Describing pain

Many people when asked by a doctor “what does the pain feel like?” are baffled by this seemingly redundant question, as if the doctor should automatically know what the pain feels like. A doctor has good reason to ask, but sadly often patients are unable to describe in words or express the pain and how it manifests itself. However, there are many kinds of pain, and the varying types can indicate what is actually happening, giving a good indication to the doctor, where to start from, which tests to run and what the diagnosis is likely to be. Having lived with pain my entire life, I am an old hand at describing the pain I am in. Pain is very tiring and wearing, and being in pain constantly for the past 7 days, I am exhausted. The sharp throbbing doesn’t let up, and when I move my arm, the sharpest of pain pierces my arm making me gasp for breath. Of course everyone’s idea of pain is different, and the pain threshold can vary considerably – there are no standards or guidelines to follow, pain is individual and everyone reacts in their own way. Being born and growing up in England, my British stoic nature often confuses doctors, for they do not realise how bad the pain is and to what extent I am suffering, therefore communication with your doctor is of the utmost importance.