1. Tolerable pain: I can still participate in and perform daily tasks, but it will take me longer than a “normal” person.
2. Tolerable pain, but uncomfortable: I can still function, but I'm becoming highly uncomfortable. More rest periods are needed and I'm probably not going to be able to complete everything on my to-do list.
3. Somewhere between uncomfortable and intolerable: At this point I'm fighting to get things done. I don't want the pain to win, but I'm quickly becoming exhausted.
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INTOLERABLE PAIN: This is when I will eventually cry, say I'm done and go to bed until I can function again. Pain at this level begins to drain the life out of me and I can no longer complete every task I want to do, but sometimes I do manage a few simple tasks before I retreat.
5. THE PAIN WINS: If I go to the doctor or I'm forced to the emergency room and they ask me what my pain level is, this is when I say it's a 10. I'm done at this point. I feel I'm better off dead than experiencing this amount of pain. I can no longer think straight or function. I can barely walk or talk. I'm beyond miserable and I either want to pass out or die. I'm up for anything that will stop the pain.
Those who don't know chronic pain may feel that the last one is a little dramatic. I won't argue. All I'll say is I hope you never have to feel it. If you have chronic pain and you feel it's dramatic then you better start preparing yourself now. I was once there and thought these people are just seeking attention or something, and then I got hit with reality. I've been sick for 20 plus years and I assure you, it catches up with