Re: Pain Scale to

[Guest guest]

,

I saw your post where you commented on the pain scale and what does that really

mean. It means that the medical profession who have never had pain has no clue.

( smile !).

Jerry sent this a while back. They use this alot for Chronic pain patients. I

like to tell them my pain level is at 100, but they don't find it amuzing. They

are very serious when it comes to pain levels as it is a medical/legal issue

these days.

Lily

Pain Scale

I had this pain scale definition stored on my hard drive. Some of you new

folks might benefit from the in-depth explanations. I think it was originally

displayed by the SORCE-P group.

Jerry/NC

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0 - Pain Free - No medication needed.

1 - Very minor annoyance - occasional minor twinges - minor aches to

some parts of the body. No medication needed.

2 - Minor annoyance - occasional strong twinges - dull aches to some

parts of the body. No medication needed.

3 - Annoying enough to be distracting - Over-the-Counter pain

relievers (such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen Sodium,

Acetaminophen, or topical treatments such as Absorbine or Arthritis

Pain relieving rubs) take care of it.

4 - Can be ignored if you are really involved in your work, but still

distracting. Mild (over-the-counter) painkillers relieve pain for 3-

4 hours.

5 - Can't be ignored for more than 30 minutes. Mild painkillers

(over-the-counter) help somewhat (bring pain level from a 5 to a 3 or

4) 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

(Ultram, Vicodin, Codeine) reduce pain for 3-4 hours.

7 - Makes it difficult to concentrate, interferes with sleep. You

can still function with effort. Stronger painkillers (Ultram,

Vicodin, Codeine) 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 (Ultram, Vicodin, Codeine) are minimally

effective. Strongest painkillers (Oxycontin, Morphine) reduce pain

somewhat.

9 - Non-functional for all practical purposes. Cannot concentrate.

Physical activities halted. Strongest painkillers (Oxycontin,

Morphine) are only partially effective.

10 - Totally non-functional. Crying out or moaning uncontrollably.

Strongest painkillers (Oxycontin, Morphine) are only partially