this is bbc news. the headlines: israeli police have beaten mourners carrying the coffin of the aljazeera reporter, shireen abu aqla, whose killing in the occupied west bank has caused a surge of anger. there's been widespread condemnation of police officers for their use of force. officers say stones and bottles were thrown at them. the us defence secretary is calling for an immediate ceasefire in ukraine in his first conversation with his russian counterpart since the invasion began. it's now 79 days into the war and russian troops are intensifying their attacks in parts of the south—east, which are now seeing some of the heaviest fighting. sri lanka's new prime minister has told the bbc an economic crisis is going to get worse before it gets better. the country has been rocked

by demonstrations over soaring prices, power cuts and a lack of medicine. ranil wickremesinghe was appointed in an attempt to defuse the protests. now on bbc news, stories from people across the uk who suffer from constant pain. this is the story of lives that have been changed in an instance. i have been changed in an instance.— have been changed in an instance. . ., ., ., instance. i am a shadow of the erson i instance. i am a shadow of the person i used _ instance. i am a shadow of the person i used to _ instance. i am a shadow of the person i used to be. _ instance. i am a shadow of the person i used to be. i- instance. i am a shadow of the person i used to be. i wish - instance. i am a shadow of the person i used to be. i wish i. person i used to be. i wish i could turn the clock back. this is the story — could turn the clock back. this is the story of _ could turn the clock back. this is the story of chronic - could turn the clock back. this is the story of chronic pain described as relentless, debilitating, overwhelming, thousands of people have told us how their lives open trolled by a condition that is often hidden from view. the world around me _ hidden from view. the world around me is _ hidden from view. the world around me is advancing - hidden from view. the world around me is advancing i'ml around me is advancing i'm trapped in the room, that's the killer. �* , trapped in the room, that's the killer. �*, , , killer. it's poorly understood and often — killer. it's poorly understood and often misdiagnosed. - killer. it's poorly understood and often misdiagnosed. i. killer. it's poorly understood i and often misdiagnosed. i don't think we are — and often misdiagnosed. i don't think we are equipped - and often misdiagnosed. i don't think we are equipped either i and often misdiagnosed. i don't think we are equipped either as| think we are equipped either as a society or as a healthcare

system to deal with that. there is the toll taken _ system to deal with that. there is the toll taken by _ system to deal with that. there is the toll taken by the - is the toll taken by the medication that millions rely onjust to get medication that millions rely on just to get through the day. when i'm on withdrawal i could murder, i wonder hit my horses. it's like my subconscious was screaming. you are gonna die. and _ screaming. you are gonna die. and the — screaming. you are gonna die. and the new understanding of chronic pain that has transformed how people think and talk about what they are experiencing. it’s and talk about what they are experiencing.— experiencing. it's not something _ experiencing. it's not something i - experiencing. it's not something i can - experiencing. it's not. something i can change. experiencing. it's not - something i can change. it's just something i can coexist with and for me that's kind of what acceptance is, finding a way to coexist.— way to coexist. knowing that ain, way to coexist. knowing that pain, persistent _ way to coexist. knowing that pain, persistent pain - way to coexist. knowing that pain, persistent pain is - pain, persistent pain is different and complex means you actually _ different and complex means you actually have the ability to change _ actually have the ability to change it yourself. i actually have the ability to change it yourself.- change it yourself. i am dominic— change it yourself. i am dominic hughes - change it yourself. i am dominic hughes and - change it yourself. i am| dominic hughes and i'm change it yourself. i am - dominic hughes and i'm health correspondence for bbc news and have been invested in the story of chronic pain, a condition that bbc research reveals the lives of millions of people and leaves them in a life of pain.

hello, iam hello, i am jennifer and hello, i amjennifer and i am a dental therapist from my dentist in bradford. it was everything i ever wanted, everything i ever wanted, everything i ever wanted, everything i dreamt it would be. i don't think i have been in a happier place in my life. five years ago, jen was happy and successful. today, she is living a life dominated by pain. living a life dominated by ain. ., . , ., , pain. patches, and his commentaries, - pain. patches, and his commentaries, nerve| pain. patches, and his - commentaries, nerve pain medications. it commentaries, nerve pain medications.— commentaries, nerve pain medications. it started with back pain — medications. it started with back pain but _ medications. it started with back pain but eventually - medications. it started with - back pain but eventually spread through her body. mid-december, i drove to work _ through her body. mid-december, i drove to work and _ through her body. mid-december, i drove to work and while - through her body. mid-december, i drove to work and while i - through her body. mid-december, i drove to work and while i was - i drove to work and while i was driving, the pain through my back and right leg was just something i could neverfelt. it was how i would imagine being kicked in the back by a

