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  • Pain Concern would like to remind listeners that the topic of chronic pain can be uncomfortable for those with lived experience of chronic pain. Please read the description for information about this edition's content.

    In a 2020 US study, it was found that ‘Implicit bias remains a contributor to healthcare disparities.’ This can be based on gender, ethnicity, disability or locality, and has the potential to affect somebody no matter their background.

    In Airing Pain 142, we begin with specific references to disparities in Musculoskeletal (MSK) treatment, and how we can learn from other healthcare fields to increase patient satisfaction; we then focus on how both internal and external stigma can lead to discrimination in treatment; before ending with a discussion about why ethnic minorities are being inadvertently discriminated against in the pain management setting.

    If you enjoyed this episode of Airing Pain, why not subscribe? You can also leave us a review via our Airing Pain survey

    Read Transcript

    Contributors:
    Professor Jonathan Hill is the Director of Research for the School of Allied Health Professionals, and a Professor of Physiotherapy, in the Keele School of Medicine.

    Dr Ama Kissi is a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Ghent and a Clinical Psychologist.

    Dr Whitney Scott is a clinical psychologist who lectures at Kings College London and is the research lead at the INPUT Pain Management Unit at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital.

    Time Stamps:
    1:30: Professor Jonathan Hill speaks about the disparities in musculoskeletal pain treatment in primary care.

    6:04: Sharing their experiences and research, Paul and Jonathan discuss the differences between Pain Management and Diabetes care.

    9:59: Jonathan Hill highlights the importance of differentiating between people accessing pain management care frequently and infrequently.

    15:26: Jonathan Hill alludes to the ‘Restore’ trial in Australia, and the success of integrating physiotherapists into the pain management care system.

    18:44: Dr Whitney Scott talks about the stigma and discrimination of people living with pain.

    24:44: Whitney Scott discusses the way that health care professionals can work with people in pain who feel stigmatised.

    26:01: Paul and Dr Ama Kissi discuss the disparities in pain management for different ethnicities and hypothesise why this might be the case.

    31:17: Ama Kissi shares her own experiences as a black woman in the healthcare environment - this segment discussed childbirth.

    Thanks:
    This edition of Airing Pain was possible thanks to support from the British Pain Society

    If you’re looking for more information and support on managing pain visit painconcern.org.uk.

    Additional Resources:
    Pain Matters 84 - This magazine issue focuses on inequalities in public health.
    Stigma and Pain Management - US Department of Health and Human Services.
    ‘Stigma and Chronic Pain’ - A research article published in ‘Pain and Therapy’.
    Further information on the Restore Trial

  • This edition of Airing Pain sheds light on the unique challenges of living with cancer as a child or young adult, and the later impacts of the cancer treatment they underwent during the critical formative years. Airing Pain speaks to experts on the longitudinal impacts of cancer for these age groups; across medical, physical, and psychosocial.

    Pain and fatigue are commonly reported as the most significant negative impact on quality of life when living with cancer. Until quite recently there has been little research in the area of living with cancer and experiencing medical treatments for cancer as a child or young adult during the critical formative years, and even less so on the long-term impacts these treatments can have throughout later adulthood.

    Our contributors discuss a variety of determinants that impact long-term effects such as type of treatment, type of cancer, their personal resilience, and their family and social support networks. We also hear of the opportunities in improving cancer care for these age groups, particularly with the difficult transition from child to adult care units.

    Contributors:

    - Emeritus Professor Sam Ahmedzai, NIHR National Specialty Lead for Cancer

    - Professor Diana Greenfield, Senior Consultant Nurse at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust

    - Ceinwen Giles, Co-CEO, Shine Cancer Support

    Time Stamps:

    0:50 Paul introducing Emeritus Professor Sam Ahmedzai, an internationally recognised pioneer in setting up palliative medicine. 2022 British Pain Society interview.

    2:53 Discussion around later hormonal effects of some successful treatments used to eradicate and manage cancer in children and teenagers.

    5:54 Professor Diana Greenfield, Senior Consultant Nurse at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust, NHS, on the transition between paediatric to adult cancer care.

    13:18 The importance of family-centred care. Defined as a house or unit of care that can be traditional or non-traditional but represents a holistic support network.

    18:00 Ceinwen Giles, Co-CEO, Shine Cancer Support, working to provide support for people in their 20s 30s and 40s who have lived with cancer and chronic cancer.

    19:00 Ceinwin Giles talking on her personal experience of receiving treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and challenges in finding peers her own age who share her experiences.

    21:54 Managing early-life considerations alongside cancer. Career uncertainty, mental health in jobs, as well as fertility, relationships, and dating.

    23:00 The difficult transition from child to adult care, in terms of having fewer people and services supporting as an adult. There are opportunities to improve the easing of this transition, especially following the pandemic where services are stretched.

    25:20 Invitation to respond to the Airing Pain survey.

    26:02 Summary of the key take home messages for children and young adults, and those caring for them.

    Additional Resources:

    Airing Pain 140: Childhood Pain - Adverse Experiences and Parental RelationshipsShine Cancer SupportFamilies and Children Resource Page Airing Pain 118: Pain Management in Young People

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  • This edition of Airing Pain is on the topic of early childhood experiences.
    (Content warning: includes abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction)
    The World Health Organisation states that ‘adverse childhood experiences (ACE) can have lifelong consequences on a person’s health, and well-being, and can lead to a person developing persistent pain in later life’. A lot of this research is conducted in adults, and of course with changes in attitudes and beliefs surrounding raising children over the years, would they consider events in their childhood to be adverse?
    Listen to learn more about this complex discussion. Find out how this kind of trauma in formative years impacts neurobiologically on the stress response, and causes changes on a structural and functional level in the brain that can predispose young people not only to pain but depression, cardiovascular disease, behaviours with increased health risks, and can have impact on mortality.
    Contributors: Dr Katie Birnie, Clinical Psychologist at the University of Calgary, on the importance of validating pain in young people. Professor Lesley Colvin, Project Lead at Consortium Against Pain InEquality (CAPE) and Professor of Pain Medicine at the University of Dundee, and consultant in pain services. Jen Ford, DRAP Pain Physio & Therapy Lead at Bath Centre for Pain Services & Bristol Paediatric Pain Professor Lesley Colvin, Project Lead at Consortium Against Pain InEquality (CAPE) and Professor of Pain Medicine at the University of Dundee, and consultant in pain services. Professor Tim Hales, Project Lead at CAPE and a non-clinical Professor of anaethesia at the University of Dundee. Dr Lauren Heathcote, Senior Lecturer in health psychology at Kings College London
    Timestamps
    2:06 Prof Tim Hales discusses the impact on ACE on chronic pain and how people respond to treatment.
    7:02 Prof Lesley Colvin Professor on how ACE causes persistent pain.
    16:05 Dr Lauren Heathcote discusses the psychology of pain and symptom perception in young people.
    23:26 Jen Ford on the different approach required when working with children.
    26:05 Dr. Katie Bernie explore the importance of children and family partnerships.

