I have beef with the numeric pain scale
How does someone quantify a subjective experience?
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Every time I go to the doctor with an injury, I’m asked the same question: “On a scale of 1 to 10, how much does it hurt?”
I’ve always found this interesting, because how does someone quantify pain?
I have always had an extremely high pain tolerance as someone living with Gaucher disease. If I pretend I don’t hurt, then I don’t. Of course, that only works to a certain extent.
My sister and I often discuss what the most painful thing a human can endure is. Having given birth to several children, she will explain to me how much childbirth hurts. Of course, in a typical younger sibling manner, I run straight to Google. No one can say for sure what the most painful experience is, but experts generally agree that childbirth is up there.
Many also believe that one of the most agonizing injuries a person can sustain is a broken femur. I can attest to that.
On a scale of 1 to broken femur …
Last October, I traveled to Rome the day before I turned 31 and was in an accident that left me with a broken femur. I was in an out-of-this-world, “Why haven’t I passed out, for the love of God?” amount of pain.
I arrived at the emergency room wearing a nice dress, tights and Chelsea boots, and with a femur that was, unfortunately, in two separate pieces. The triage doctor looked at my leg, then my boot, then directly at me. I realized in that moment what was about to happen, and in Spanish and half-broken Italian, I began pleading “no.” But the doctor pulled my Chelsea boot off, and down with it went my femur.
I never exaggerate my pain, scream, or plead. That night, however, will forever live rent-free in my mind. That injury became my new definition of a 10 on the pain scale. Everything I’ve experienced since then is inevitably compared with the pain of my broken femur.
So now, when a doctor asks me to rate my pain, I don’t know how to answer. I always think, “Well, I’ve felt a 10. Anything less than that is just an annoyance.” After studying my X-rays, the ER doctors look bewildered when I say a bone fracture or break doesn’t really hurt that much.
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to answer this question. To me, pain is subjective and cannot be measured on a numeric scale. Who am I to say that my experiences are more or less painful than someone else’s?
Every person’s pain scale will be different based on their individual tolerance and experience. In my case, how about I measure my pain against that of a broken femur? At least then I’d know what I’m working with.
Note: Gaucher Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Gaucher Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Gaucher disease.