horse would be. that really acute, direct force.- horse would be. that really acute, direct force. and nowl walk to the — acute, direct force. and nowl walk to the shops _ acute, direct force. and nowl walk to the shops is - acute, direct force. and nowl walk to the shops is an - walk to the shops is an endurance test. i walk to the shops is an endurance test.- walk to the shops is an endurance test. i know look terrible. — endurance test. i know look terrible, feel— endurance test. i know look terrible, feel terrible, - endurance test. i know look terrible, feel terrible, but i terrible, feel terrible, but good days of having a full phase of make up want to go anywhere are long gone. i have managed to shower and have washed her so yeah, winning at life today. jen washed her so yeah, winning at life today-— life today. jen lives with chronic _ life today. jen lives with chronic pain. _ life today. jen lives with chronic pain. pain - life today. jen lives with chronic pain. pain that l chronic pain. pain that persists and may not even had obvious physical cause, she has a problem with a disc in her back but the pain is now extended beyond that. fiur extended beyond that. our bodies are _ extended beyond that. oh" bodies are designed to protect us and sometimes the system that protects us goes into overdrive. and is constantly identifying us as having a

sense of danger and there isn't, so, therefore, that pain signal continues. for isn't, so, therefore, that pain signal continues.— signal continues. forjan, the -rocess signal continues. forjan, the process has _ signal continues. forjan, the process has transformed - signal continues. forjan, the process has transformed her| process has transformed her life. i process has transformed her life. . , . process has transformed her life. ., , , process has transformed her life. ., , i, life. i was and properly still am, to some _ life. i was and properly still am, to some degree, - life. i was and properly still. am, to some degree, grieving the person that i was. because i am a shell of the person that i am a shell of the person that i used to be. my life revolves around the pain and the medical appointments and ordering prescriptions and it doesn't matter how hard i try. or how much i wish sure pray, it isn't all most likely isn't going to change. i wish i could turn the clock back. but i also know that i didn't do this. i have asked this question because is it something i did? and it isn't anything i did. millions of share jen's _

isn't anything i did. millions of share jen's experience i isn't anything i did. millions of share jen's experience ofi of sharejen's experience of living with chronic pain, a life now limited, a future filled with uncertainty. it makes me feel like i'm trapped inside my own body and fighting a war that i won't be able to win. i a war that i won't be able to win. , , , ., win. i sleep very little and i'm in constant _ win. i sleep very little and i'm in constant pain - win. i sleep very little and i'm in constant pain all. win. i sleep very little and i i'm in constant pain all day, every— i'm in constant pain all day, every day _ i'm in constant pain all day, every day. unfortunately there is no _ every day. unfortunately there is no cure _ every day. unfortunately there is no cure. it's relentless, it's— is no cure. it's relentless, it's 24/1 _ is no cure. it's relentless, it's 24/1 h_ is no cure. it's relentless, it's 24/1— is no cure. it's relentless, it's 24/7. a sword carrying nin'a it's 24/7. a sword carrying ninja that _ it's 24/7. a sword carrying ninja that just _ it's 24”. a sword carrying ninja thatjust stabs - it's 24”. a sword carrying ninja thatjust stabs into l it's 24”. a sword carrying l ninja thatjust stabs into me constantly. ninja thatjust stabs into me constantly-— ninja thatjust stabs into me constantl . ~ ., ., constantly. we carried out a uk wide survey _ constantly. we carried out a uk wide survey which _ constantly. we carried out a uk wide survey which suggests - constantly. we carried out a uk| wide survey which suggests that 26% of adults live with chronic pain. hi, stella.— pain. hi, stella. come, grab a seat. pain. hi, stella. come, grab a seat- for— pain. hi, stella. come, grab a seat. for more _ pain. hi, stella. come, grab a seat. for more than _ pain. hi, stella. come, grab a seat. for more than 20 - pain. hi, stella. come, grab a seat. for more than 20 years| seat. for more than 20 years specialist dr chris parker has developed his understanding of pain. hopefully i can go back into work and not having to use the trolley and that.— the trolley and that. chris arc ues the trolley and that. chris argues the _ the trolley and that. chris argues the way _ the trolley and that. chris argues the way that - the trolley and that. chris i argues the way that current health system is set up, they are still at the complexity of chronic pain.—

chronic pain. it's not something _ chronic pain. it's not something that - chronic pain. it's not something that is i chronic pain. it's not - something that is commonly talked about. people get on with it and it gets to a point that people become incredibly disabled and distressed and i don't think we are equipped over as a society or as a healthcare over as a society or as a healthca re system to over as a society or as a healthcare system to deal with that pain, you probally know the prevalence of pain is anything between 20% at 50% in the uk and we know that it's massive. the uk and we know that it's massive-— massive. well as an issue affecting _ massive. well as an issue affecting millions - massive. well as an issue affecting millions of- massive. well as an issue i affecting millions of people, chris says the mechanism of how persistent pain works is not well understood. for example, if we have _ well understood. for example, if we have pain _ well understood. for example, if we have pain in _ well understood. for example, if we have pain in our- well understood. for example, if we have pain in our need, i if we have pain in our need, the senses in our knee may be sending normal information to our nervous system. that data reaches the spinal cord and the spinal cord will learn do what it wants to do on that signal and it may boost the signal and it depends largely than on the decision—making process to turn that into a threat signal or a normal signal. and also an for