    Related links
    CAPE Consortium Against Pain InEquality

    Health Scotland – Adverse Childhood Experiences

    TED talk: Carol Dwerk – The Power of Believing you can improve

    Bath Centre for Pain Services

    Airing Pain survey

    Pain Concern Children and Families resources

  • This edition of Airing Pain was recorded at the Living Well with Persistent Pain in Wales conference during Pain Awareness Month in September 2023. The topic of the conference was the launch of the revised Persistent Pain guidance first published in 2019.

    The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we live and access services. How are healthcare professionals who treat patients with persistent pain capitalising on this improved digital literacy by using a digital-first approach to improve the patient experience at their clinics? With the aim of this year's conference being to see the person and not the symptoms, how can the patient's voice be heard and kept central to ensure this is done? And finally, how can the Third Sector and the NHS work more cohesively to work towards this goal? Listen or read the transcript to find out more.

    Contributors
    Bethany Davies Health care support worker, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
    Gethin Harries, Physiotherapist, Powys Health Board (Powys Living Well Service).
    Eluned Morgan MS, Health Minister
    Owen Hughes National Clinical Lead for Persistent Pain in Wales
    Stephen Allan, Regional Director New Citizen’s Voice Body for Wales
    Dr Sue Jeffs, National Clinical Lead for Persistent Pain Patient organisation representatives
    Mary Cowern Head of Nation for Cymru Versus Arthritis
    Heather Wallace, Pain Concern

    Representatives of other organisations present at the event, including Health Education for Improvement Wales, Real City Strategy North Wales, Cardiff and Vales University Health Board and Case UK Ltd.

    Read Transcript Feedback survey

    Timestamps
    0:35 Eluned Morgan MS welcomes delegates to the launch of the revised Living With Persistent Pain in Wales guidelines.
    3:04 Owen Hughes explains the updates to the guidelines.
    6:04 Eluned Morgan MS on the feedback received regarding the guidence and how it can continue to evolve.
    6:35 Representatives from Real City Strategy North Wales and Powys Living Well Service discuss how those living with pain can be supported.
    12:48 Eluned Morgan MS and a representative from Cardiff and Vales University Health Board talk about self-management and peer support groups.
    23:59 Mary Cowern, Neil Fowler and Bethany Davies on how the guidelines will impact their organisations.
    37:39 Eluned Morgan MS on the need to reduce ineffective treatments.
    38:35 Information on upskilling for healthcare professionals from Catrin from Health Education and Improvement Wales.
    40:38 The Patient Voice – Stephen Allan, Eluned Morgan MS and Dr Sue Jeffs on the importance of patients informing on the services available.
    48:11 Heather Wallace reflects on the event and a final request about person-centred care from Eluned Morgan MS.

    Additional Resources Living with Persistent Pain in Wale Guidance eppcymru.org All Wales Analgesic Stewardship Guidance CaseUKVersus ArthritisAiring Pain 109 Fibromyalgia Airing Pain 121: Living with Persistent Pain in Wales Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015

  • Is self-compassion a trait or a state of being? This edition is inspired by findings that suggest stronger self-compassion is associated with reduced impact of chronic pain.

    Self-compassion, in this sense, is the ability to respond to pain and difficulties with kindness and openness rather than criticism. In this episode we ask our artistic contributors, and ourselves, how to step towards achieving self-compassion and the importance of movement in looking after our bodies.

    This edition of Airing Pain was made possible by the invaluable contributions of our participating artists who showcased their works at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and those in the academic field. We learn the motives behind using dance as a way of supporting those in pain, but also expressing and communicating pain to audiences.

    Contributors:
    Dr Sarah Hopfinger, Artist and Researcher (Edinburgh Fringe: “Pain and I”)
    Victoria Abbott-Fleming MBE, Founder of the Burning Nights CRPS
    Dr Emma Meehan, Associate Professor, Centre for Dance Research, Coventry University
    Tali Foxworthy Bowers, Choreographer and Movement Director (Edinburgh Fringe: “Monoslogue”)
    Jenna Gillett, PhD Student, Department of Psychology University of Warwick

    The music used at the beginning of this edition was an original composition for Pain & I by Alicia Jane Turner.
    Images provided by Sarah Hopfinger.

    Read transcript

    Time Stamps:
    1:35 – Miriam Introduces Sarah Hopfinger’s “Pain and I” performance during Edinburgh’s Festival Fringe, and asks what techniques from the world of dance offer those living with pain?
    3:41 – Pacing as a technique. Also see 13:25 for Sarah Hopfinger on pacing.
    6:34 – Emma Meehan, at the British Pain Society, on how dancers living with pain approach pain.
    8:34 – Introducing Tali Foxworthy-Bowers
    15:54 – A huge thank you, and invitation, for filling in our survey
    16:20 – Emma Meehan and research into what somatic practices in movement can offer those living with pain.
    18:20 – The importance of sharing and telling stories about pain experiences as an act of self-compassion for performers, and mutual connection. See also 25:53 for a continuation of this sentiment from Tali Foxworthy Bowers.
    21:25 – Pain catastrophising, how we frame pain, and techniques for being kinder to ourselves with self-love and compassion.
    27:54 – Suggestions of how to support those close to you who are living with pain.
    31:34 – Emma Meehan discussing agency with pain, as showcased at the British Pain Society ASM 2023.
    35:10 – The role of charities in patient support, and what else can charities be doing?
    37:27 – Chronic pain is chronic strength: acceptance of pain as part of the bodies we love and care for.

    Additional Resources:
    Burning nights
    NHS Resources
    Somatic Practice
    Dr Meehan's Book: Performing Process

  • This edition of Airing Pain was prompted by the 2022 NICE Guidelines which followed a Public Health England report (2019) looking at medicines associated with dependence and withdrawal.

    Read transcript

    This new legislation follows increased concerns in high levels of prescribing.

    This edition discusses the challenges and opportunities of de-prescribing; and poses a shift in focus towards supported self-management and de-medicalising the management of pain for some patients. By this we mean the exploration of alternative therapies and supported self-care customised to individual needs, which come hand-in-hand with any de-prescribing of medicines.

