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 December 15, 2008, 08:10:38 AM
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Jr. Member
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Posts: 67
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I found a decent scale finally that I can agree with. We're all familiar with the 0-10 pain scale, but this makes it seem a little more relavent I think.
0: No pain. Feeling perfectly "normal".
1: Very mild = Very light barely noticeable pain, like a mosquito bite or a poison ivy itch. Most of the time you never think about the pain.
2: Uncomfortable = Minor pain, like lightly pinching the fold of skin between the thumb and first finger with the other hand, using the fingernails. (Note that people react differently to this self-test)
3: Tolerable = Very noticeable pain, like an accidental cut, a blow to the nose causing a bloody nose, or a doctor giving you a shot. The pain isn’t so strong that you can’t get used to it. Eventually, most of the time you don’t notice the pain. You’ve adapted to it.
4: Distressing = Strong, deep pain, like an average toothache, the initial pain from a bee sting, or minor trauma like stubbing your toe real hard. So strong that you notice the pain all the time and can’t completely adapt. This level of pain can be simulated by pinching the fold of skin between the thumb and first finger with the other hand, using the fingernails and squeezing really hard. Not how the simulated pain is initially piercing but becomes dull after that.
5: Very distressing = Strong, deep, piercing pain, such as a sprained ankle when you stand on it wrong, or mild back pain. Not only do you notice the pain all the time, you are now so preoccupied with managing it that your normal lifestyle is curtailed. Temporary personality disorders are frequent.
6: Intense = Strong, deep, piercing pain, so strong that it seems to partially dominate your senses, causing you to think somewhat unclearly. At this point you begin to have trouble holding a job or maintaining normal social relationships. Comparable to a bad non-migraine headache combined with several bee stings or a bad back pain. (I reach this level almost every day, but usually rate it a 3 or 4.)
7: Very intense = Same as 6 except that the pain completely dominates your senses causing you to think unclearly about half the time. at this point you’re effectively disabled and frequently can’t live alone. Comparable to an average migraine headache.
8: Utterly horrible = Pain so intense that you can no longer think clearly at all, and have often undergone severe personality change if the pain has been present for a long time. Suicide is frequently contemplated and sometimes tried. Comparable to childbirth or a real bad migraine.
9: Excruciatingly unbearable = Pain so intense that you can’t tolerate it and demand pain killers or surgery, no matter what the side effects or risk. If this doesn’t work, suicide is frequent since there is no more joy in life whatsoever.
10: Unimaginable/unspeakable = Pain so intense that you will go unconscious shortly. Most people have never experienced this level of pain. Those who have suffered a severe accident, such as a crushed hand, and lost consciousness as a result of the pain rather than the blood loss, have experienced level 10.
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December 15, 2008, 09:07:56 AM
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Full Member
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Posts: 151
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If I knew everyone agreed on those descriptions it would be fine. But they always just treat it as self-evident what each number means, and when I tell them I would have no clue what 2 or 4 or 7 mean to them, or whether it would mean the same thing to me, they don't know what I'm talking about and think I'm being uncooperative for no reason.
Last time, after I made this objection, they "explained" that zero meant no pain, and that ten meant the worst pain ever. That was very helpful.....
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"You're better than normal! You're ABnormal!"-- Fry to Leela, who's self-conscious about her single eye, Futurama
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December 15, 2008, 11:51:57 PM
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Jr. Member
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Posts: 67
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LOL That's so true. My 10 and the doctor's 10 are probably about the same distance as from here to the center of the Sun.
Like I said before, it makes us a bit warped when it's prolonged, "chronic" pain that never goes away. I've had some brutal things happen in my life. I've been beaten with everything from boots to pool cues to empty booze bottles, been shoved down stairs and had my right hip dislocated 14 times when I landed at the bottom (another couple of reasons I don't speak to my sperm donor), raped 3x by 3 different men, bar brawls, knife fights... And when the knife went through my arm one time, as of then, I'd have said a 10. But now? Eh... maybe a 5. 6 tops, TOPS!
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June 06, 2009, 06:30:20 PM
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Full Member
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Posts: 151
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Yeah I know what you mean. Pain will make people do ANYTHING to get rid of it. I overdosed on aspirin last week. That itself was hell. I was thinking the pain would be better, but Im not so sure.
My migraine is back, along with more and more joint pain. I have no idea what to do.
Very sorry to hear that... aspirin/caffeine powder is the big nightmare for me. Caffeine is hell but the aspirin doesn't work on me without it. Undiagnosed patients should organize to get special measures taken for us, like labor unions or something. But who's going to do it... us? Someone who isn't ill? Neither seems likely.
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"You're better than normal! You're ABnormal!"-- Fry to Leela, who's self-conscious about her single eye, Futurama
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