like there is a normal thing but a threat signal, the best way our brain owes to get our attention is to reflect that with pain. attention is to reflect that with pain-— attention is to reflect that with pain. attention is to reflect that with ain. ., , with pain. chronic pain can be debilitating. _ with pain. chronic pain can be debilitating, fatiguing - with pain. chronic pain can be debilitating, fatiguing and i debilitating, fatiguing and agonising. chronic pain has made — agonising. chronic pain has made me _ agonising. chronic pain has made me feel different. i feel judged, — made me feel different. i feel judged, misunderstood. | made me feel different. i feel judged, misunderstood. ifeel isolated. judged, misunderstood. ifeel isolated- l _ judged, misunderstood. ifeel isolated. ifeel— judged, misunderstood. ifeel isolated. i feel so _ judged, misunderstood. ifeel isolated. i feel so guilty i judged, misunderstood. ifeel isolated. i feel so guilty for. isolated. i feel so guilty for not being able to work, not having a career, not be able to build married life my own way and rely on others for support. i don't, bodily pain can be anywhere in the body, all over, and i_ anywhere in the body, all over, and i asked, who has my beauty doll today— and i asked, who has my beauty doll today because like of those _ doll today because like of those who live with chronic pain, — those who live with chronic pain, nearly a quarter are taking— pain, nearly a quarter are taking some kind of opioid painkiller and more than 40% of this group— painkiller and more than 40% of this group started taking them five years ago. it�*s this group started taking them five years ago-— five years ago. it's these dru . s, five years ago. it's these drugs, powerful- five years ago. it's these i drugs, powerful medication taken by millions of people, and for some it's posing additional danger. i

and for some it's posing additional danger.- and for some it's posing additional danger. i get this overwhelming _ additional danger. i get this overwhelming rage. - additional danger. i get this overwhelming rage. i- additional danger. i get this overwhelming rage. i never| overwhelming rage. i never thought i could be capable of murdering somebody but when i'm with withdrawal i couldn't matter. i want to hit my horses. which is so against who i am at core. but if i ever did that, i wouldn't, i am at core. but if i ever did that, iwouldn't, that i am at core. but if i ever did that, i wouldn't, that would be it. , ., , it. these other terrifying feelings _ it. these other terrifying feelings that _ it. these other terrifying | feelings that withdrawing it. these other terrifying i feelings that withdrawing from opiate painkillers can stir up. nikki is averted to her horses, they are perhaps the most precious thing in her life. just thinking she could harm them is devastating. that shows just how difficult and dangerous this process of withdrawal is. i dangerous this process of withdrawal is.— dangerous this process of withdrawal is. i woke up one mornin: withdrawal is. i woke up one morning and _ withdrawal is. i woke up one morning and i _ withdrawal is. i woke up one morning and ijust _ withdrawal is. i woke up one morning and i just wanted i withdrawal is. i woke up onei morning and i just wanted to morning and ijust wanted to die. i couldn't access any feelings of love and i realised

this is withdrawal.— this is withdrawal. nikki has been prescribed _ this is withdrawal. nikki has been prescribed powerful. been prescribed powerful painkillers including the highly addictive drug, fentanyl, because of a rare and excruciating pain full nerve condition which started 20 years ago. it condition which started 20 years ago-— condition which started 20 earsaao, , , years ago. it is as if somebody has stuck _ years ago. it is as if somebody has stuck a — years ago. it is as if somebody has stuck a cattle _ years ago. it is as if somebody has stuck a cattle prod - years ago. it is as if somebody has stuck a cattle prod to i years ago. it is as if somebody has stuck a cattle prod to the i has stuck a cattle prod to the side of my face. it's extraordinary overwhelming pain. i literally hit the floor and it basically destroyed my life. , ., and it basically destroyed my life. ~ , life. opioid painkillers including _ life. opioid painkillers including codeine, i life. opioid painkillers i including codeine, fentanyl life. opioid painkillers - including codeine, fentanyl and morphine are a huge benefit to some people but they are generally only recommended for short—term pain. nikki has lied pain management techniques that means she can now cope without taking fentanyl but she has been left with a dangerous dependency that leads to withdrawal when she reduces her dose. , , . withdrawal when she reduces her dose. , , ,. . . dose. this is the patch that i am on. the _ dose. this is the patch that i am on, the fentanyl- dose. this is the patch that i am on, the fentanyl patch. l dose. this is the patch that i i am on, the fentanyl patch. the atch is am on, the fentanyl patch. the patch is actually _ am on, the fentanyl patch. the patch is actually these are injured things?— patch is actually these are injured things? you see this one is a whole _ injured things? you see this one is a whole one - injured things? you see this one is a whole one and i'vel injured things? you see this i one is a whole one and i've cut

