Chronic Pain Wiki>This page is a place to share ideas and resources related to coping with pain. Please add your own suggestions and resources by editing the page.
Contents |
[edit] Suggestions
Keep a pain diary. The diary may include things like:
- Where does it hurt?
- Does it hurt more when you move?
- Does it hurt more or less at certain times of the day?
- What makes it feel better, what makes it feel worse?
- Describe what your pain feels like.
- Rate your pain 1-10, 10 being the worst pain you've ever had.
- Understanding Pain Assessment
- Understanding Opioid Analgesics
- Brief Pain Inventory
- Pain Worksheet
- Pain Diary
- Pain Diary 2
- Pain Management Kit
- Daily Pain Diary
Exercise and keep moving, use it or lose it! Discuss with your doctor first to see what works best for you and that you are healthy enough.
Take and active role in your rehabilitation and therapy.
Join a support group, talk about your pain ignoring it won't make it go away.
Find a good doctor willing to work with you in finding the best program to manage your pain.
Remember, there is hope, you don't have to suffer.
[edit] Pain Scale
Pain scales are a tool to help express your level of pain to your healthcare providers. They are often part of a pain diary but can also be used alone. There are many different versions out there, some use numbers, other faces. One I like to use was developed for people with Chronic Pain. I do not know the author, it's been in my files for so long. I would suggest you make sure all your doctors have a copy of the scale you use so everyone can be on the same page when it comes to discussing your level of pain.
A Chronic Pain pain scale, seems to fit better for those with chronic pain than 'normal' charts.
Pain Scale
0 - Pain Free
1 - Very minor annoyance - mild aches to some parts of the body. Most likely will ignore it and go about usual lifestyle.
2 - Minor annoyance - dull aches to some parts of the body. Will probably ignore it for the most part, though may take mild meds. If experienced with higher pain levels may begin to worry about escalating pain.
3 - Annoying enough to be distracting. May take mild meds. May be unusually cross with lowered frustration tolerance. If experienced with higher levels, will probably start worrying about escalating pain and may try to head it off with things that have worked in the past.
4 - Can be ignored if really involved in work, but still distracting. May start seeking relief in meds, ice, heat. May be cranky or sarcastic, but will do best to hide pain. Frustration control level probably dropping. Will probably start heading off escalation if experienced. Mild depression may start if constant.
5 - Can't be ignored for more than 30 minutes. Starts actively looking for relief with meds, heat, ice; probably complaining of pain. Will probably shift and change position often. May occasionally grimace, but will try to cover it up. May start to curtail activities if constant. May be short of temper. Depression may be becoming an issue.
6 - Can't be ignored for any length of time, but may still be able go to work and participate in social activities, at least for short periods of time, but probably won't be fully involved. May shift position often. May start moving or rubbing hurting area. May suddenly gasp or groan with pain, but if used to this level of pain may put on good front, may even laugh and try to hide pain. Seriously seeking relief in meds, heat, ice. May start complaining of pain. Probably beginning to suffer with depression if pain is consistent.
7 - Makes it difficult to concentrate, interferes with sleep. May cry or moan in sleep and wake several times a night. May wake with gritty, puffy eyes. May need meds to sleep. Can still partially function with effort and may still participate and even laugh somewhat if used to this level of pain to try to keep people from seeing pain, but may also grimace or look grim if thinks no one is watching. Has feelings of exhaustion, lack of full interest in usual activities, but may try to participate particularly if someone is expecting participation. May avoid activities known to generate pain. May subconsciously massage hurting area. May have sudden movements to relieve shooting pain. May huff and grunt with movement, evident even during phone conversation. Voice may fluctuate and may be short and cranky. May clench teeth/jaw. May pace. Will shift position, rearrange legs or arms often, stretch or twist neck or limbs. May alternate standing and sitting a lot. May have trouble expressing ideas, may use unusually simple vocabulary from normal and have difficulty finding words, even for well-known subjects. Has difficulty concentrating, solving relatively simple problems. May become very quiet or start seeking comfort from partner or parent. Will probably engage in "clock watching" for next dose of meds. Will probably take extra breakthrough meds. Seeking sources of relief with a hint of desperation. BP may start to elevate slightly. Depression probably becoming quite evident and in need of treatment if pain at this level is persistent.
8 - Physical activity severely limited. Can read and converse with effort for short periods. May clench teeth/jaw. Sleep patterns will be disturbed. Will cry and moan in sleep. Will wake often. May need sedation to sleep. May still try to hide pain, but will probably grimace or look grim. Will probably be very cranky and sensitive. May seek comfort from partner or parent. Probably will subconsciously rub or massage area hurting. Huffing and grunting noises will be evident with movement. Will avoid activities that are known pain generators. May pace if ambulatory. Can't sit, stand, or lay down comfortably, shifts position constantly, may rock back and forth. May lose track of conversation, might appear confused, often can't find words even for well-known subjects. Getting desperate for relief. Will look at watch often or "clock watch" for time to take meds, but may completely lose track of time. May start considering going to ER or will take extra breakthrough meds. BP may be elevated. May start talking of cutting off offending body part or killing self in the abstract. Probably severely depressed if this level is often or persistent.
9 - Non functional for all practical purposes. Cannot concentrate. Physical activity pretty much halted. May rock back and forth. Can't sleep or will need significant sedation to sleep. Panic may set in. BP may elevate. Possible crying, sweating or feeling cold, shaking uncontrollably, teeth clenching. Can't sit, stand, or lay down. Will probably pace if ambulatory. Pretty much total loss of ability to concentrate or follow conversation. May use simple vocabulary from normal or become unusually quiet and uncommunicative. May beg for relief. May talk of shooting self or cutting off offending body part with some conviction. May start appearing shocky. Beyond depression into possible active suicidal ideation if pain is persistent or often. May accidentally overdose if meds available trying to relieve pain.
10 - Totally non-functional. Unable to speak. Crying out or moaning uncontrollably - may be near delirium. BP probably elevated. Probably shaking uncontrollably, teeth severely clenched or chattering, feeling cold but may be sweaty and clammy. Can't get comfortable at all. Will beg for relief if able to speak. May be in danger of going into shock. Suicide often seen as a viable option. May accidentally overdose trying to relieve pain.
Other pain scales include
- Randall Chronic Pain Scale This one can be personalized.
- Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs
- Visual Scale
[edit] See Also
- 10 Steps To Overcoming Chronic Pain
- How To Cope With Pain - Tips on breathing and relaxation exercises, stress management, guided imagery and more.
- The Spoon Theory - An excellent story to help explain what it's like to live with CP.
- National Pain Foundation
- Surviving A Loved Ones CP - A guide for the family and friends of pain patients.