    We discuss the incredibly important role of the advanced pharmacist practitioner in adjusting the prescriptions of medicine, and the long-term regular use of pharmacists for these purposes.

    Contributors:
    Dr Emma Davies, Advanced Pharmacist Practitioner specialising in Pain Management
    Dr Keith Mitchell, Consultant in Pain Medicine at the Royal Cornwall Hospital
    Dr Jim Huddy, GP and Clinical Lead for Chronic Pain

    This edition of Airing Pain was possible thanks to support from the British Pain Society.

    Time Stamps:
    0:49 – Paul introducing the topic NICE Guidelines 2022, following from a Public Health England report 2019 looking at medicines associated with dependence and withdrawal.

    1:38 – Introducing Dr Emma Davies; advanced pharmacist practitioner in pain management, Co-Founder to Living Well With Pain, prescribing for chronic pain, and involved in setting NICE guidelines.

    6:23 – The problem: knowing the medicines may be harmful but a lack of correct support in place for other ways of living with pain. Reducing this type of medicine must come hand-in-hand with proper support to living well with pain.

    7:24 – What does support look like? Alternative therapies and support based on their personalised circumstances.

    9:15 – Talk from the Patient Group at the British Pain Society on intersectional problems and barriers to accessing care particularly for socially minoritized individuals and groups.

    13:28 – Introducing the educational resources Pain Consultants Dr Keith Mitchell and Dr Jim Huddy, at Royal Cornwall Hospital, have put together for prescribers.

    14:12 – Introducing Dr Frances Cole’s 10 footstep model to pain management as another possible alternative to prescribing.

    16:26 – Social prescribers and upskilling non-clinicians to provide support.

    17:27 – Discussion on how to pose non-medical supported self-management to patients, in place of medicalised support.

    17:49 – Explaining the Pain Café in Cornwall

    20:00 – Invitation to fill in our survey

    20:45 – Advanced pharmacist practitioner, Dr Emma Davis, on the diverse and essential roles pharmacists play in pain management.

    21:40 – Introducing the ‘medication review’.

    28:48 – The ‘healing power of a good book’: escapism techniques.

    More Information:
    Referenced Edition 123: Dr Jim Huddy Royal Cornwall Hospital, in ‘Opioids and Chronic Pain’
    The Pain Café in Cornwall
    Imagine If – Social Prescribing Team
    NICE Guidelines (2022) ‘Medicines associated with dependence or withdrawal symptoms’
    Living Well with Pain – Ten Footsteps Programme

  • What’s around the corner? This edition of Airing Pain platforms four internationally recognised clinicians from the British Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting

    Recently healthcare technology and innovation has seen a rapid acceleration, particularly following disruption caused by the Covid 19 pandemic. In this edition we look around the corner and examine the most current technological advances for pain therapy, especially those that can be used with or even in replacement of conventional medical treatments.

    The Airing Pain team attended the British Pain Society ASM in 2022, to listen and interview top thought-leaders on pain technology advancements and the projects they are working on. Hear them introduce their specialist areas of: new scientific evidence for fibromyalgia; neuropathic pain in the form of phantom limb and post-surgery back pain; and cutting-edge developments in neuromodulation techniques, specifically non-invasive Virtual Reality and Gaming for treating neurological distortions.

    Contributors: Dr Stephen Ward, Chair of Scientific Committee, St Thomas Hospital London Dr Simon Thomson, Consultant, Pain Medicine and Neuromodulation, Mid and South Essex University Hospitals NHS Trust Dr Owen Williamson, Pain Medicine Specialist, School of Interactive Arts and Technology at Simon Fraser University Vancouver British Columbia Dr Timothy Deer, Interventional Pain Doctor West Virginia and President of The Spine and Nerve Centers Time Stamps:
    0:20 – Introductory quotes of internationally recognised Clinicians from the British Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM).
    1:24 - Introduction by Paul Evans to British Pain Society ASM attendance.
    1:58 - Dr Stephen Ward, Chair of Scientific Committee, St Thomas Hospital London, on emerging scientific evidence for the study of Fibromyalgia.
    5:16 - Dr Simon Thomson, Consultant, Pain Medicine and Neuromodulation, Mid and South Essex University Hospitals NHS Trust introducing the basics of neuromodulation and neuropathic pain, using secondary back pain as an example.
    11:10 – Dr Simon Thomson on the process of Spinal Cord stimulation and equipment.
    18:33 - Dr Owen Williamson, Pain Medicine Specialist, School of Interactive Arts and Technology at Simon Fraser University Vancouver British Columbia, on virtual reality (VR) for chronic pain treatment, particularly the uses of VR for painful distortions.
    25:05 – Dr Owen Williamson on his talk titled ‘Modifying the Matrix: Virtual Reality’ at the British Pain Society ASM.
    30:22 – Dr Owen Williamson on potential drawbacks to using VR Therapy. Followed by a discussion of mitigation techniques; artificial intelligence and body sensors for patient-monitoring in virtual environments.
    32:56 - Invitation to fill out our Online Survey
    32:42 – Introducing Dr Timothy Deer, Interventional Pain Doctor West Virginia and President of The Spine and Nerve Centers of the Virginias on the future of personalised management and remote home programming to benefit those living with chronic pain.
    39:08 - Dr Owen Williamson discussing the optimistic yet cautionary future of virtual reality and wider emerging technologies for pain therapy; the importance of preserving empathy as typically found in the doctor-patient relationship.

    Special Thanks:
    This edition of Airing Pain was possible thanks to support from the British Pain Society.

    More Information:
    Airing Pain 61: Deciding Together
    Pain Matters 73: Neuropathic Pain Issue
    Manage Your Pain leaflet
    Chronic Pain and Health Inequalities

  • This edition of Airing Pain examines how Covid-19 has impacted on the relationship between patient and healthcare professional.

    In the two or so years of living with Covid-19, the face-to-face relationship between doctors and patients was one of the first casualties. With restrictions relaxed, have we returned to the status quo, or has what was developed at breakneck speed led to new working practices?

    In 2019, just months before Covid-19 became part of our lives, a workshop, ‘Experts by Experience – Working Together in Pain Management Programmes’ explored an innovative approach to pain management in which patients became integral members within the clinical pain team. Has this relationship survived social isolation and lockdowns?

    Contributors include Consultant in Pain Medicine with the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Cathy Price and Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Nick Ambler of the North Bristol NHS Trust, and people living with chronic pain.

    Read transcript

    Issues covered in this programme include:
    COVID, self-management of long-term conditions, peer support, communicating pain, community healthcare, patient volunteer, support group, training course, volunteering and workshops.