off little bits. this is not the proper way of doing it. they were to drop down by a whole patch. there is no real exit strategy for these patches. exit strategy for these patches-— exit strategy for these atches. ., ., ., patches. individual withdrawal safel , patches. individual withdrawal safely. nikki _ patches. individual withdrawal safely, nikki shaves _ patches. individual withdrawal safely, nikki shaves off i patches. individual withdrawal safely, nikki shaves off tony i safely, nikki shaves off tony slithers from her fentanyl patches, less than a minute later at home.— later at home. every time i reduce my _ later at home. every time i reduce my opioids, - later at home. every time i reduce my opioids, my i later at home. every time i | reduce my opioids, my pain increases as i go through the withdrawal process. then decreases and i feel so withdrawal process. then decreases and ifeel so much better each time. and i think that one of the things that would help is for medicines to be a bit more supportive and a little bit more humble. about the way they treat people in withdrawal. because we aren't the ones writing those prescriptions. they are. {bps prescriptions. they are. gps arc ue prescriptions. they are. gps argue that _ prescriptions. they are. gps argue that access _ prescriptions. they are. gps argue that access to - prescriptions. they are. gps argue that access to treatments and therapies that offer an alternative to medication are patchy. in the meantime, for some patients, painkillers are the only thing that brings immediate relief. but from the

rain, that relief from pain when she lost a decade of her life. it's relentless nature in her arms, legs and next, captured in her diary. it became a little bit to make make much to keep writing this down because every dayjust seemed the same. she down because every day 'ust seemed the same.i down because every day 'ust seemed the same. she also knows the fear of — seemed the same. she also knows the fear of feeling _ seemed the same. she also knows the fear of feeling she _ seemed the same. she also knows the fear of feeling she was - the fear of feeling she was dependent on prescription and painkilling drugs. in her case, morphine. painkilling drugs. in her case, morphine-— morphine. it's like my subconscious - morphine. it's like my subconscious was i morphine. it's like my - subconscious was screaming. morphine. it's like my _ subconscious was screaming. you are gonna die. you are literally gonna die if you don't do something. i didn't know that i was slowly overdosing. like, it's like a silent killer. 50 overdosing. like, it's like a silent killer.— overdosing. like, it's like a silent killer. so with the help of her gp, — silent killer. so with the help of her gp, lorraine _ silent killer. so with the help of her gp, lorraine has i of her gp, lorraine has gradually weaned herself off morphine. gradually weaned herself off morphine-— gradually weaned herself off morhine. �* ., ., , ., morphine. i've got family who i love and adore _ morphine. i've got family who i love and adore and _ morphine. i've got family who i love and adore and life - morphine. i've got family who i love and adore and life is i love and adore and life is worth living and there are so many reasons for us to be here.

no matter how much pain i meant, no matter how bad it gets, to be able to hold my grandkids and told my kids and kissed them, that's why i did it. ,, ., kissed them, that's why i did it. ., , kissed them, that's why i did it. so opioids are the whole class. it. so opioids are the whole class- a _ it. so opioids are the whole class. a leading _ it. so opioids are the whole class. a leading pain i it. so opioids are the whole i class. a leading pain expert has looked at our nationwide survey which suggests millions of people are being prescribed drugs that are potentially addictive and may not actually be improving their condition. prescribing is easy and the system is set up to support prescribing, we have prescription pads and pharmacies were biblical act but other things people conic pain can benefit from, physical activity programmes, programmes to help with mental health, committee support, peer support, all these sorts of things aren't so readily available and even when they are available, they are dog connected with health services. leader whole social change that we need a change in society where we think these are the

normal things that we should be providing, whether the of us who go to our gp with a problem, connect with chronic pain that actually we aren't surprised when somebody wants to talk to us about something other than medicines.- other than medicines. people tell me i look _ other than medicines. people tell me i look well _ other than medicines. people tell me i look well and i other than medicines. people tell me i look well and they i tell me i look well and they see me _ tell me i look well and they see me. when i'm wearing make up. see me. when i'm wearing make uu and— see me. when i'm wearing make up. and my— see me. when i'm wearing make up. and my pain level is a level— up. and my pain level is a level four. up. and my pain level is a levelfour. but up. and my pain level is a level four. but they don't see me when_ level four. but they don't see me when i'm flaring, when i'm inagony. _ me when i'm flaring, when i'm in agony, crying because eigenvalue move and my medication isn't helping. i had to change _ medication isn't helping. i had to change my personality and become — to change my personality and become more selfish as i can manage _ become more selfish as i can manage my time and energy and pain _ manage my time and energy and pain it's — manage my time and energy and pain. it's exhausting. it's another— pain. it's exhausting. it's another place, everything looks the same — another place, everything looks the same where everything is different. i the same where everything is different. ~' ., different. i never know when the next _ different. i never know when the next flareup _ different. i never know when the next flareup will - different. i never know when the next flareup will come i different. i never know when i the next flareup will come and i know that there will be lots of things unable to do because i am in pain. of things unable to do because iam in pain. in of things unable to do because i am in pain-— i am in pain. in our survey nearly half— i am in pain. in our survey nearly half of _ i am in pain. in our survey nearly half of those i i am in pain. in our survey nearly half of those who i i am in pain. in our survey i nearly half of those who live with chronic pain said it impacted on their daily life. simple things like doing the shopping going to work. libby

