Hyperbole and a Half's pain scale

[urocyon]

The best graphic pain chart EVER.

I'm glad nobody has ever shown me the one photographed in the ER. If I am in enough pain to actually go and try to get someone to do something about it, and they try to get me to point at that disaster, I might bite them. Seriously.

The numeric scales have always given me problems, unclear as it is what the numbers are supposed to refer to: 10 as the worst pain you've ever experienced, the kind of pain you'd imagine from getting limbs caught in farm machinery or a bus on top of you, or what? Some clarification would be good. Not to mention all the differences in individual perceptions.

One drawback to even the rather hilarious new scale: unless I'm actively throwing up and/or screaming (directly after orthopedic surgery or the like), outwardly it's not going to look higher than a 3 or 4. Yeah, this has worked to my disadvantage, a lot (**); then there's the lack of pissing and moaning.

I guess the ratings should correspond to how you're feeling on the inside. If there's enough perceived disconnect there, that can still prove interesting!

Comments

[phoneutria_fera]

I have trouble rating pain at all, or even perceiving where I feel pain. Numeric charts don't work for me at all, but I doubt a graphic one would.

[urocyon]

Yeah, I run into trouble with rating pain, and sometimes only recognize it when I'm starting to get sick to my stomach. By that point, it's harder to deal with than it would have been if I'd been able to pay attention to it earlier. This is getting a little better with trying to develop better body awareness. Still, it's no wonder my chronic pain is only self-treated.

With your blindness, I hope they wouldn't point you at a graphic chart, but unfortunately wouldn't be too surprised if they did!

[polemista]

Bwahahahaha!!

[polemista]

I'm a bit incoherent today, sorry. The pain scale is hilarious. And I totally agree with you and had similar experiences in hospitals.

[urocyon]

I'm on two different antihistamines, and that didn't seem incoherent. ;)

[randomeducation.livejournal.com]

I could relate to the 'too serious for numbers' bit:)

[urocyon-c.livejournal.com]

Much sympathy, then! :) I particularly liked "I am actively being mauled by a bear."