I do locals for dental. Then I again never had dental (including several root canals and an abscressed tooth) that was bad as my routine back pain when not taking Tramadol. So maybe the 7 I'm driving with is a real 7. But who knows?

I find the pain scale unhelpful. I mean, I don't know what it is! I would that the doctors would give me electro-shocks and let me know what is the right level.

Also, I don't know that it takes into account other pain factors-- for example, even though my knee hurt the worst ever, it was really short, where my hip pain is constant. Even the dental pain I can deal with because I know it will end. But on the other hand ear infection pain that feels like someone is shoving a knife in my ear intermittently was somewhat worse that the knee!

Sophia,

usually nurses help you contextualize it see here: [link]

Based on that scale, I had thought my gall bladder pain was a 7, but apparently it was a hard 8 and maybe a 9.

Oh yeah, according to that, I've never had a migraine that was worse than a 4, and I'd still stay home from work! I had some cramps that were a 5 or 6 recently, I guess.

Don't really know how it compares to others. But what I drive with sound like at least a six and maybe a low seven based on that link. That is the level of pain I suffer driving is such that my driving sometimes is unsafe if I try two days in a row, and I definetly don't dare drive three days in row, because the third day with that level of pain there is no sometimes about my driving being unsafe.

The problem with that pain scale for Hubby is that he is known to ignore broken bones and such. He'll try to drive with a dislocated shoulder--granted, not for long--and he has driven with a heart attack. What one person can function through would drop a platoon of Navy SEALS. Well, maybe not them. They'd probably grunt at Hubby in solidarity.

The worst pain I've had is when my back goes out. The worst it's been is probably a 7 (need medication to sleep), although I may have had momentary 9s (uncontrollable crying out -- but only long enough for one cry).

It's a subjective thing. Some people will stay quiet while weasels gnaw their liver, others yell at paper cuts.

Timelies all!

I'm not sure what my pain scale is, but I don't think I've had pain in the 7-8 range.

Anyhow, once Gary gets home we will go out to dinner for our anniversary. Nine years!