rating and describing pain can be difficult
When you have a condition that involves pain doctors will often ask you to rate your pain on a scale from one to 10. Especially when I first developed my pain I found this question to be exasperating. I just knew I was in a lot of pain I had no concept of how to quantify it. it was just as frustrating when the doctors ask me to describe my pain they asked me if the pain felt like burning, tangling aching sharp etc... I had a very clear burning sensation in my feet but other then that I had a very hard time describing the pain in the rest of my body. I was in pain for over 10 years and I was asked to rate my pain a lot over that time period. it became a little easier over time however I never was completely comfortable with rating and describing my pain.
I find it difficult to quantify most feelings, but pain is the hardest. I can tell you 1 - 10 for pain as I know it, but not for pain in general. How does the doctor know if my 5 and your 5 are the same? I think it is a useless question, but I am more quality than quantity in everything.
I'm glad to hear your pain is now being better managed.
Posted by: Vicki Bridges | April 13, 2008 at 02:27 AM
I find it difficult to quantify most feelings, but pain is the hardest. I can tell you 1 - 10 for pain as I know it, but not for pain in general. How does the doctor know if my 5 and your 5 are the same? I think it is a useless question, but I am more quality than quantity in everything.
I'm glad to hear your pain is now being better managed.
Posted by: Vicki Bridges | April 13, 2008 at 02:28 AM
Oh yes. As my pain varies with movement/activity/gravity (end of a day is so much worse!), it is often hard to describe. Burning, stabby sharp, deep ache, sciatica for bonus fun...
And the scale? Hell, my base rate has changed so in last two years since accident. What was ohmigod hurt is now a mere ache. You adjust so much, you have to.
Posted by: timelady | July 24, 2008 at 02:27 AM