When I go for my initial appointment on Wednesday for rehab, do I do all that is asked of me regardless of the pain? Do I push myself to do things I know I cannot do? I dont know how to deal with this and am concerned that I will be pushed to do exercises that will cause me further pain just so they can send me back to work.
my rule was not past a 5.....Bad boy I believe has a pain scale he posted a while back....I would do to a 5 on that scale and no more...if you dont at least try they say you are faking and wont even try.....this is not the time to cowboy/girl up...dont take meds before you go and if it hurts tell them....You may wanna take someone with you to be a witness.....and good luck...
here is a pain scale given by ifoster
Pain level 1 to 10?
I was once told that your pain scale may not be the same as your Dr's. and I should create my own pain scale. This is really true, not only is the way I rate my pain possibly different from my numerous Drs. but also from other pain sufferers. For those of us who have been in pain for a long time, many have a higher tolerance to pain. What would make one person cry may be at a "5/6", but if a different person's pain tolerance is high, they may not start to cry until they are at an "8/9". So for a Dr. to have a generic pain scale that says a 7 is when you are at the point of tears...the h. tolerance person would think that since they weren't crying..they must be a "5/6" on the Drs. scale. Does that make sense to anyone
I did make my own scale and use it to describe my pain to my Dr. and I show him the scale that I am using. Instead of just the No. and a facial expression to go with it (like some of the Drs. /hosiptals have), my scale has 4 rows. The no. 1-10, a facial expression, several decriptive words or characteristics and below ea. of these I name an example of medication that I would need for that stage.
I always fax an outline of what I want to talk with the Dr. about, the day before my visits...I got into the habbit of typing/writing my outline on my pre-made letterhead paper. (The letterhead is actually my pain scale across the top of the page, which I copied numerous copies a while ago). Then when I go for an appnt. I take a copy of what I faxed, so we both have a copy and we both have the same understanding.
Here is an example of my pain scale...you can tweek it to your own scale, if you want.
1-No pain!
2-Uncomfortable, but livable. (Aleeve etc).
3-A definate pain, but livable. (Aleeve and Ice/heat)
4-Pain is now having an affect on lifestyle. (Tromadol)
5-Pain is now having an affect on life itself. (Tromadol and Tylanol)
6-A constant, uncontrollable pain (Percaset)
7-Heart palpitations, low grade feaver, cold sweats. (Oxycontin)
8-Can't hold back the tears. Can't move w/o agony. (Oxycontin and Pecoset for B/T pain.)
9-Crying, vomitting, laying in fetal position. (Morephine or dilaudid)
10-ER (can't take it anymore...get me to the ER) :0! (IV meds. needed.)
ade by ifoster
Mankoski Pain Scale
Comparative Pain Scale
0 No pain. Feeling perfectly normal.
Minor
Does not interfere with most activities. Able to adapt to pain psychologically and with medication or devices such as cushions.
1
Very Mild Very light barely noticable pain, like a mosquito bite or a poison ivy itch. Most of the time you never think about the pain.
2
Discomforting 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 noticable pain, like an accidental cut, a blow to the nose causing a bloody nose, or a doctor giving you an injection. The pain is not so strong that you cannot get used to it. Eventually, most of the time you don't notice the pain. You have adapted to it.
Moderate
Interferes with many activities. Requires lifestyle changes but patient remains independent. Unable to adapt to pain.
4
Distressing Strong, deep pain, like an average toothache, the initial pain from a bee sting, or minor trauma to part of the body, such as stubbing your toe real hard. So strong you notice the pain all the time and cannot completely adapt. This pain level can be simulated by pinching the fold of skin between the thumb and first finger with the other hand, using the fingernails, and squeezing real hard. Note how the similated pain is initially piercing but becomes dull after that.
3
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 you normal lifestyle is curtailed. Temporary personality disorders are frequent.
6
Intense Strong, deep, piercing pain so strong 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-migriane headache combined with several bee stings, or a bad back pain.
Severe
Unable to engage in normal activities. Patient is disabled and unable to function independently.
7
Very
Intense Same as 6 except the pain completely dominates your senses, causing you to think unclearly about half the time. At this point you are effectively disabled and frequently cannot live alone. Comparable to an average migraine headache.
8
Utterly
Horrible Pain so intense 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 headache.
9
Excruciating
Unbearable Pain so intense you cannot 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. Comparable to throat cancer.
10
Unimaginable
Unspeakable Pain so intense 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 and not blood loss, have experienced level 10.
childbirth and migrain a 8 huh? a man must have made this up....cuz my childbirth was a 9 in fact I offered to do a c section on myself at about the 10 hour mark...and murder was not far from my mind everytime Bill said focus Jayne and breathe.....I was focusing on crushing his well lets not go there...but A really good migrain can top it cuz suicide is a real option in the middle of one of those baby girls
Gotcha Jayne.....I always compared any of my pain to my angina attacks and 2 heart attacks...which were absolutely de-habilitating, and the most intense unbearable thing I have EVER experienced. This definitely were a 10, on the pain scale!
Compared to that , my shoulder was mild 1, 2, 3, when in fact it was a 6 or 7....my comparing my injury pain to the chest pain was NOT the right thing to do. One needs to go by the pain scales in the ER, and stick to em
Lilly
I dont know why but I have never seen a pain scale before. I was just asked Between 1 being hardly any and 10 being cant handle it any more. I have experienced level 10 aaccording to bb and I am usually in 5 - 6 all the time with Jayne's thats without meds. I tried the mobic but makes me feel lightheaded so I quit taking them. I have been taking a vicodin when done work and seems to be ok. Well you's know tollerable I'm never without pain unless sleeping, but even then it wakes me up sometimes and thats with ambien.
But I agree with everyone handles pain different and able to tollerate higher pain levels then someone just new to pain. Not saying it dont hurt cause we all know it does.
wasnt mine Bronco it was one I cut and pasted of ifosters..... but both are good ones pick one, print it off and take with you to doc visits
Thanks Jayne and thank you ifoster.