has lived almost half her life with pain. a serious problem with pain. a serious problem with her thyroid developed when she was aged just 11, leading to chronic pain that profoundly affected every aspect of her childhood and her teenage years. now she is studying at university but that's only possible because of a combination of medication and other therapies. you combination of medication and other therapies.— other therapies. you have to find a way — other therapies. you have to find a way of _ other therapies. you have to find a way of balancing i other therapies. you have to find a way of balancing the i find a way of balancing the benefits of the medication other side—effects it creates, the risks that it creates and also quality—of—life. so at the minute, with the medication i'm on, the side—effects are minimal to on, the side—effects are minimalto nine or on, the side—effects are minimal to nine or if i do have them, they kind of blended with them, they kind of blended with the other symptoms i have because of my chronic fatigue. the risks are particularly high —— aren't high and it's majorly improve my quality of life because if i didn't have that medication is a mine,, i wouldn't be able to function. we asked her to keep a record

of an average day to see the impact her condition has on her everyday life. i impact her condition has on her everyday life-— everyday life. i have 'ust woken from i everyday life. i have 'ust woken from a i everyday life. i have 'ust woken from a really i everyday life. i havejust woken from a really bad | everyday life. i have just i woken from a really bad night of pain. it was like a combined nerve pain and muscle contractions. i'm used to it so i go about my day. looking from place to place is taking a lot of pain especially in myjoints but it's kind of flaring up the nerve pain from last night. i got 30 because i'm a child. i am still in a lot of pain but at least i habitat in our. really good day but unfortunately my good days come with quite a lot of bad days afterwards. it is like i am being pulled so tight— it is like i am being pulled so tight that it is burning. trying _ tight that it is burning. trying to get to sleep for hours. _ trying to get to sleep for hours. i_ trying to get to sleep for hours, i am exhausted. as the

ears hours, i am exhausted. as the years progress _ hours, i am exhausted. as the years progress and _ hours, i am exhausted. as the years progress and things i hours, i am exhausted. as the years progress and things got | years progress and things got worse there were a few moments where i couldn't really think about the future. because i couldn't imagine things getting better. just something i can coexist with, and for me that is what acceptance is, finding a way to coexist, because i don't think i will ever find peace with it. i am sort of trapped in a body that is painful to bn. there is no nice way of putting it. it is just a bit, it sucks. way of putting it. it is 'ust a bit, it sucks.i bit, it sucks. like many of those we _ bit, it sucks. like many of those we spoke _ bit, it sucks. like many of those we spoke to, i bit, it sucks. like many of those we spoke to, libby | bit, it sucks. like many of i those we spoke to, libby has struggled at times to get the right kind of help.— right kind of help. what is our right kind of help. what is your pain _ right kind of help. what is your pain like? _ right kind of help. what is your pain like? but i right kind of help. what is your pain like? but she i right kind of help. what is| your pain like? but she has right kind of help. what is i your pain like? but she has now not your pain like? but she has now got access _ your pain like? but she has now got access to — your pain like? but she has now got access to the _ your pain like? but she has now got access to the nhs _ your pain like? but she has now got access to the nhs clinic- got access to the nhs clinic run by dr chris barker. the techniques she has learned along with careful use of medication allow libby to live with her pain. there are millions who are waiting for this kind of specialised care. one way to describe pain, like

