I don't know how to rate my pain I guess. When I go to the docs and they ask it is so hard. Mine raises for sure with activity but sometimes there is no connection. I will just get a huge flare up. I give you credit for mowing but there is no way for me. I can't push anything heavy or lift. I am walking 20minutes now and errands but things like housecleaning or a lot of bending is a no. Other things like biking too is a no. I do push like today did way to much and felt the pain.My issue is the inner ankles and legs but now have a back issue too. For me I have to find the balance. When I joined this forum I was in bed full days in pain and now can walk like I said 20 minute and out errands etc. I remember last year the doc said I had to learn to live with my pain and I was like no way in hell but I have realized what is the alternative to go back to bed like last year and no way. Sorry this is off base. I guess for me I pick the things I can do and the others I let go or have others do. To be honest though before the pn I would of not mowed the lawn but I was super active at the gym etc. My goal is to just be able to do normal things like work,school,social and be in tolerable pain. Feel better.

I have to add here, the changing pains. One time it will be one area, then next, it is somewhere else. Last week, I had this, what I can only refer to as cramping sensation in my right hip. It came and went, but was mostly happening at work. On and off, all week. Then on Friday, my day off, of course, it seemed to radiate down the outside of my leg and I had this terrible burning sensation just below my knee. I couldn't sit and read, play guitar, nothing--I could not concentrate on anything but the burning. If I walked a bit, it would let up, then it would come back, full force. Toward evening, I was reading a magazine and came to the computer to research an interesting looking website, leaned froward to turn on the lamp and these intense electrical shocks zapped the inside of my hip joint, same hip. They were so painful, I tried to get up and walk it off and I could not move. After they stopped, I'm not sure if they numbed the nerve, or snapped it to attention, or what, but the hip felt better. It's still tender, but not spasming anymore. Is ok though, now my shoulder is hurting! It just moved to a new location!

It's true Daniella. We have to learn our limits. Somethings we can let go, somethings we can learn a new way of doing, and some we can ask help with. I used to love to move the furniture all the time, I never move it anymore. Now though, I am listening to more and more music. I am growing flowers from seeds. And, even though I do have carpal tunnel and it does work against me somewhat, I am learning to play guitar. Neuropathy will not win.

Your post reminded me of a pain-scale I stumbled-over on the internet one day. You can see it at:
tipna.org/info/documents/ComparativePainScale.htm

The descriptors used in that pain scale appealed to me.
- Pain scoring 10/10 causes you to go unconcious.
- Pain of 1/10 equates to a mosqito bite.
- Somewhere in the middle the pain the causes you difficulty
with doing your job.

So far with PN I guess I am running around 3 to 4. I suppose I should count myself lucky.

Best wishes,
Steve

I guess i'm a freak,cause even tho i'm comatose I still feel this ruddy pain 24/7..~~ Liz.~~

Please use Search on People's Pharmacy and type in Ivory soap. I have a friend whose husband had severe leg cramps at night. She put a bar of Ivory soap under the sheets of their bed at night and he does not have leg cramps anymore. Doesn't make sense but this was addressed in a People's Pharmacy column.

Matia,
The pain scale that is most commonly used by docs
is the Mankoski (or Mankowski) pain scale.
If I can find it in my files, I'll copy and paste it.
But.... that is the one where a 10 is unconsciousness,
9 is excruciating with constant migraines of an unbearable level,
and so on down the line. Most who claim to be at a 10 level,
who aren't really aware of this scale, are probably at
a 7 or 8 on the Mankoski scale.

I found it:

Mankoski Pain Scale
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1997 Andrea Mankoski. All rights reserved.
Right to copy with attribution freely granted.

0-- Pain Free No medication needed.

1-- Very minor annoyance - occasional minor twinges. No medication needed.

2-- Minor annoyance - occasional strong twinges. No medication needed.

3-- Annoying enough to be distracting. Mild painkillers are effective. (Aspirin, Ibuprofen.)

4 --Can be ignored if you are really involved in your work, but still distracting.
Mild painkillers relieve pain for 3-4 hours.

5-- Can't be ignored for more than 30 minutes.
Mild painkillers reduce pain for 3-4 hours.

6-- Can't be ignored for any length of time, but you can still go to work and participate in social activities.
Stronger painkillers (Codeine, Vicodin) reduce pain for 3-4 hours.

7-- Makes it difficult to concentrate, interferes with sleep You can still function with effort.
Stronger painkillers are only partially effective.
Strongest painkillers relieve pain (Oxycontin, Morphine)

8-- Physical activity severely limited. You can read and converse with effort.
Nausea and dizziness set in as factors of pain.
Stronger painkillers are minimally effective.
Strongest painkillers reduce pain for 3-4 hours.

9-- Unable to speak. Crying out or moaning uncontrollably - near delirium.
Strongest painkillers are only partially effective.

10-- Unconscious. Pain makes you pass out. Strongest painkillers are only partially effective.