    Time Stamps:

    1:15 – Dr Cathy Price on delivery rapidly changing from face-to-face to online, having to prioritise vital healthcare, and what didn’t work remotely.
    6:00 – Dr Cathy Price on the barriers the technology can create.
    7:05 – Paul Evans recaps Airing Pain 119 Experts By Experience: Working Together In Pain Management Programmes
    10:10 – Dr Nick Ambler talks on the Experts by Experience: Working Together In Pain Management Programmes Workshop.
    14:12 – Nick on the service user involvement in delivering Pain Management Programmes and what it means for health professionals.
    17:00 – Paul ask Nick how a GP could approach a repeat consultation about pain to create a productive outcome.
    19:55 – How the Covid pandemic impacted the work of pain clinics.
    22:25 – Paul questions whether post-pandemic approaches to healthcare will revert.
    27:00 – Cathy Price on the positive outcomes of working during a pandemic.
    28:00 – Nick Ambler on the impact of patients being part of the team.
    30:00 – Primrose Granville on her pain management programme experience.

    Contributors: Dr Cathy Price, Consultant in Pain Medicine with the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust Dr Nick Ambler of the North Bristol NHS Trust Patient-volunteer Primrose Granville, and other people living with chronic pain. Special Thanks:
    This edition of Airing Pain was supported by the British Pain Society and funded by grants from the James Weir Foundation, the Hospital Saturday Fund and the Erskine Cunningham Hill Trust.

    More Information:
    Pain Matters 78: managing pain during the coronavirus pandemic Airing Pain #119 Experts by experience Working Together In Pain Management Programmes Airing Pain 133: How Group Consultations Can Help Long COVID And Other Conditions


  • What is mental defeat and does it have an impact on the experiences of those living with pain?

    In this edition of Airing Pain, Paul Evans interviews the team at the Warwick Study of Mental Defeat in Chronic Pain (WITHIN Project) and research participants, as well as taking part in the study as a participant himself.

    The study, which runs until May 2023, is investigating how mental defeat can influence pain sensation, sleep patterns, social activity, physical activity and the general health of individuals who have chronic pain.

    Mental defeat is defined as the perceived loss of autonomy in the face of uncontrollable, traumatic events. In the context of chronic pain this can be explained as a loss of identity and self in relation to repeated episodes of pain.

    Paul talks to the team about their experimental, lab-based study and the sleep-tracking survey, then undergoes the lab experiment himself. He discusses how he found it, the possible outcomes of the research and also interviews other participants.

    The WITHIN Project will generate information to help further understand the influence that mental defeat has on distress and disability in chronic pain patients. This is essential listening for anyone wanting to know more about the research process, or wanting to participate.

    Issues covered in this programme include: Mental defeat, pain research, insomnia, psychological effects of pain, chronic pain, patient perspective, acceptance and commitment therapy, research participation, pain thresholds.

    Time Stamps:
    0:25 Dr Nicole Tang, the Principal Investigator, discusses the definition of mental defeat.
    1:22 Explanation of the WITHIN Study of Mental Defeat in Chronic Pain.
    5:55 Jenna Gillett, PHD student and study researcher, on the relationship between pain and mental defeat.
    7:17 Jenna Gillett and Dr Nicole Tang explain the sleep tracker study.
    12:19 The impact of the COVID pandemic on the study – adaptations and the unexpected outcomes.
    14:00 Participant Lauren Pulsford describes her experience of taking part in the study.
    16:00 Producer Paul Evans meets Research Fellow Kristy Themelis to participate in the lab-based experiment.
    20:00 Dr Nicole Tang on the association between chronic pain and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
    21:00 Exploring what happens to those with chronic pain have a strong sense of mental defeat.
    22:00 Explanation of the longitudinal study – looking at sense of defeat, pain and activity over time.
    23:00 Jenna Gillett talks about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and its possible links with mental defeat.
    24:00 Back in the lab with Paul Evans and Kristy Themelis, measuring his pain pressure threshold.
    27:00 Paige Karadag, research assistant, explains the challenges of recruiting research participants online.
    31:30 Paul Evans and Kristy Themelis discuss the experiments that he participated in and how he found it.
    35:30 Paige Karadag and Jenna Gillett outline the criteria for research participants for the study, which will be running until May 2023.
    39:00 Participant Caroline Perry offers her take on why people should take part.

    Contributors: Dr Nicole Tang, Principal Investigator, WITHIN project, University of Warwick. Jenna Gillett, PHD student, WITHIN project, University of Warwick. Lauren Pulsford, research participant with lived experience of chronic pain. Paul Evans, research participant with lived experience of chronic pain. Dr Kristy Themelis, Research Fellow, WITHIN project, University of Warwick. Paige Karadag, Research Assistant, WITHIN project, University of Warwick. Caroline Perry, research participant with lived experience of chronic pain. Special Thanks to the WITHIN team at University of Warwick
    This edition of Airing Pain has been funded by grants from the Medical Research Council.

    More Information: Warwick Study of Mental Defeat in Chronic Pain Pain Concern Getting a good night’s sleep leaflet Pain Matters Magazine Airing Pain 119: Experts by Experience: Working together in pain management programmes

  • How the symptoms of long COVID are being managed using group consultations and the many things long COVID has in common with other long-term conditions.

    Now that COVID has become a part of our day-to-day lives, so too has long COVID. So, with so much money now being directed towards researching treatments for long COVID, how might this impact the way we treat all manner of chronic conditions?

    In this episode of Airing Pain, Paul Evans interviews the team at the Berkshire Pain Clinic, who run a specific long COVID service, on treating people with the condition. Notably, there are many similarities between the symptoms of long COVID and the symptoms of other long-term conditions, such as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. Issues like managing pain, fatigue, sleep and pacing are not only common in those with long COVID, but those with chronic illness in general. This raises the possibility that the money being spent now on long COVID may have a far wider reaching benefit in the long term.

    The team at the Berkshire Pain Clinic have already found success in using group consultations to manage long COVID. Listen, or read the transcript, to find out how these consultations are run and why they are proving so beneficial.

    Issues covered in this programme include:

    group consultations, long COVID, self-management of long-term conditions, fibromyalgia, fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, pacing, sleep problems, building support networks, managing mood problems and goal setting.