a bad employee, it is constantly messing everything up. it constantly messing everything u . _ , ., ., constantly messing everything u l , , ., ., . ., ., ., up. it is a real condition that thousands — up. it is a real condition that thousands of _ up. it is a real condition that thousands of us _ up. it is a real condition that thousands of us suffer i up. it is a real condition that thousands of us suffer with i thousands of us suffer with daily — thousands of us suffer with daily. but because it is invisible we are often dismissed as drama queens and fakers. — dismissed as drama queens and fakers, sometimes even by medical_ fakers, sometimes even by medical professionals. from an active 40-year-old _ medical professionals. from an active 40-year-old to - medical professionals. from an active 40-year-old to a - medical professionals. from an active 40-year-old to a tablet l active 40—year—old to a tablet depending _ active 40—year—old to a tablet depending 50—year—old, - active 40—year—old to a tablet depending 50—year—old, whol active 40—year—old to a tableti depending 50—year—old, who if active 40—year—old to a tablet . depending 50—year—old, who if i didnt— depending 50—year—old, who if i didn't take — depending 50—year—old, who if i didn't take tablets _ depending 50—year—old, who if i didn't take tablets would - depending 50—year—old, who if i didn't take tablets would not. didn't take tablets would not pull the _ didn't take tablets would not pull the sheet _ didn't take tablets would not pull the sheet off— didn't take tablets would not pull the sheet off my - didn't take tablets would not pull the sheet off my head. i didn't take tablets would not i pull the sheet off my head. our surve pull the sheet off my head. survey suggested that of pull the sheet off my headm survey suggested that of those living with chronic pain, 23% were on a waiting list for either pain management clinic or surgery. either pain management clinic orsurgery. dr either pain management clinic or surgery. dr barker's clinic is one of relatively few specialist centres dealing with chronic pain. he leads a team of physiotherapists, psychologists and pharmacists helping people better manage their pain. focusing notjust on the physical causes, but also on how the brain interprets and reacts to pain.

trying to keep an open mind... i think the understanding we have — i think the understanding we have of— i think the understanding we have of pain will take a long time — have of pain will take a long time to— have of pain will take a long time to filter through, and attitudes will change as well. if attitudes will change as well. if you — attitudes will change as well. if you understand that pain is something that is modifiable and we — something that is modifiable and we can make changes to it, and we can make changes to it, and we— and we can make changes to it, and we can_ and we can make changes to it, and we can be empowered to do those _ and we can be empowered to do those kind — and we can be empowered to do those kind of things. it may not completely get rid of pain but when we understand how to deal with — but when we understand how to deal with this in a different way— deal with this in a different way we _ deal with this in a different way we will be much better place _ way we will be much better place. should we try and get you more _ place. should we try and get you more comfortable... i can see how _ you more comfortable... i can see how you _ you more comfortable... i can see how you are _ you more comfortable... i can see how you are holding - see how you are holding yourself. just breathing and coming forwards.— yourself. just breathing and coming forwards. thinking about ain in a coming forwards. thinking about pain in a new — coming forwards. thinking about pain in a new way, _ coming forwards. thinking about pain in a new way, reframing - pain in a new way, reframing our understanding of chronic pain, can transform lives. people like bernie. who's approach to how she manages her pain has been held by the oran support of the clinic office. i support of the clinic office. i think i am of the generation where you think you take a tablet and it will go away, which it doesn't. take some of the pain away but obviously the

condition is still there. now i am learning how to cope with that without the tablets, and i still have to take the painkillers, but other things as well that help that. it is, i am getting on a little bit now, i'm not the oldest person in the world, but i want to be able to enjoy the rest of my life rather than have it be controlled by pain. (laughs). one constant _ controlled by pain. (laughs). one constant theme _ controlled by pain. (laughs). one constant theme we - controlled by pain. (laughs). one constant theme we have l one constant theme we have heard from the thousands of people who have told us about their experience of living with chronic pain, is how isolating it can be. so patients at the merseyside clinic have organised a support group, a place where stories can be told, experiences shared. laughter is the best medicine. it is so easy to sit at home, think i can't be bothered taking another pill and fall asleep. that is one way to go, the other way to go is to pop into a group similar to this,

said down and basically have a laugh, because while you are laughing you are certainly not crying. i laughing you are certainly not c inc. ,. . laughing you are certainly not c inc. ,. , ., , crying. i describe it as genesis _ crying. i describe it as genesis of _ crying. i describe it as genesis of the - crying. i describe it as genesis of the body, l crying. i describe it as - genesis of the body, because it is atways— genesis of the body, because it is always there. —— tonight is of the — is always there. —— tonight is of the body. it is always there. -- tonight is of the body-— is always there. -- tonight is of the body. it is here we met luke who _ of the body. it is here we met luke who has _ of the body. it is here we met luke who has lived _ of the body. it is here we met luke who has lived with - of the body. it is here we met. luke who has lived with chronic pain for a decade now. his life change in an instant where at age 13 he woke one morning in excruciating pain. when he first came to the group he was the youngest member. i first came to the group he was the youngest member.- the youngest member. i was really nervous _ the youngest member. i was really nervous because - the youngest member. i was really nervous because i - the youngest member. i was really nervous because i wasj really nervous because i was really nervous because i was really worried it was going to be like an aa meeting, "hello, my name isjohn, i have suffered from pain for 35 years" stop (laughs), but it is not bad at all. and it is this incredible support network of people that just understood incredible support network of people thatjust understood me on a level i didn't think anyone could understand me. the u-rou anyone could understand me. the a-rou has anyone could understand me. the group has played a big part in helping luke better understand his pain. helping luke better understand his ain. ., ., his pain. the reason i am feelin: his pain. the reason i am feeling pain _ his pain. the reason i am feeling pain is _ his pain. the reason i am feeling pain is because i his pain. the reason i am i feeling pain is because oh, his pain. the reason i am - feeling pain is because oh, my nervous system is doing this, or my brain has decided that any sensation is going to

