Jess shares her personal perspective on what it is like to gaslit from doctors while she seeks support for her pain.

In this article advocate Kevin looks at the research and how opioid deprescribing is being impacted by medical gaslighting.

Cassie knows firsthand what it is like to live with multiple, persistent pain conditions. Constantly hearing that “...you don’t look sick,” or “...you don’t look like you’re in pain,” does not help.

This story may contain triggers for some as it mentions suicide. If you or anyone you know is at risk, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for more support.

Kevin is a strong advocate for those living with persistent pain. A dedicated volunteer, he is fighting to change the way society views opioid use within the persistent pain community.

Anyone living with persistent pain knows that anxiety can trigger a pain flare. The thought of facing up to fears is enough to trigger an emotional or physical response, and when dealing with pain, it’s usually both. So how do we reframe this fear to avoid adding to our pain levels? Kate shares her thoughts on coping with fear during a flare with our community.

Sleeping with pain is a challenge - and one many within our community faces frequently. Bethany shares the harsh reality of what it means to live with persistent pain during the witching hours, while offering tips and strategies she hopes you might find useful.

Chloe reflects on her time as a former athlete, in the earlier days before Endometriosis was as commonly known.

Chronic pain is an invisible condition, so it’s impossible for others to understand just how bad it can be. Kathryn knows this more than most. After nearly 30 years of excruciating chronic pain, she shares her ongoing struggle with finding relief within a healthcare system that does not believe her.

This week we bring you Nadine’s story, and how her traumatic stay in hospital and the gaslighting she experienced almost cost Nadine her life. I encourage you to think about who is in your support group, and who you can count on in the moments needing it most.

This blog introduces one of our valuable Pain Support Group facilitators, Debbie. As a former athlete AND race car driver she has lived quite an exciting life, despite her battles with persistent pain. Debbie shares her story with our community in the hope of inspiring tenacity, that we may be more than our diagnosis.

This week we asked the community what works for you, when it comes to meditation and mindfulness. Rewiring the brain, it is undoubtedly easier said than done. However, we do live in the era of technological advancements, so sitting besides running water has been replaced with downloading an app, a simple click of the button really.

In April our CEO, Renee Rankin, attended the 42nd Annual Scientific Meeting in beautiful Hobart, hosted by the Australian Pain Society. A huge thank you to Luke Bongiorno, Director of the NOI Group, for sponsoring her attendance.

Medication is an essential tool in many of our member’s toolboxes, so this is a topic we feel is important for our community. For Neen, the changes to opioid prescriptions have shortened the amount of hours she is able to function - despite knowing an increase in medication would allow for more quality of life. “Living with severe, daily pain is a terrible thing. Living with severe, daily pain when you know there is a safe, effective treatment available but you are NOT allowed to have it, is pure torture.”

This week we bring to you an opinion piece by one of our members, Kevin. He shares his passionate views on deprescribing, the current and previous research into this shift hoping to promote change for those facing opioid challenges.

…What better way to describe pain then through a poem? Chezie has blessed our community with her talent, sharing perspective on how it feels to live in pain.

“My original 'Open Letter' was created, I think, sometime in 1995. Lots of people have adapted this letter to suit different illnesses and disabilities and I love that - I'm perfectly happy for people to adapt it and publish it and repost it, whatever is useful to you is great.” - by Ricky Buchanan

This is an adaption of that letter, and also that of the work created by Bek Oberin. This letter speaks for those suffering in pain, who may not yet have found their voice.

I am a firm believer in prioritising one’s own mental health – and in order to do that there needs to be a firm foundation of boundaries set in place. Just because someone does not drop everything to immediately come to your rescue does not mean the love is lacking. Yet we so easily fall into the trap of assuming their unavailability translates to rejection or abandonment.

Boundaries. May we learn to recognise them and reflect on them. Better still, lets implement them!