Pain by the Numbers: Measuring Your Pain

I've been in a lot of pain in the last few years and I've been to many doctors for treatment. My least favorite question to be asked is usually the first one the doctor asks, "On a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst, how would your rate your pain?"

Until recently, I wasn't given any type of scale to base my measurement. Even with the scale I was given it is very subjective; it is based on my personal experience of pain. So the pain level I'm feeling today is measured against all the pain levels I have felt in my life. My idea of a 4 pain level may be your 10 or 2. It all depends on personal experience. This just doesn't seem to be a good way to measure pain.

If I'm given a indicator of how to measure my pain it is usually one of two scales: Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale or the plain old numerical scale of 0 being no pain and 10 the worst pain possible what level are you?

Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale goes from 0 to 5. Zero is a smiley face with the caption "no hurt." One has the a little smaller smile on its face with the caption "hurts a little bit." Two is no longer a smiley face but a face that is grimacing with the caption "hurts a little more." Three is a frowning face with it's eyes shadowed with the caption "hurts even more." Four has an even bigger frown with shadowed eyes and it's eyebrows are at a diagonal "hurts a whole lot." Five has the biggest frown on it's face with the shadowed eyes and the eye brows are resting at a diagonal on the shadowed eyes and eyes are running down it's cheeks with the caption "hurts worst.

To keep my own personal indicator of pain stable, I've had to come up with my own way of determining what pain level may be at any given time. On my scale, Levels 1-3 are mild forms of pain, Levels 4-6 are different strengths of moderate pain, and Levels 7-9 indicates severe pain and Level 10 is extremely severe pain.

I'm sharing my personal pain measurements in hopes of helping others with chronic pain figure out how to answer our least favorite question. Also maybe, my article will get someone out in the medical field to establish easy to understand standard parameters that we all can use.

Level One:

A one would be like an "owie." This is the pain I get from the needle when I test my blood sugars. In other words, it like getting bitten by a small but annoying bug like a mosquito. It is noticeable, but doesn't cause me any lasting pain. This level of pain does not interrupt my life at all.

Level Two:

A two on my pain scale would be something that is slightly painful for awhile but the pain will go away in a day or two. For instance when I burn my tongue because my meal was too hot; it's uncomfortable, but bearable and it is no big deal and is usually gone the next day or the day after. This level of pain is annoying, but it also doesn't interrupt or interfere with my life at all.

Level Three:

A three is a little more intense and the pain last longer, but still bearable. A paper cut on the end of my finger is a level three on my pain scale. It's a short term intense pain, but I'm reminded of the cut every time I accidentally use my finger because the end of my finger is sore. The pain is around for a week or so then, it is gone. This level of pain is a little aggravating, but again it really doesn't interrupt the flow of my life.

Level Four:

At level four I'm getting into a phase where the pain is starting to interfere with how I live my life. I used to like to run around barefoot outside and would occasionally step on something like glass. That cut wouldn't necessarily require a doctor's visit, but I would be limping around for a week or two while I was healing. My life pattern would change a little bit as I accommodated my aching foot.

Level Five:

A five on my pain scale is where I'm in so much pain I'm starting to have bursts of being short tempered and just plain moody. My life is impacted by changes in my relationships with my friends, family and co-workers, and by me trying to find different ways to run my life so I do not cause myself more pain. I sprained the tendons in my arm a couple of months ago. I had to use both hands to lift my drink to my lips. It was annoying and I was frustrated with myself every time I tried to lift anything; which I expressed in being snappy with people.

Level Six:

At level six I'm not only behaving impatiently, but I'm unable to think clearly at times. I'm so busy trying to get free of the pain that I do not have the patience to deal with ordinary issues. Getting a decent night's sleep is nearly impossible. My life is greatly impacted because I'm unable to get past the pain. I have curtailed my activities because I have no choice. I am currently having a lot of pain in my lower back. At this time I my focus has become very narrow. Basically, I'm trying to pretend to be okay and I'm working hard not to moan and groan. I cannot multitask at all. If I am distracted from my current task, I may or may not remember to go back to it. Writing becomes very difficult at this stage. What normally would take a day or so will take a week or so to write.

Level Seven:

At seven the pain is so overwhelming that it is pretty much all I can think about. I get confused very easily and even basic information such as what day of the week today is can escape me. I pretty much spend my day doing extremely basic tasks and concentrate on not screaming. Normal household chores are beyond me. Writing one article may take a month because I cannot focus.

Level Eight:

An eight on my pain scale is the beginning of a waking nightmare. I'm in so much pain that I have lost my sweet and helpful personality. I turn into a person who doesn't like anybody and doesn't put a lot of effort into being friendly much less helpful. It's at this point I start talking to God about either healing me or letting me die soon. Life isn't much fun and when I'm at level eight I do not see any hope for the future. I can not enjoy life. I personally am not suicidal but I could see how someone at this level start thinking about it. I am not able to write at all at this stage.

Level Nine:

A nine is a nightmare. I want relief from the pain NOW!!! I'm no longer asking God politely for help. When I'm at a level nine, I'm demanding that I be healed today, or let me die TODAY!!!! At level nine I'm in so much pain that I can not tell what part of my body actually hurts. It's totally overwhelming and too much too handle. Again, I'm not suicidal, but if someone is constantly and consistently at level nine I'm sure it's on their mind. At this stage I'm not able to work at all. I am bedridden and need extra sleep to escape the pain.

Level Ten:

On my pain scale a ten is totally beyond my imagination. I believe that at a ten a person would be unconscious from the pain. I've come close enough to a ten to know that it's not something a human being can tolerate and remain conscious.

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Source: Personal experience of being chronically ill for over a decade.