"I will try anything" the experience of working age stroke survivors living with chronic post-stroke pain: an interpretative phenomenological analysis.

To investigate the experience of working age adults living with chronic post-stroke pain in the United Kingdom (UK). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight working age (46-64 years) UK-based stroke survivors who experience chronic post-stroke pain (≥3 months). The interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The analysis led to three Group Experiential Themes: "The Solitude of the Pain Experience," "Unsatisfactory Healthcare and the Need for Self-Care" and "The Development of Pain Acceptance." Findings suggest that individuals see their post-stroke pain as an invisible disability, which is overlooked and misunderstood by others. Furthermore, in the absence of a differential post-stroke pain diagnosis, clear, accurate information and alternatives to pharmacological treatments, individuals with post-stroke pain invest their own resources in finding answers and a way to live with the pain. The findings suggest the need for further education on post-stroke pain for healthcare professionals, the consideration of pain in post-stroke assessments, the need for clear differential pain diagnoses and the provision of accurate information to patients. Research is needed to establish non-pharmacological evidence-based treatment approaches, such as pain management programmes, peer support and psychological interventions. Post-stroke pain is an invisible disability, difficult to describe to others and therefore often overlooked and misunderstood by others.Differential pain diagnoses should be given to patients with clear explanations of the underlying mechanism, characteristics and prognosis.Treatments other than pharmacology, such as a pain management programmes, peer support, family therapy and psychological interventions, should be considered and patients should be supported in finding a way to live a meaningful life despite the pain.Healthcare professionals, particularly in primary healthcare services would benefit from training on post-stroke pain.