    Time Stamps:

    02:02 – Dr Deepak Ravindran explains how existing knowledge can help us to manage long COVID.
    08:22 – Dr Rupa Joshi explains how group consultations can provide support to those with long-term conditions.
    11:09 – how did group consultations start at the Berkshire Pain Clinic?
    13:50 – Dr Rupa Joshi discusses how both patients and healthcare professionals can learn from group consultations.
    14:17 – how do group consultations for long COVID differ from those for other health conditions?
    15:33 – Dr Deepak Ravindran on how our understanding of COVID and long COVID have changed.
    18:52 – Caroline Mole shares her experience of long COVID, pain and fatigue and how it has impacted her life.
    20:25 – Dr Deepak Ravindran shares how his experience of COVID gave him perspective on the experiences of his chronic pain patients.
    21:54 – how funding for long COVID can help those living with other long-term conditions.
    24:25 – Airing Pain producer Paul Evans shares his experience of fibromyalgia and how it has a lot in common with long COVID.
    26:04 – could the treatments we discover for long COVID be used for people with other conditions?
    27:13 – Caroline Mole explains what it was like to have a long COVID flare up and her struggles with fatigue.
    29:08 – Greg Scott on talking therapies and managing the mental health aspects of long COVID and other conditions.
    32:06 – Health and Wellbeing Coach Fatema Hafizji on empowering people with long-term conditions to achieve their goals.
    35:54 – Personal Trainer Kerry Doe explains how she supports people to return to exercise following COVID.
    40:38 – Saira Mirza on the role of the physiotherapist in managing long COVID and other conditions and the importance of breathing techniques.

    Contributors:

    Dr Deepak Ravindran, Clinical Lead for Pain Medicine and Clinical Lead for the Berkshire LongCOVID Integrated Service at Royal Berkshire HospitalDr Rupa Joshi, Managing Partner at Woodley Centre SurgeryCaroline Mole, who lives with long COVID and is a participant in the long COVID group consultation programme.Greg Scott, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist for ‘Talking Therapies‘ a psychological service of the Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.Fetama Hafizji, Health and Wellbeing Coach for the Wokingham North Primary Care NetworkKerry Doe, a personal trainer who works with long COVID patients.Saira Mirza, Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner for long COVID and pain managementSpecial Thanks:

    This edition of Airing Pain has been funded by grants from the James Weir Foundation, the Hospital Saturday Fund and the Erskine Cunningham Hill Trust.

    More Information:

    Pain Matters 78: managing pain during the coronavirus pandemicAiring Pain 122: the many faces of research and fibromyalgiaLong term effects of coronavirus (long COVID)Deepak Ravindran Long COVID playlist – Youtube

  • How do you identify illness in young children and coping as a family.

    This Airing Pain was recorded at the Scottish Network for Arthritis in Children SNAC’s 2022 Family Weekend at Crieff Hydro, which brings together families recently affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis and some of the country’s leading paediatric rheumatology experts.

    Issues covered in this programme include:

    juvenile idiopathic arthritis, autoimmune disease, coping as a family, rheumatology, paediatrics, support networks, identifying illness in young children, movement and exercise

    Time Stamps:

    minutes: seconds

    00:00 - introduction to SNAC's family weekend by Sharon Douglas
    04:03 - introduction to juvenile idiopathic arthritis by Julie Duncan
    07:13 - how does juvenile idiopathic arthritis present?
    09:00 - what is SNAC and personal stories from a parent.
    12:56 - parent of a child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis shares how they first spotted it.
    14:42 - Vanessa Raimondo discusses medication options for juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
    18:44 - parents & children share their stories.
    21:33 - Vanessa Raimondo discusses medication side effects.
    23:57 - Alison Ross discusses coping mechanisms for juvenile idiopathic arthritis & more on medications and treatments.
    30:23 - parent of a child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis on her daughter's journey with JIA, medications and diagnosis.
    31:15 - coping as a parent of a child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
    31: 54 - coping with juvenile idiopathic arthritis as a family
    34: 29 - parents of a child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis share their family's story.
    39:10 - how does juvenile idiopathic arthritis make the children who suffer from it feel?
    41: 18 - family from Shetland share their story of having a child with JIA in a remote area.
    43:27 - Jo Walsh tells us about SPARN (Scottish Paediatric & Adolescent Rheumatology Network) and how they support families with JIA.
    47:00 - how to handle the transition from children's health services to young adult services.
    48:06 - Vanessa Raimondo tells us about what we can do (aside from medications) to manage JIA.
    49:27 - young person shares their experience of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and still enjoying sports, exercise and success growing older with JIA.
    54:20 - Sharon Douglas, chairperson and co-founder of SNAC, conclusion and raising awareness about JIA.

    Special Thanks:

    This programme exists due to funding from Trefoil House Organisational Grants, the New Park Educational Trust and WCH Trust for Children.

    Contributors:

    Parents (and their children) of 23 children between the ages of 5 and 14 who have juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Sharon Douglas - SNAC (Scottish Network for Arthritis in Children) chairperson & co-founder. Julie Duncan – General Paediatrician NHS Lothian District General Rheumatology Clinic. Vanessa Raimondo - Rheumatology Nurse based in Edinburgh. Alison Ross – Children’s Arthritis Nurse working in Aberdeen. Jo Walsh – Paediactric Rheumatologist based in Glasgow, working as part of SPARN (Scottish Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology Network). More Information:

    SNAC - Supporting Children & Families with JIAVersus ArthritisSPARN - Scottish Paediatric & Adolescent Rheumatology NetworkAiring Pain 106 - Pain Education for Doctors, Patients and ParentsAiring Pain 99 - Transition Services for Adolescents with Chronic PainAiring Pain 78 - Putting Children's Pain in the PictureAiring Pain 59 - Pain in the Family: Young Adults 1 of 2Airing Pain 60 - Pain in the Family: Young Adults 2 of 2

  • What causes different types of face pain and what treatment is available?

    In this episode of Airing Pain we cover facial pain in its many forms, what treatments are available and how to cope better with your pain.

    Funded by The Hospital Saturday Fund.
    In collaboration with UCLH Royal National ENT & Eastman Dental Hospitals.
    The way our face feels and how we move it is a massive part of our identity. Feeling pain in the face, or not being able to use your face the way you want to, is not only a physical burden on the person suffering, but a heavy psychological load to cope with as well.

