Pathways.
• Mark Ritchie – GP based in Swansea with a special interest in pain management.
• Kevin Geddes – Director of Self Management at Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland (LTCAS)

This show was funded by Pain Concern’s supporters and friends.

Presenter Paul Harvard Evans talks to several specialists including Dr Giles Erlington from the National Migraine Centre, who says although there is no cure for migraines, the key is to managing symptoms. This begins with correct diagnosis.

By learning to recognise triggers such as sugar intake; and managing your lifestyle accordingly i.e., diet and sleep patterns. Earrington also highlights that for those prone to migraines, it is important to have a sense of routine – the body doesn’t like surprises.

We also hear from those living with chronic headaches who share their experiences; and Heather Sim, who tells us the steps to take to get referred to a migraine clinic.

Interviewees including patients and pain specialists:

• Giles Erlington, Medical Director of The National Migraine Centre
• Heather Sim, Chief Executive of The National Migraine Centre
• Patients including: Keri Bucholz, Emma Williams and Chris Whitehouse.

Listen to show 7 (25).

This show was sponsered by Pain Concern’s friends and supporters, for more information see our Just Giving page.

Interviews:

• Daphne Wood of Pain and Able swimming
• Paul Cameron, lead physiotherapist at Cameron Physiotherapy, a Pain Specialist Physiotherapist with the NHS Fife Pain Service, and a PhD Researcher with the Centre of Academic Primary Care, Aberdeen University

This show was funded by Pain Concern’s supporters and friends, and an educational grant from Grunental.

Listen to show 24 podcast.

Listen to show 23 podcast.

This show was funded by a grant from Astellas Pharma.

• Val Conway, lead clinician for community chronic pain services in East Kent.
• Jeff Moghul, Professor of Pain Studies at McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
• Sue Clayton, past member of BPS patient liaison, who has had neuropathic pain following surgery to relieve her back pain in the early 1980’s.

Listen to show 22 podcast.

This show was funded by Big Lottery Fund Awards for All (Scotland) and an educational grant from Pfizer Ltd.

It is essential that any campaign designed for helping people meets their needs from the get go. Please complete this survey if you live with a LTC and engage in walking. Also please participate if you do not engage for any particular reason.

Click on this link to go straight to the survey.

Responsible department: Department for Work and Pensions

The government were embarking on wholesale reform of the benefit system when the economic crisis struck. These welfare reforms had not been piloted and the plan was to monitor and assess the impact of the new untried approach as it was introduced in a buoyant economy. Unfortunately since then the economy has gone in to crisis and the government has simultaneously embarked on a massive programme of cuts. This has created a perfect storm and left disabled people/those with ill health, and their carers reeling, confused and afraid. We ask the government to stop this massive programme of piecemeal change until they can review the impact of all these changes, taken together, on disabled people and their carers. We ask the government to stand by its duty of care to disabled people and their carers. At the moment the covenant seems to be broken and they do not feel safe. Illness or disability could affect any one of us at any time, while many more of us are potential carers.

To sign this petition go to the HM Government page and click on the “Sign this petition” link.

• Jill Wilson, who lives in the Highlands and has lived with chronic pain for fifty years
• Jackie Milburn, clinical nurse manager for the chronic pain service at NHS Highland
• Dr John Macleod, consultant anaesthetist at Caithness General Hospital in Wick and Clinical Lead for the chronic pain management service.
• Cathy Stannard, consultant in pain medicine at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol.
• Marion Beatson, who has lived with chronic pain since having a work place accident eleven years ago and benefits from the mindfulness approach.
• Dr David Gillanders , clinical psychologist who shares his time between the University of Edinburgh and Lothian Chronic Pain Service and is an advocator of meditation.

Listen to show 21 podcast.

This programme was funded by a grant from Big Lottery Fund Awards for All (Scotland) and by an educational grant from Pfizer Ltd.