Jan I agree with you. Someone at a level 10 would not be able to type or form coherent sentences. They would be lucky to be able to speak a few words. What you describe sounds like a 10 to me.

Glad to see that you are better now. Do you know what set this off?

Yea, I had not done my shots for stomach ( not bowel..didn't know til recently opiates can shut your actual stomach down) anyway, had missed a couple of days. Then reacted badly to it.
Guess that's why you're supposed to follow docs orders and not guess based on how you feel..haha
Post wasn't really about me, more about getting real on pain levels.
I'm out in the open on this one, 'cause I think some folks are hurtin' themselves not getting this.
Thanks, tigg..... ..jc

When I was a hospital social worker, one of the key things that would PISS OFF EVERYONE would be someone whining and crying about their level 8 , 9 , 10 or higher pain. They would be crying, breathing short and shallow etc---except, their facial and body language would NOT reflect that kind of pain and/or, they would worry about going out for a smoke, they would be talking on their phone or texting or talking with the person that brought them there.

One of the worst ways that we as CP/IP'ers can hurt ourself is to constantly exaggerate the pain. I severely question things when people say things like "My pain is a level 8, 9, 10 etc" and, in the same post they talk about making it through their work day, going to classes all day, shopping and cleaning the house etc.

I am SURE that the pain feels like it is that high, sometimes it feels astronomical. However, if someone is able to maintain daily functioning like working all day etc... In reality, their pain is probably a 4, 5, 6...maybe a 7 according to the appropriate medical scales.

I think the pain scales suck and, I also know that reality sometimes means we have to push ourselves so we don't end up hungry and homeless...

However, even if a person was facing homelessness and hunger, it is medically not realistic that a person can go to work and function day after day in a level 8 or higher pain.

When someone says that to their doc and the doc also knows that they are functioning and maintaining day after day...the doctor QUESTIONS THE HONESTY OF THE STATEMENT! It can make it very difficult to get the appropriate medical help and medication treatment for someone.

Please, learn to really express appropriately to those around you. It can make the difference in how you and your pain are treated. No one deserves to be in pain, exaggerating or not.

HUGS and in support!

Amen Duck!!!

OK, Ducky, you put it into words better than I can.
Thanks for the assist. Maybe folks will get it more coming from someone who was on the other side of the patient health care provider thing.
You are my guru..... ..jc

Someone must be crying wolf again. I have a couple of people on ignore, so I think I'm missing some posts. Thankfully.

Nevertheless, it would be advantagious for the wolf criers to realize how much pain they are causing to people who are insensed at the gall a person has to abuse the support system here at DS. They know who they are, and, YES, everyone else knows who they are too.

No names named, and since some are on ignore (LOVE that feature), I'm blissfully in the dark as to what has been said. They can whine until the cows come home and it will fall on deaf ears.

So use the ignore feature. I't has such a calming effect.

As always, NO OFFENSE INTENDED.

I love all you guys. Gentle hugs to all.

Hey I'm new here. Have posted a couple of times already. I agree with what everyone is saying here. I wake up at a 7 or 8 every day and know that I could not function at that level. I take pain pills that bring me down to a 5, sometimes 4. I personally don't think that's enough, but after reading on here a few days, maybe I'm lucky to get that.

Well said Ducky. I've seen it many times too. What gets me is when someone says their pain is a 12 or higher or anything over 10. The scale goes from 0-10... not any higher. 10 is the worst pain possible so how can your pain be higher. Whatever it is, if it is the worst pain you ever felt then it is a 10 at most. Its like giving 110% - we use that expression but it is technically impossible because giving all you have is 100% and can never be more than that.

OK sorry for the rant, this hit a nerve with me. I don't mean to offend anyone and I hope I haven't just expressing MHO.

I've given birth three times and during the second one my epidural wore off. Well, actually it just made my leg numb. I don't think it ever really worked. I would say I had a level 8 with that. The only time I've had a 10 was after my hysterectomy. While my doctor was in there he said that I had "poor tissue quality" and that every time he tried to move something or clamp it, it tore. (Really, REALLY wish I had gotten more info on that but now he's gone.) I woke up from that screaming. They ended up giving me Diulad for the rest of the day.

I have never known such intense agony. There was no typing, texting, or even talking. I could barely articulate anything. It was so unbearable that my mind was a hazy fog and even the nurses in charge said they'd never seen anyone come out of a hysterectomy like that. I've had gallbladder attacks that had my throwing up from pain but even then I could talk and joke and stuff in between. At my 10 I am not functional. I hope never to see that again.

I HATE THE NUMBER SHIT.DRS JUST DISMISS IT THINKING THEY DID SOMETHING. I'LL TELL YOU HOW IT FEELS!

wow.....i dont understand the judging.....i understand the pain scale completely...my 10's were natural child birth,heart attacks,back injury right after car wreck....gall bladder attack...ive had them..i know what they are

when i wake up each morning,im in pain..it feels like ive been hit in my lower back with a base ball bat...what level is that?i dont know....but its not a 10......i can still get up,make coffee and lay back down till the meds kick in....

when my doc ask my average level of pain without meds..or when they have worn off..i say a 5 or 6....with them...either the same or 0..depending on how lucky i am.....

i understand the frustration some have here in what others say is a 10 but still typing away....but in thier heads its a 10..why should we get on to them?my 5 at times to me is a 10...im layed up in the bed,if i stand up,it intensifies,if i stay up more then 3 minutes,its even worse...i have to lay back down on an ice pack to try and numb the pain.....

i dont post much on here.i just wish we could be supportive to someone in pain...who are we to say what the level is????

ok..im done..my level is a 4 now and im going to lay down!!!!!!!!

You're right, it's all subjective. My 10 and your 10 might not be the same. I know my 10 isn't the same as my husband's. He cries like a baby when he has a headache. I have chronic migraines. It probably doesn't matter. If it hurts then it hurts.

when i have hit 9 i passed out. these scales are here to help in dealing with the medical personal, saying you are more than 10 only hurts your chances of getting the help you need.

My RSD pain was a constant 7 to 9. I perceive level 10 pain to be jump-off-a-bridge-to-put-me-out-of-my-misery pain.

And even the level 7 pain left me barely able to focus on anything. Now that I have my scs, I'm able to type with one finger to correspond with the wonderful people here. Seriously, before my scs there was no day or night, no monday or tuesday, no april or may. Every day was the same day over again, and when sleeping, I would wake every 6 minutes (as my sleep study revealed). It took all my concentration to protect my arm when awake. I couldn't even THINK about using my computer, let alone touch it. No cleaning, no cooking, no laundry, no anything. Typing was the furthest thing from my mind.

i know that my 10 was when both my kidneys shut down for 48 hrs,i barely remember getting to the er.when a man walked in to check on me,all i could say was are you a dr,give me something please i have to have help.that was no doubt the worse pain my body has ever felt.be blessed,grammie.