maybe an odd question...but i thought it would be a good one for people like us in chronic pain.

do you think the average pain scale works for us?

for me, the answer is no.

i have had pain since i was 12. it's always there in some level.

my worst pain to date was when i had my son. it was an emergancy c-section and i wasn't put under after the dr said it was a boy. that was my 9. 10 for me would a painful death. unrecoverable pain.

it makes it hard for me to be compassionate when my husband has a sore shoulder from working out or sleeping wrong. you would think someone had sliced open his belly and yanked out a 9lb'er.

i'm kinda whiney. got the bone grinding on bone right now. grrrrrr..it just grates on every nerve. i move and i feel it everywhere. i'll get through it. i need to get some pounds off. i know that will help my back. 20lbs.

I agree with you on the pain scale. I also have been in pain all my life...Spina Bifida...so when a doc asks me where my pain is I look at him and usually say...not sure...let me think on it.

I have had to push my pain back if you know what I mean, to be able to function.

Whenever we go on a road trip or doing other tasks when I am not able to medicate my pain, I fall a part within miles of our home. The pain catches up with me and wow...

I once told a doc when he asked where my pain was and I said 10+ and he said that if my pain was that bad I should be crying...I told him I was crying inside and will really cry when I get to my car...

Therefore, I guess my answer would be no the pain scale does not apply to everyone!

I hope your pain is something you can deal with today...

hi Tamiloo and Olhipie ...

I think that I'm in denial still ... seems like I'm always in pain - and try to stay busy with quilting or checking on yous on NT ...

but if I sit too long -- then stand up >>> STIFF ... then I have to concentrate on each step I take not to falter ...

then my legs hurt all the more (like when you are sitting and a child gets 'heavy' on your lap) .. that's what it feels like while I'm standing ... and if I stand in one spot too long - like doing dishes ... I'm STIFF .. and can't turn on a dime .. need to go and sit ...

when I'm lying down - my legs go to sleep and my hip locks up that I have to wake up to grasp my leg to move it (to wake it up) to get into another position ...

when I sit - my arms feel like weights .. and I've noticed that by raising my arms over my head and clasping my hands on my head - relieves it ...

taking no pain meds ... but the neuro prescribed me Lyrica 50mg .. been reading what peops are saying ... not sure if I want to go that route yet ...

spending time alone and at home - helps me control my *issues* ...

Vonn, so sorry you are having such a hard time...you are so amazing in all that you do!!

I'm having one of those days when if it doesn't really need to be done well, its not going to get done. Just tiding up a little for the sabbath.

The wind is blowing and wow...it puts me down. I need to shower and don't want to. It makes me so weary.

I know my honey...Olhipie will want me to take him for a drive...to get his usual ice cream cone and to pick up some groceries for Sunday dinner...

Hope your day can somehow get better...prayers to ya!!

thanks, Tamiloo ... I'm doing okay - thank you for letting me vent about my pain - I try not to think about it or say anything to anyone ... but yet, the SSDI people still feel that I should be able to work a full-time, even a part-time position because of my age and education ...

I wish I could - but everyday is different and it's so hard to anticipate .. does that make sense??

hope you and Olhipie got to go out for ice cream ... I just had my ice cream drumstick ... I like my ice cream too!!

have a wonderful Sabbath!

Vonn, haven't gone for the ice cream yet. Hey, the Olhipie retired from Nestle' Foods when his MS made working traveling impossible. He was their Sales Manager and Campus recruiter...in fact the drumstick is a regular in our frig!!

I had to lay down after my shower so now I'm ready for the rest of our day!!

You also have a good Sabbath

20mgs of vicodin and 150 of Tramadol has made it tolerable today for me...my GS...had his BDay party...I'm now home and another 10 mgs of vicodin...

I did not take anything for a long time, I just gritted and let the tears roll ...now I take it when I need it...else I wind up in the ER...

I've had people tell me I can't be in that much pain if I can still do what needs to be done...

I held my right hand with my left...can't go to jail for assault, wouldn't set a good example. lol

I hope olehippie get his ice cream...my DH loves to go get us ice cream from Dairy Queen. lol