Chronic Pain Compensation Claims

There’s no universal definition of chronic pain syndrome, but, generally speaking, chronic pain is distinguished as pain which has persisted over 12 weeks beyond what a regular healing period could generally be expected to last.

Chronic pain syndrome is an umbrella term used to capture long-term pain which arises from a variety of sources, being caused by both known and unknown triggers.

In some cases, the pain can be attributed to known causes, such as nerve pain related to diabetes or the musculoskeletal pain associated with osteoarthritis.The pain may be related to something which was understandable at first, such as post-operative pain, but has now extended beyond what would normally be expected, with no obvious cause creating the persistent discomfort.

There’s also pain which arises out of the blue, and presents with pain as the primary symptom, rather than tagging along as a complication of another condition. These pain syndromes are complex and extremely difficult to treat, with medical science not yet properly equipped to either diagnose or manage the conditions effectively.

Pain is exhausting to deal with and managing it on a long-term basis is hard for an individual to have to face. Fatigue, emotional distress and depression therefore often accompany chronic pain disorder, as the person battles to constantly deal with their symptoms.

DISCLAIMER: The above information should not be used to substitute for medical advice and is provided for the purposes of guidance only. If you are suffering from any of the symptoms or conditions described, medical attention from a qualified professional should be sought immediately.

Pain can be an alarming and distressing symptom, overwhelming daily life and disrupting an individual’s ability to function on even the most basic level. Chronic pain syndrome sufferers are often forced to deal with these symptoms on a daily basis, and with no immediate resolution in sight, it can be simply exhausting. Some of the causes of chronic pain syndrome include:

• Injury – A common trigger of chronic pain disorder is an injury, for example caused by a road accident or a fall. However, long after the initial physical damage has healed, the pain lingers on with no obvious cause. In some circumstances, the onset of chronic pain syndrome does not begin until sometime after the injury has occurred which can prove confusing for the patient and medical professionals alike.
• Diagnosed conditions – There’s a myriad of conditions which can cause chronic pain, such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and lupus, and it’s also possible to suffer persisting pain following surgery too.
• No identifiable trigger – There are a number of conditions where there’s no obvious trigger or cause, and pain itself is the primary presenting symptom (rather than accompanying restricted movement as in back pain, for example).

Pain is an invisible illness and in many cases patients with this kind of chronic pain face accusations of malingering, either spoken or unspoken, and a lack of understanding from their peers, friends, family and sometimes even their doctors.

At Brian Barr, we understand chronic pain and we work with specialist medical professionals whose understanding of chronic pain is second to none. This means we can build a case for you to ensure that we can prove your condition and that it was due to an accident that wasn’t your fault, and ultimately we will work hard to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Some of the conditions which give rise to chronic pain include but aren’t limited to fibromyalgia, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, headaches, Post Whiplash Injury Syndrome and Myofascial Pain Syndrome.

Chronic pain is not an imaginary condition. Dealing with any kind of pain on a chronic basis is simply exhausting; both physically and emotionally so a number of individuals go on to develop related psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Living with chronic pain syndrome can be exhausting and completely dominate each and every day so managing it effectively is a priority. The treatment prescribed for chronic pain will partly depend on the underlying cause, and the individual’s doctor’s own preferred regime, but tend to include:

• Pain relieving medication – analgesia, or painkillers as they are often referred to, are often the first line of attack in treating chronic pain syndrome but they may only have a limited effect.

• NSAIDs – Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs – are a common type of painkiller, some of which can be purchased over the counter, such as Ibuprofen. These work in the body by blocking the effects of a particular group of enzymes which contribute to the production of both pain and inflammation. This is why NSAIDs can help not just with the management of pain, but also the reduction of inflammation too.

• Paracetamol is a surprisingly powerful drug when taken on a regular basis and is believed to work by blocking another enzyme in the central nervous system. It can help to lower high temperatures but has no effect on inflammation.

• Opioids are an extremely powerful type of medication and work by binding to receptors and decreasing a body’s reaction to pain and increasing tolerance levels. Codeine and Tramadol are two types of opioid painkiller often used.

• Other drugs – depending on the cause of pain, the doctor may opt to try a different type of drug, other than traditional analgesia to try and relieve the pain. For example anticonvulsants are frequently used, with drugs such as gabapentin and carbamazepine prescribed with a reasonable degree of success. Triptans can be used, particularly for chronic pain disorder caused by cluster headaches or migraines, and work by changing the actions of serotonin in the brain which can prevent the release of other pain-causing chemicals in the body.

• Antidepressants – another type of common treatment is antidepressants, particularly tricyclics such as Amitriptyline. These work on the neural transmitters and prevent pain messages being sent, by stopping the reabsorption of key chemicals in the nervous system.

• Alternative therapies – acupuncture for example can be used to manage Chronic Pain. Yoga, breathing techniques and meditation can all be effective too.

• Low impact exercise can help with chronic pain, as the movement can trigger the release of feel-good endorphins such as dopamine, which can result in improved tolerance for pain. The exercise can also help to alleviate stiffness and pain caused by a lack of movement in the joints. Cycling, swimming and walking are all good ways to start.