I always described my pain as EXTREME tightness, like when you lift too much weight at the gym and the next day you are super sore times about 500. Might seem like an exaggeration, but then they get what kind of pain I am talking about.

I always use funny words for my pain. "I feel like I got hit really hard with a baseball bat", "I feel like my muscles are in a vise and are ready to pop", that sort of thing. I don't hesitate to tell them my discomfort kept me in bed for 3 days last week. Or I've also told them I couldn't take my garbage can to the street because the driveway was too long. (that is a fatigue one).

I also try to tell them if the pain is sharp, short, (take my breath away), dull, non-stop, pulse pain, deep pain, nerve pain, muscle pain, etc.

I tend to downplay my discomfort so this helps me describe it in a means that they might understand.

i've found that with my rheumy using tasks to describe my pain wouldn't work. like the fact that i would get too fatigued walking the dogs their full 20min morning walk he just seemed to write me off as lazy. apparently that didn't work with him, but it's the easiest way for me to explain it.

the pain in my legs & shoulders- feels like at rest my muscles are pulled as tight as they can go & when i flex or use the muscles feels like a rubberband that's pulled too tight & is about to break.

the outer thigh- i get more of a burning pain with my outer thighs.

hips/shoulders- more of a dull ache

when i've over done it for the day it's like athlete14 said i feel like i've worked out to the point of collapse the day before & now my muscles are all extremely tired & sore & feel overused

hope this helps!

Im like hopeful I feel good one day clean the house go all day ,the next day it feels like Ive worked out pulled every muscle in my body x10 .Mine is full body burns too not like a fire burn more like a friction burn ,and throbbing my whole body throbs like an infected finger. People do all describe things different I read about little electric shocks people have and I believe it what I describe as pins and needles that go up and down my body.Ive been too sore for so long I cant pick out individual pain like leg etc .Id be happy if one leg hurt lol .I am sliding down into depression right now tho Im too tired to force myself to do stuff

good to hear from you all -
Imrmom - I have been in this place where you are. Only recently my new physio said "Do not let the pain get higher than 5 out of 10. Whatever you are doing when you feel it getting more than a 5 stop" At first i thought this was ridiculous as my pain always seemed to be more than 5. But after only 2 weeks i feel so much better and I am no longer pushing myself through the pain and overdoing things.
I had all the same symptoms as you, including sinking down the deep dark hole. Now (I know it is an up and down ride) I am coping with everything much better - I actually feel positive!!! I think it is because I have some degree of control again - i stop when the pain gets too much and do something different. I am not my disease http://notmydisease.blogspot.com/