    Issues covered in this programme include:
    facial pain, unnecessary dental treatments, tooth ache, face and identity, management techniques, trigeminal neuralgia, neuropathic pain, carbamazepine, neurosurgery, pain management programmes, psychology and pain, temporomandibular disorder, burning mouth syndrome, persistent idiopathic facial pain, central sensitisation syndrome, physiotherapy, acceptance & commitment therapy

    Time Stamps:

    01: 54 - Trigeminal neuralgia (TN): what is it and what does it feel like? Dr Joanna Zakrzewska explains.
    06:27 - Dr Zakrzewska discusses what treatments are available for TN, including carbamazepine.
    10:37 - How can neurosurgery help treat TN?
    18:11 - Psychology Pain Management Programmes (PMPs) for sufferers of TN.
    19:11 - Susie Holder on the psychological impact of face pain.
    21:36 - Dr Roddy McMillan discusses temporomandibular disorder (TMD) as a source of face pain.
    22:29 - Burning mouth syndrome and other types of face pain.
    25:50 - Treatments available for other types of face pain.
    28:30 - TMD and how it is different from other types of face pain (usually neuropathic in origin).
    30:00 - What is central sensitisation syndrome?
    32:21 - Pain management for chronic pain sufferers.
    36:05 - Susie Holder explains what acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is.
    44:07 - Obstacles to living well with pain, including the coronavirus pandemic.

    Contributors:

    Dr Joanna Zakrzewska, consultant in oral medicine specialising in trigeminal neuralgia at the Department or Oral Medicine and Facial Pain at the UCLH NHS Foundation Trust.Susie Holder, clinical psychologist on the facial pain team at the Royal ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals, UCLH NHS Foundation Trust.Dr Roddy McMillan, consultant in oral medicine and facial pain at the Royal ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals, UCLH NHS Foundation Trust.
    More Information:

    Pain Matters magazine issue 77: face the painAiring Pain 12: Trigeminal Neuralgia, Pelvic Pain & CannabisAiring Pain 115: Neuropathic pain 1 of 2, targeted Pain Management ProgrammesAiring Pain 116: Neuropathic pain 2 of 2, latest researchMy live well with painTrigeminal Neuralgia Association UK

  • Scotland’s Pain Management Programmes (PMPs) and what support is available after graduating.

    This edition of Airing Pain has been funded by a grant from the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland Self Management Fund administered on behalf of the Scottish Government.

    What do you know about Pain Management Programmes (PMPs)? Do you know how they function? About the positive outcomes they have? Do you know if there are any PMPs near you?

    In this episode of Airing Pain we learn about PMPs and the communities and support networks that are being formed as a result.

    In collaboration with Health Unlocked and Alliance Health and Social Care Scotland, Pain Concern have created a small number of online forums designed for people who have graduated a PMP to stay connected and continue to support one another once the programme has ended. These forums are open only to PMP graduates. Not only can graduates communicate with one another on our Health Unlocked forums, they can also communicate with the healthcare professionals who delivered their PMP.

    For Pain Concern this is a preliminary experiment to determine whether forums like these are beneficial, and if we should create more!

    Paul Evans speaks to Health Unlocked moderator and PMP graduate Louise Cromie about all things Pain Management Programmes, how support networks can be pivotal in someone’s pain journey and, of course, about our Health Unlocked forums.

    Issues covered in this programme include: pain management programmes, self-management, supporting one another in pain, pain community, pain education, the spoon theory, managing pain in a crisis, fatigue, burnout

    Time Stamps:

    00:21 – Louise Cromie & Paul Evans discuss the origins of the Health Unlocked forums.
    01:13 – Louise Cromie shares her own journey with chronic pain.
    03:37 – When doctors tell you ‘there’s nothing we can do’ & the vital role specialist pain teams can play.
    06:05 – Being believed & having your pain experience validated.
    08:36 – A biopsychosocial approach to pain & how to break the cycle of doing too much on good days, then paying for it after.
    11:02 – How to manage your pain in unforeseen circumstances.
    12:44 – How do Pain Management Programmes (PMPs) help people in pain.
    14:53 – The mask we wear when we’re in pain & learning how to lower it.
    20:43 – Helping those around you learn about pain & how to be supportive.
    22:50 – How to continue coping once a Pain Management Programme ends.
    25:14 – How did Pain Concern get involved in supporting PMP graduates?
    27:08 – Louise Cromie on becoming a Health Unlocked forum moderator.

    Contributors:

    Louise Cromie, current Moderator for the Health Unlocked Forum & graduate of a Pain Management Programme (PMP).More information:

    Scottish National Residential Pain Management ProgrammeGreater Glasgow & Clyde Pain Management Programme‘The Spoon Theory’ & other self-help resources from Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustPain Concern Health UnlockedPain Management Programmes NHS

  • Determining what Shingles really is and why vaccine uptake is so low?

    This edition of Airing Pain has been funded by a grant from The RS Macdonald Charitable Trust and The Stafford Trust


    What exactly is Shingles? We often hear it thrown into conversation alongside a virus many of us have already had: Chickenpox. So how are the two linked? Why is one more associated with young people and the other with older people? The answer is they are both infections caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The vast majority of us had the Chickenpox virus when we were children, with many parents even intentionally exposing their children to the virus. Shingles, on the other hand, occurs after someone has already had Chickenpox when the virus (which remains in the body) is reactivated.

    One of the main worries people have about having Shingles is the potential to develop Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN). This is defined as persistent pain 3 months after the initial rash developed. Unfortunately PHN is a chronic condition which causes burning neuropathic pain. This condition is caused by the damage the virus inflicted during its reactivation.

    Paul Evans speaks to health professionals and somebody with lived experience of Shingles & PHN in order to illuminate the intricacies of the varicella-zoster virus, how it works and how it affects us throughout our lives.

    Time Stamps

    1:55 - Dr Michael Serpell speaks: What is Shingles and how does it affect us?
    6:15 - Dr Robert Johnson speaks: What is Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN)?
    11:35 - Jan Fisher, who has lived with PHN for 8 years, speaks about her experience.
    14:55 - Marian Nicholson from the Shingles Support Society speaks: Shingles awareness, treatment & what to do if you think you have Shingles?
    16:55 - Dr Robert Johnson speaks about treatment for Shingles & PHN.
    20:05 - Jan Fisher elaborates on her own experience of medication for PHN.
    21:25 - Dr Michael Serpell on what you can expect from PHN treatment & pain management techniques.
    26:10 - Dr Robert Johnson discusses the Shingles vaccination.
    26: 45- Marian Nicholson speaks about the rollout of the Shingles vaccination and who is eligible.
    27:45 - Dr Robert speaks about the low uptake of the vaccine and why it's important to get it.
    33:11 - Dr Robert Johnson on amitriptyline and studies on preventing PHN.
    35:15 - Final words from Jan Fisher on why you should get the Shingles vaccine.

    Issues covered in this programme include: Shingles, Chickenpox, varicella-zoster virus, neuropathic pain, Post Herpetic Neuralgia, pain management, virus reactivation, insomnia, vaccination, vaccine uptake, side effects, amitriptyline, Gabapentinoids, depression.