register as pain. and it is just, knowledge is one of the biggest tools when it comes to pain, and this place helps with that massively. that was a good shot. ~ . . that massively. that was a good shot. ~' , ., ., shot. luke lives at home with his family- — shot. luke lives at home with his family. it _ shot. luke lives at home with his family. it has _ shot. luke lives at home with his family. it has been - shot. luke lives at home with his family. it has been tough| his family. it has been tough at times, a 23—year—old who had dreams of going to university. the world around me is advancing and i am trapped in a room, that is the killer, and it feels like all my friends are now in university and finding jobs. there is a period where you go through the five stages of grief. because you have a completely different life now. it was hard for my family, i know, because it is something i have thought about, as they watch their healthy young child just deteriorate in a manner that is unforeseen and unexplainable, and i know that was really, really hard on them. because i could tell by their faces. them. because i could tell by theirfaces. the mums and dads, they don't, they have to be strong for their kids, but you catch them looking sad, and it

is yeah, fully understandable. but again, through sessions i had with the pain team and the pain clinic, they were again able to learn and understand and now we did have this incredible understanding, and our own support that those faces don't appear as often. i call this piece that i have composed, "living with chronic pain. " but despite everything he has been through, he has kept his sense of humour. bangs keyboard- _ kept his sense of humour. bangs keyboard. (laughs) _ kept his sense of humour. bangs keyboard. (laughs). _ kept his sense of humour. bangs keyboard. (laughs). it- kept his sense of humour. bangs keyboard. (laughs). it is - kept his sense of humour. bangs keyboard. (laughs). it is what| keyboard. (laughs). it is what ou keyboard. (laughs). it is what ou can keyboard. (laughs). it is what you can do. _ keyboard. (laughs). it is what you can do. not _ keyboard. (laughs). it is what you can do, not what _ keyboard. (laughs). it is what you can do, not what you - keyboard. (laughs). it is what you can do, not what you can't i you can do, not what you can't do stop so the one i always use the example of, is reframing of achievements. that was the biggest, like, lightbulb moment for me, is, the london marathon, some people, that is their massive achievement, they have run the london marathon. that's not going to happen, so

my achievement is, i've got out of bed today. that's when, i have managed to get down the stairs, that's a win. i've left the house, that's a win stop nikki jones the house, that's a win stop nikkijones is the house, that's a win stop nikki jones is also the house, that's a win stop nikkijones is also notching up some wins. in nikki jones is also notching up some wins-— nikki jones is also notching up some wins. ,, , , :: ' some wins. in september 2021, she took part — some wins. in september 2021, she took part in _ some wins. in september 2021, she took part in a _ some wins. in september 2021, she took part in a charity - some wins. in september 2021, she took part in a charity bike i she took part in a charity bike ride around lincolnshire, even while withdrawing from sentinel and managing her pain. the aim was to raise awareness that we can change the way we think and talk about pain, to live with it rather than be ruled by it. there is a massive misunderstanding of pain. we think hurt equals harm, and persistent pain is very different. and it is basically the brain becoming confused, and is giving you pain where it is no longer necessary. but knowing that pain, persistent pain is very different and very complex, means you actually have the ability to change it yourself. and that is actually enormously empowering. $1150

enormously empowering. also there, enormously empowering. also there. dr _ enormously empowering. also there, dr chris _ enormously empowering. also there, dr chris barker, - there, dr chris barker, reflecting that for many opioids and other drugs still play a very important role in helping them cope. i play a very important role in helping them cope.- play a very important role in helping them cope. i think the issue of opioid _ helping them cope. i think the issue of opioid use _ helping them cope. i think the issue of opioid use is - helping them cope. i think the| issue of opioid use is massive, based on clinical and for the individual who is on opioids from those two perspectives. for the person on opioids it is a very real thing, and if i was on opioids for persistent pain, i would feel really uneasy about somebody taking away those drugs that i think maybe giving me some benefit. and thatis giving me some benefit. and that is why i think in the most recent guidelines, it is clear we should be having conversations with people about this, notjust taking them off. and when you have those conversations, confidence in people can be proved to make those changes. clinically we all need to get better with communicating with people about being collaborative with our patients. being collaborative with our atients. , ., patients. everyone we met durin: patients. everyone we met during the _ patients. everyone we met during the making - patients. everyone we met during the making of - patients. everyone we met during the making of this l patients. everyone we met i during the making of this film stressed how there is notjust one story of chronic pain.

