Living with pain can be challenging. Finding the best possible management can also be challenging – because everyone experiences pain in a unique way. Hear more about the experiences of people living with pain and of healthcare professionals involved in pain management in the video series, Asking painful questions.
The 'Asking painful questions' video series was developed with funding from the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Australian Government Department of Health.
1. Living with chronic non-cancer pain
Australians talk about their pain experience and the impact that pain has had on their lives.
2. Individual approaches to pain management
Australians talk about their experiences with a range of different pain management options including those that help them.
3. Experience with opioids and chronic non-cancer pain
Australians talk about taking opioids for pain, effects of opioids and stopping or tapering them.
4. Accessing healthcare and support resources
Australians talk about their experiences with seeking help for pain, communicating with health professionals and being involved in support groups.
5. Non-opioid options for chronic non-cancer pain
Health professionals talk about who can help people living with pain and a team approach to management.
6. Opioids and chronic non-cancer pain
Health professionals talk about the role of opioids in chronic pain, potential harms and dependence, how to stop or taper and recent changes to access and supply.
7. Working together to help manage chronic pain
Health professionals talk about non-opioid options for pain and research into new treatments
These videos have been developed in collaboration with Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) and National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).
Medicines information and support
- For medicines information, call Medicines Line (1300 MEDICINE) / 1300 633 424.
- If you have concerns about an overdose or suspected poisoning, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 any time. For general emergencies call 000. Or if you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
- For medicines updates from the Aboriginal Health Sector, go to naccho.org.au/medicines-and-pharmacy
- Alcohol and Drug Foundation provides information, a ‘help & support’ directory of services and Information line 1300 858584.
- Scriptwise provides information about prescription opioids.
- For more information on your brand of medicine, see the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) available on the NPS MedicineWise Medicine Finder page, or your doctor.
NPS MedicineWise also has information, education and resources on opioids and chronic non-cancer pain for health professionals
Yarning about managing pain
Two Aboriginal men living with pain, a pharmacist and a GP talk about their experiences with chronic non-cancer pain, opioids, non-medicines approaches and pain services.
This video has been developed by NPS MedicineWise and National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), in consultation with Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF).
Pain, opioids and other management options
People can experience acute and chronic pain in many different ways. Managing pain aims to improve quality of life and ability to do things and can involve self-management strategies, physical activities, psychological treatments and medicines. Opioids are medicines often prescribed to help manage some types of pain. However, they do have the potential for harm, particularly when used long-term and at higher doses. This is why opioids are not very useful for chronic pain not linked to cancer.
About other treatments for pain
General information about pain
Where else can I find information and support?
- If you need help to manage your pain better contact your GP or other health professional, or see www.healthdirect.gov.au for further telephone health services and health information.
- Painaustralia has general information and pain services and programs throughout Australia.
- Australian Pain Management Association (APMA) has general information, pain support groups and Pain Link Helpline 1300 340 357.
- ACI NSW Pain Management Network has general information, resources and tools, and pain clinics in NSW.
- Chronic Pain Australia has general information about chronic pain.