Eight in 10 Brits with regular pain issues struggle with day-to-day living

EIGHT in 10 Brits with regular pain issues are struggling with day-to-day living, according to research.

A study of 2,000 adults found physical ailments mean 40 per cent of sufferers can’t remember the last full night’s sleep they had.

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The same proportion can’t comfortably exercise, and 30 per cent struggle with household chores, while 27 per cent have trouble getting up and down stairs.

Even getting dressed proves to be a near impossible task for 15 per cent, while 19 per cent can’t tackle DIY jobs.

However, 37 per cent of all adults polled have struggled to get appointments from their GP and 23 per cent of all patients hoping to see a pain specialist have been waiting longer than six months.

As a result, one in 20 have felt so desperate that they resorted to illicitly sourced substances to help manage pain.

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The research was commissioned by as part of its 'Painful Conversations' campaign, which aims to empower patients to take back control of their health and explore alternative therapies when other treatments have failed.

Dr Emeka Okorocha said: “It’s disheartening to see some people resorting to extreme measures in an attempt to alleviate their suffering, sometimes with minimal relief.

“When conventional treatments don’t work, it’s possible to explore alternative therapies, but to do so with the input from trained medical professionals.

“Embracing non-traditional approaches can offer some hope for those in desperate need, where conventional methods might have fallen short.”

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Of the 46 per cent who are regularly prescribed medicine to help manage their pain or physical condition, 45 per cent say it hasn’t helped, and six per cent say it has worsened despite being prescribed medication.

Over two-fifths (43 per cent) have taken more medication than recommended to manage their pain in the past 12 months.

Almost a fifth (16 per cent) report they have resorted to this often or very often, while 13 per cent have taken medication that was prescribed to someone else.

It also emerged, from the survey conducted via OnePoll, 56 per cent of adults in pain are still searching for a treatment that truly works, with 16 per cent reducing their working hours, and 15 per cent stopping working altogether.

ILLICIT MEASURES

Dr Simon Erridge, director of research at Curaleaf Clinic, added: “Being in constant pain is something that millions have to deal with, and unless it’s part of your life, it’s hard to imagine what a toll it takes not only physically, but mentally as well.

“As a doctor I have heard this from patients first-hand, but ultimately there are limited options available for patients with chronic pain."

This research builds on a 2022 study commissioned by the company, which found one in 10 patients with chronic pain are turning to illicit cannabis to treat it.

However, just 52 per cent know it is legally available for medical use with a prescription.

One of which is Jenn Sharp, 48, from North Greenwich in London, who has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, and functional neurological disorder – causing her to endure excruciating physical and mental pain over the years.

She had been prescribed numerous over-the-counter opioids and painkillers – but none of the medications proved to be effective and, in many instances, led to her developing stomach issues to the point she was forced to stop taking them.

For many years, Jenn was stuck in a cycle of recurring visits to her doctors to continue being prescribed medication and opioids that proved ineffective.

To avoid NHS waiting lists Jenn was forced to take out private health insurance and see private doctors which ended up costing her a substantial amount of money.

In 2022, Jenn began using medical cannabis to alleviate physical symptoms of her osteoarthritis.

She said: “While I still live with the physical pain of my conditions, I’ve found a significant difference between when I use medical cannabis compared to when I don’t with the pain diminishing significantly.

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“It has become an important part of my strategy to cope with pain, working together with my existing medication.

“Without medical cannabis I still find walking very painful, but when I am able to use it, I am able to get some relief.”