every person's experience is different. so too is how they cope with it. different. so too is how they cope with it— different. so too is how they| cope with it._ you cope with it. applause. you know, if cope with it. applause. you know. if i — cope with it. applause. you know. if i do _ cope with it. applause. you know, ifi do this, _ cope with it. applause. you know, if i do this, if - cope with it. applause. you know, ifi do this, if i - know, if i do this, if i actually get off morphine, i want to go to wales, a campfire, andi want to go to wales, a campfire, and i would really love to get tipsy, you know, and just sit there and just take it all in and say "you know what. .. take it all in and say "you know what... i had so much thrown at me, and i am still here, i am thrown at me, and i am still here, lam not thrown at me, and i am still here, i am not down, thrown at me, and i am still here, lam not down, i'm thrown at me, and i am still here, i am not down, i'm still here, i am not down, i'm still here, still fighting". and i did it. �* here, still fighting". and i did it. ., , ., here, still fighting". and i didit. ., , ., , did it. all our lives have been chan . ed did it. all our lives have been changed in — did it. all our lives have been changed in a _ did it. all our lives have been changed in a split _ did it. all our lives have been changed in a split second, . did it. all our lives have been| changed in a split second, and it is confusing, it is weird, and — it is confusing, it is weird, and you _ it is confusing, it is weird, and you... you learn to manage it. and you... you learn to manage it i_ and you... you learn to manage it iwoutd — and you... you learn to manage it. iwould hope and you... you learn to manage it. i would hope that it won't take — it. i would hope that it won't take other people quite so long now to — take other people quite so long now to be — take other people quite so long now to be able to put the things—

now to be able to put the things together to help them manage it as effectively as i can — manage it as effectively as i can i — manage it as effectively as i can. ~' . , , manage it as effectively as i can. ~ , , can. i think i may be 'ust hope that the phone _ can. i think i may be 'ust hope that the phone will _ can. i think i may bejust hope that the phone will ring - can. i think i may bejust hope that the phone will ring and i that the phone will ring and there — that the phone will ring and there will— that the phone will ring and there will be _ that the phone will ring and there will be something i that the phone will ring and i there will be something new, that the phone will ring and - there will be something new, or i there will be something new, or i don't _ there will be something new, or idon't know. _ there will be something new, or i don't know, maybe _ there will be something new, or i don't know, maybe that- there will be something new, or idon't know, maybe that is- idon't know, maybe that is wishful— i don't know, maybe that is wishful thinking, _ i don't know, maybe that is wishful thinking, but - i don't know, maybe that is wishfulthinking, but i - i don't know, maybe that isj wishful thinking, but i think if i wishful thinking, but i think if i haven't— wishful thinking, but i think if i haven't got _ wishful thinking, but i think if i haven't got hope, - wishful thinking, but i think if i haven't got hope, thenl if i haven't got hope, then there _ if i haven't got hope, then there is— if i haven't got hope, then there is no— if i haven't got hope, then there is no point. - if i haven't got hope, then there is no point. it's - if i haven't got hope, then there is no point.— if i haven't got hope, then there is no point. it's not a life i used _ there is no point. it's not a life i used to _ there is no point. it's not a life i used to have, - there is no point. it's not a life i used to have, but i there is no point. it's not a life i used to have, but its| life i used to have, but its life. and that's the thing that i always try and focus on, a life with pain is still a life. good morning. promising start to the weekend, as high pressure is building from the south. isobars are opening up in the far north of scotland, where it was pretty breezy yesterday. so a quieter,

calmer day awaits. a little bit of patchy mist first thing in the morning — that will lift quite readily, a lot of sunshine from the word go. perhaps just a little bit of fair weather cloud the further west you are. but again, that will tend to thin in places, too. so plenty of sunshine, so plenty of warmth as we go through the afternoon — highs ranging from 11—22 celsius. but towards the end of the afternoon into the southwest, we run the risk of some sharp showers developing, pushing up into wales and towards the midlands, and south—east england through the early hours of sunday morning. they will lingerfirst thing in the morning, some of those showers pushing their way through wales up into the north of england and across to scotland, as well. a bit more of a breeze coming in off the north sea, so a little bit cooler here, too. but in the sunshine, we're still likely to see those temperatures peaking at highs of 23 celsius.

welcome to bbc news. i'm nuala mcgovern. our top stories: israeli police beat mourners at the funeral of the aljazeera reporter shireen abu aqla. well, we just had to move back very quickly because the mourners were trying to carry the coffin through the gates, out the hospital. the border police are directly outside and now, we're seeing confrontations here. the us defense secretary calls for an immediate ceasefire in ukraine in his first conversation with his russian counterpart since the invasion. —— counterpart since the invasion began. explosion. the bbc crew runs for cover as russian forces bombard an area near the south—eastern ukrainian city of zaporizhzhia. the new prime minister

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