A Moray man who suffers constant agony has set up an online support group so others like him can share their pain.
Chris Bridgeford has battled a complex neuropathic pain syndrome, called Allodynia, for 38 of his 56 years, along with a number of other conditions.
His entire body is hyper-sensitive and he has to take more than 30 pills a day just to remain comfortable.
He has now set up the Affa Sair support group to provide a safe space for other chronic suffers who feel they lack a voice.
Mr Bridgeford, from Forres, said he wanted to spark a healthy, yet light-hearted, discussion of different experiences, treatments and coping strategies.
He said: “Members are encouraged to leave tips on how to deal with a life of pain on a daily basis and to just have a good moan to each other about our experiences.
“We are allowed to have fun at times. We don’t need to be serious and miserable all the time.”
People suffering from chronic conditions have been having to make a round trip to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for treatment since Moray lost its specialised service in 2011.
However, a specialist pain clinic is due to return to Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin in December.
The move was agreed following a meeting between Moray MSP Richard Lochhead and NHS Grampian chiefs in March.
Mr Bridgeford said he hoped his group could signal the beginning of better times for pain sufferers in the area.
He said: “I want to be able to pass our experiences and feelings to the Grampian Health Board, local health professionals and politicians.
“We badly need a pain service in Elgin. It is horrendously difficult for us to travel to Aberdeen and, in some cases, it is just plain impossible.”
A spokeswoman from chronic pain charity, Pain Association Scotland, said groups such as Mr Bridgeford’s can be hugely beneficial because they “remind sufferers that they are not on their own”.
Affa Sair can be accessed at www.facebook.com/groups/affasair.