Visiting the Doctor
When you go to your doctor with with painful symptoms, how do you describe that pain? Is is a sharp pain? A dull ache? Stabbing? Squeezing? Shooting? Cramping? The possibilities are endless! Then there’s the matter or rating it from 1 to 10…
I have always found it incredibly difficult to reduce my pain into word or a number, and I’m sure a lot of people feel the same way. Studies show that non-male patients notoriously under value their pain, undoubtedly through generations of conditioning and dismissal. It seems that, if one has a uterus, one just has to put up with significant levels of pain for significant portions of ones life and should not complain or question it. It’s a fact of life.
We say NO to pain dismissal!
Clear, direct and honest communication with your doctor is essential in achieving the best care and treatment possible. Don’t be afraid to describe your pain in detail; doctors need to know exactly how you are feeling in order to understand the extent of your condition and to diagnose you successfully.
Before going to see your doctor, think about your symptoms, where in your body you’re experiencing pain, and if the pain radiates elsewhere.
Doctors will often be interested to know:
- How long have you been experiencing the pain?
- Do certain activities make your pain worse or better?
- Are there specific times when the pain is worse or better?
- What measures have you tried so far to manage your pain and did they help or not?
- Can you identify anything in particular that triggers the pain?
- Do you suffer from any other conditions and are you already taking any medication?
Using the Pain Scale
Pain scales will use numbers, images and descriptors to measure pain or pain relief.
Often, doctors will use a numerical pain scale to determine the severity of the patient’s pain. This scale asks patients to rate pain from 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain at all, and 10 being the worst pain possible:
There is also a verbal pain intensity sale where patients can describe the pain (moderate, severe, etc):
A visual analogue scale where patients mark a cross along a 10 cm line to illustrate pain level:
And, finally, there is a “faces” scale which can be used for children:
It is very important to share your medical, social and psychological history with your doctor. This will help them determine if there could be other factors contributing to your pain that may affect which types of treatment could be successful/appropriate for you.
But How Does it Feel…
Earlier I mentioned ‘descriptive’ words to describe pain and, though I was being slightly tongue-in-cheek, having a good idea about the sensation you’re experiencing is really helpful for your doctor, so really think about how the paifeels and how you could best articulate it, e.g. piercing, aching, burning, throbbing, heavy. This information can tell your doctor a huge amount and is not to be undervalued.
Resources for more information on the pain scale
This one from MacMillan, although aimed at cancer patients, has a very useful section on medical terminology for ‘types of pain’, e.g. acute pain, chronic pain, referred pain, which could help you communicate with your doctors.
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/pain
This link from Healthline explains the different pain scales in more detail and help explain how a GP might explain or report pain.
https://www.healthline.com/health/pain-scale
The primary symptom of endometriosis is pain, so it’s important that you understand yours and can communicate as clearly as possible to access the right treatment for you. Remember, you are not an inconvenience, a wimp a hypochondriac; your pain is real and valid.
Only YOU know how it feels. Remember that doctors are there to listen, diagnose and treat your pain, so go out there and tell them about it!