    Contributors:

    Dr Michael Serpell, Consultant in Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine at Stobhill Hospital Glasgow.Marian Nicholson, Director of the Herpes Viruses Association & Shingles Support Society.Dr Robert Johnson, Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol.Jan Fisher, had the Shingles virus & lives with Post Herpetic Neuralgia.More information:

    Shingles Support SocietyAiring Pain 46: Post-Herpetic Neuralgia and MigraineAiring Pain 115: Neuropathic Pain 1Airing Pain 116: Neuropathic Pain 2Pain Concern’s leaflet on Neuropathic PainHerpes Viruses AssociationNHS Guidance for ShinglesBritish Pain SocietyIASP Global Year Against Neuropathic Pain 2014-15

  • Looking into one of the most globally prevalent types of pain, back pain, and exploring different cultural attitudes towards pain.

    This edition of Airing Pain was created in association with the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) and has been funded by the Plum Trust.

    Back pain is one of the most common types of pain that people report. It can arise due to any number of causative factors and can occur in any part of the back. Lower back pain and Sciatica are particularly common and affect approximately 577 million people globally.

    In this episode of Airing Pain we have collaborated with the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) who are dedicating their global year 2021 to back pain. 2021 Global Year About Back Pain - IASP (iasp-pain.org)
    We also dedicate a portion of the episode to useful pain management advice that will benefit anybody living with pain, including those with back pain.

    Time Stamps2:00 – Pain Patient Advocate Mary Wing from GAPPA speaks: what is GAPPA?5:25 – IASP Global Year about Back Pain.6:20 – Physiotherapist Otieno Martin Ong'wen speaks: global attitudes towards pain and therapeutic exercise.14:00 - Clinical Research Project Assistant Vina Mohabir speaks: Living with long-term pain and attending pain clinics and the ‘3 P Method’.19:31 – Otieno Martin Ong’wen speaks: on fostering patient empowerment.22:05 – Vina Mohabir speaks: on communicating your pain and masking pain.23: 55 – Mary Wing speaks: on her experience with pain, pain psychology and pain management courses.26:46 - Otieno Martin Ong’wen speaks: on how different cultural approaches impact psychological therapies for the treatment of pain and therapeutic exercise.39:56 – Final words from Vina Mohabir.
    Issues covered in this programme include: pain from a global perspective, pain in developing countries, Global Alliance of Partners for Pain Advocacy (GAPPA), chronic condition management, back pain, IASP Global Year about Back Pain, self-management approaches, physiotherapy, therapeutic exercise, pain in rural areas, physical strategies, pharmaceutical strategies, psychological strategies, the ‘3 P Method’, masking pain, pain psychology.

    Contributors:

    Mary Wing, Pain Patient Advocate, Global Alliance of Partners for Pain Advocacy (GAPPA), Australia.Otieno Martin Ong’wen, Orthopedic Manual Therapist, Movement Dysfunction Specialist, Physiotherapist, Afyafrica Orthopedic Services, Nairobi.Vina Mohabir, Clinical Research Project Assistant, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.


    More information:

    IASP Global Year About Back Pain 2021
    With thanks to:

    IASP, International Association for the Study of Pain – https://www.iasp-pain.org/

  • This edition of Airing Pain has been funded by educational grants from The R. S. Macdonald Charitable Trust and The Stafford Trust.

    Do you, someone you care for or perhaps your patients, suffer from persistent burning or gnawing pain? Many don’t know that often, neuropathic pain presents as a burning sensation. Persistent pain can impact all areas of our lives. It can stop us from sleeping, working and pursuing the hobbies we enjoy. Unfortunately, sometimes the healthcare professionals we see about our pain are unaware of the multitude of pain management techniques we can adopt to try and minimise the impact pain has on our lives. Different types of pain are widely misunderstood and many of us don't know much about the conditions that can cause them.

    What do you think of when you think of Parkinson's Disease? Many would say a tremor or shaking limbs, but persistent pain can be one of the most debilitating symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. The fastest growing neurological condition in the world is poorly understood and pain is a major unmet need in those who live with it.

    Ground-breaking studies funded by the charity Parkinson's UK are shedding new light on the relationship between Parkinson's pain and neuropathic pain. Persistent pain that affects people who have Parkinson's Disease is widely misunderstood and something that many of us are entirely in the dark about. If you suffer with Parkinson's, the chances are you will be all too familiar with the burning, gnawing pain associated with the disease.

    In this programme Paul Evans speaks to Kirsty Bannister, a doctor of neuroscience at Kings College London, who discusses the role that 'pain-blocking nerve pathways' and psychological status play for those who experience chronic pain. We also hear from former primary school teacher Janet Kerr, who shares with us her own experience of dealing with Parkinson's Pain and how she manages it with things like yoga and distraction techniques such as massage.

    Contributors:

    Carol Vennard, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Parkinson's Disease Nurse Specialist, NHS Greater Glasgow and ClydeJanet Kerr, ex-primary school teacher who lives with Parkinson’s DiseaseKirsty Bannister, Senior Lecturer and Principal Investigator at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College London.
    More information:

    Parkinson’s UK Airing Pain 115: Neuropathic Pain 1Airing Pain 116: Neuropathic Pain 2 Pain Concern’s leaflet on Neuropathic Pain Institute of Neurological Sciences, Neurology in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Senior Lecturer and Principal Investigator Kirsty Bannister’s key publications Finding a Parkinson’s Nurse - https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/parkinsons-nursesIASP Global Year Against Neuropathic Pain 2014-15 Stress Management Society, Stress Awareness Month April 2021.
    With thanks to:

    IASP, International Association for the Study of Pain – https://www.iasp-pain.org/The British Pain Society, An alliance of professionals advancing the understanding and management of pain for the benefit of patients – https://www.britishpainsociety.org/.

  • This edition has been funded by the Women’s Fund for Scotland.

    The Coronavirus pandemic has been long and isolating for everyone, but particularly for those who experience abuse. The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have seen an increase in the level and severity of domestic abuse.

    In this episode of Airing Pain, our host Paul Evans discusses the isolating effects of Covid-19, trauma and how this can contribute to the development of debilitating chronic illnesses such as Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

    An article by author and domestic abuse survivor Kath Twigg will accompany this extended episode of Airing Pain. You can read all the related articles from related to this programme in this issue of Pain Press, our free online supplement.

