Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Support Group

HI everyone.... This is the pain scale I would like the group to use, as this will keep us all on the same page when talking to each other....

And the KISS system is..... Keep it simple system.... or as the military would say it.... Keep it simple stupid.... system...... That was not meant for any one that is just what was said when I was in the ARMY.......

So please if you have any comments on this being used as our system for explaining our pain... please let us hear from you....

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.

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 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.

Thanks

Craig

Nice job, Craig! I just ran across a reference which states that the average person goes through life without ever experiencing a pain level higher than 7. Having experienced all pain levels during my 16-yr affair with RSD, it makes sense to me. Might help others gain additiional perspective.

The main reason that pain is so hard to measure, person to person, is the high emotional component of pain as part of the overall pain experience. Everyone has a different emotional "map", so two people, given the exact same degree of pain, often rate their pain level very differently.

But until some bright biophysicist develops a method for measuring pain signals accurately, the McGill scale is as good as it gets, currently.

Howard

HI...thanks Howard......

I have read a lot about the McGill pain scale.... lots of info on that site.....

But I hope that we can all agree to use the 10 point scale to make it simpler for everyone to discribe there pain so everyone can understand..

If any one has a better idea, or comments please post them

thanks...

Craig

I gave birth to almost a 10lbs. baby with no medication at all. The episiotomy was as large as they can cut you and I still tore. So when people ask me what pain number am I at if it's much higher then that pain is when I say a 10. And no I never screamed once giving birth to him. I just kept my mind on breathing but with giving birth you know the pain will eventually end. CRPS does not. By the way I am not quite 5'4" and weighed 110lbs when I got pregnant. Sorry if this grossed anybody out I was just agreeing everybodies pain tolerance is different. I was just saying what I try to compare this pain to. I have had my gall bladder out and a tumor removed from my stomach. After both I only used pain meds. for about 2 days at the most because I hated how they made me feel.

Cindy

I actually use the McGill scale for pain and sensitivity.

Many days my sensitivity is worse than my pain.

Post edited by: sharpchick, at: 04/23/2012 07:20 PM

HI... I am going to say that for the sake of this group we will use the 1 thru 10 scale.... that way we are talking the same language. So please when refering to your pain, use the a "ONE" for no pain..... or "10" pain that is not survivable for more than minutes.....if that.....

I have a small discription of it above.....

Craig

I agree that this should be used here....

However, just a side not. In my opinion, if I walked in to my doctors office and used the actual scale above, they would probably think that I was feeling great when I told them a three. I think they believe anything under a five is tollerable. I wish they had this to refer to... So many people just think any amount of pain is just the worst possible pain. I have been guilty of that once or twice, being in so much pain you think it couldnt get any worse. When your brain starts functioning properly you realize that obviously it could have been worse.

Any way, Thanks Craig.

All women who have given birth naturally have experienced a 10..This is what I use to compare my pain.

HI.... I realize I have never had a child.... but I have watched my ex-wife give birth to 4 children..... AND IT is my belief that if the pain level was a 10, there would never had been a second child..... YES I agree child birth is very painful.....very. BUT not a 10.. A 10 is the pain is so bad, that if lasted more than a few seconds, you would put a gun to your head and end it all....... This is just my opinion.......

Craig

Craig you missed the 10lbs part plus they give you a novicain shot down there before they cut you with scissors. I did not get that and no what I was saying if my pain is worse then that then I might say a 10 for pain. Even the doctor could not believe how well I took giving birth to that big of a baby. Most have a 6 to 8lb. baby and I am a tiny person. Just saying as all don't feel pain the same (and most women are given pain meds. before giving birth or an epidural) not all give birth to the same size baby or have the same kind of contractions.

Cindy