    Contributors:

    Kath Twigg, Senior Lecturer in social work, trainer, mentor, writer, and domestic abuse survivorDr Lene Forrester, Clinical Psychologist at Albyn Hospital, AberdeenDr Joht Singh Chandan, Academic Clinical Lecturer at the Murray Learning Centre, University of BirminghamDr Kate Gillan, Clinical Psychologist for NHS Greater Glasgow and ClydeProfessor. Caroline Bradbury-Jones, head of Gender-Based Violence and Health at the University of Birmingham.More Information:

    Zero Tolerance - www.zerotolerance.org.uk NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, How can the Pain Management Service help you? (PDF) - https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/media/259486/leaflet-how-can-the-glasgow-pain-service-help-you.pdfScottish Government, Important advice for people with chronic pain (PDF) -https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/advice-and-guidance/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-tailored-advice-for-those-who-live-with-specific-medical-conditions/documents/chronic-pain/chronic-pain/govscot%3Adocument/Patient%2BInformation%2BLeaflet%2B-%2Bfor%2Bpeople%2Bwith%2Bchronic%2Bpain%2B-non-shielding%2B061120.pdfNHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Pain Services - https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/your-health/health-services/chronic-pain/information-and-resources-for-patients/Heads Up - http://www.headsup.scot/Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk/Mind, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PDF) - https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/2950/ptsd-2018.pdfMind, Post-traumatic stress disorder - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/complex-ptsd/ Scottish Women’s Aid - https://womensaid.scot/Refuge - https://www.refuge.org.uk/Refuge, Support for men - https://www.refuge.org.uk/get-help-now/help-for-men/Scottish Women’s Rights Centre - https://www.scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk/.

  • This edition has been supported with a grant from Kyowa Kirin donated for this purpose.

    While opioids are seen as an effective treatment method for acute pain, there is an increasing debate on the efficacy of opioids when treating chronic pain conditions. One of the most common side effects of long-term opioid usage is constipation. Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome are more common in people who are living with chronic pain conditions, so better understanding of the connection between opioids and constipation is key for medical professionals currently working with chronic pain patients.

    Following on from Airing Pain 123, this edition sees Paul Evans speaks to Dr Maria Eugenicos, who is a gastroenterologist at the University of Edinburgh. Dr Eugenicos starts by outlining the different conditions that are treated at her gastro-intestinal clinic and how these conditions can present. Dr Eugenicos then discusses the prevalence of opioid-induced constipation in clinical patients and how shifting treatment methods and properly educating patients on their conditions can help to improve their standard of living.

    Contributors:

    Dr Maria Eugenicos, Senior Lecturer/Gastroenterologist at the Western General Hospital Gastroenterology Department, University of EdinburghDr Cathy Stannard, Consultant in Pain Medicine and Pain Transformation Programme Clinical Lead for NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group. More information:

    Airing Pain 123 – painconcern.org.uk/airing-pain-123-opioids-and-chronic-pain/The IBS network – theibsnetwork.orgBritish Pain Society – britishpainsociety.orgIASP Global Year for the Prevention of Pain 2020 – iasp-pain.org/GlobalYear.With thanks to:

    Maggie’s Centre, a resource network designed to help cancer patients and their families – maggies.org.

  • This edition has been supported by a grant from The Champ Trust and Foundation Scotland.

    According to the most recent Scottish Diabetes Survey in 2018, there are an estimated 304,000 people living with a diagnosis of diabetes in Scotland, around 5% of the population. A long-term effect of diabetes can be the development of diabetic neuropathy. This edition of Airing Pain focuses on neuropathic pain in people with diabetes, and how the X-PERT diabetes courses helps people to deal with the complications that arise when living with diabetes.

    First up, Paul Evans speaks to David Bennett, Professor of Neurology at the University of Oxford, who outlines the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes and how the initial treatment plan differs between the types. Professor Bennett then goes on to describe how neuropathy develops in people living with diabetes and how neuropathic pain manifests.

    Paul then talks with Steve Sims, who lives with diabetic neuropathy as a result of type 2 diabetes. Paul and Steve discuss how they have adjusted their diets to deal with type 2 diabetes and how the X-PERT diabetes course has helped them to adjust to living with diabetes.

    Contributors:

    Professor Dave Bennett, Professor of Neurology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of OxfordSteve Sims, Secretary, Cardiff Diabetes Group. More information:

    The X-PERT diabetes courses – diabetes.co.uk/education/x-pert.htmlBritish Pain Society – britishpainsociety.org Pain Concern leaflet on Neuropathic Pain – painconcern.org.uk/neuropathic-pain Pain Concern leaflet on Diet and Pain – painconcern.org.uk/diet-and-pain/IASP Global Year for the Prevention of Pain 2020 – iasp-pain.org/GlobalYear.With thanks to:

    The British Pain Society (BPS), who facilitated the interviews at their Annual Scientific Meeting in 2019 - britishpainsociety.orgThe International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) iasp-pain.orgDiabetes UK, a leading UK charity that involves sharing knowledge on diabetes - www.diabetes.org.uk/.

  • This edition has been supported by a grant from Kyowa Kirin.

    The opioid crisis reached its peak in the United States in 2017, where addiction and overprescription have led to 218,000 deaths from prescription overdoses between the years of 1999 and 2017. The side effects of opioids can affect the day-to-day activities of people managing long-term or chronic pain, yet society as a whole has yet to fully evaluate the relationship between opioids and addiction.

    In this edition of Airing Pain, producer Paul Evans talks to two leading pain specialists. First off, Paul Evans meets with Dr Srinivasa Raja, who discusses opioids effects on the body’s opioid receptors and how the human body processes pain. Dr Cathy Stannard then talks about the increase of opioid prescriptions in the UK and how the opioid crisis in the United Kingdom developed.

    In the second half of the programme, Paul speaks with Louise Trewern, a chronic pain patient and patient advocate, about opioids’ detrimental effect on her quality of life and how she was able to transition towards more effective methods of chronic pain management.

    Finally, Paul sits down with Dr Jim Huddy, a GP in Cornwall, who explains how the medical community is re-evaluating the relationship between opioids and chronic pain.

    Contributors:

    Dr Srinivasa Raja, Professor of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine and Neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Maryland, USA Dr Cathy Stannard, Consultant in Pain Medicine and Pain Transformation Programme Clinical Lead for NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning GroupLouise Trewern, Vice Chair of the Patient Voice Committee at the British Pain SocietyDr Jim Huddy, Cornwall GP and Clinical Lead for Chronic Pain at NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group.More information:

    British Pain Society – britishpainsociety.org Opioid prescribing for chronic pain guidance – england.nhs.uk/south/info-professional/safe-use-of-controlled-drugs/opioidsFaculty of Pain Medicine’s opioids resources – fpm.ac.uk/opioids-aware.With thanks to:

    The British Pain Society (BPS), who facilitated the interviews at their Annual Scientific Meeting in 2019 - britishpainsociety.orgThe International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) iasp-pain.org.