Pain is an uncomfortable feeling that can vary in intensity. It’s important to talk openly about your pain with your doctor. For instance, if you have a condition that causes pain, like fibromyalgia, sharing your medical history will help the physician figure out a treatment plan that works for you.
Be Open
Pain can affect you physically, emotionally and mentally. It can make you withdraw from social activities and make completing daily tasks difficult. But you are not alone. Pain management Jacksonville FL, doctors help you manage your pain and get back to living your life. The key to good communication with your doctor is openness. Let your doctor know how your pain is impacting your daily life. Tell them how you’ve had to cancel plans or give up some of your favorite hobbies because of the pain and how much it has impacted your sleep. Be specific about your short and long-term goals for pain management, and ask for an honest assessment of your progress. Your doctor can better help you if they have all of the information.
Be Specific
At some point, your doctor may ask how you would rate your pain on a scale of 1 to 10. These types of questions can be loaded and feel very subjective. However, your physician needs to understand the level of pain you are experiencing and what that pain feels like. A doctor can use your descriptions to help determine a diagnosis and prescribe the right medication for you. It is also important to share with your doctor the location of the pain, how long it has been there and what makes it better or worse. Using descriptive words such as stinging, throbbing, burning, sharp and shooting pain can help your doctor better grasp the intensity of your symptoms.
Share Your Facial Expressions
Healthcare professionals will most likely take your pain seriously when they see it in your face. When you are not in a good mood or showing signs of emotional distress, they may assume your pain isn’t real or doesn’t affect you that much. Pain is an incredibly individualized experience. What one person feels as a 1, another might consider a 10. A daily pain diary can help your doctor understand that your pain isn’t just a number or a facial expression.
Bring a Friend or Family Member
When people are in pain, they often worry about losing their independence or becoming isolated. The good news is that many treatments can help patients maintain a full lifestyle while living with pain. Having a friend or family member accompany you to your appointment can help you remember any questions you may have for the doctor. Additionally, they can assist in taking notes on any directions or information the doctor provides. Plus, they can advocate for you if your physician is blowing you off or not listening to your concerns. If you bring a loved one to the appointment, list their critical health information, including any medications they take (including over-the-counter and herbal medicines) and a record of past surgeries and diseases. It will ensure they get all the answers they need.
Be Patient
Pain is the body’s alarm system, sending messages between specialized nerves to signal something is wrong. It can be sharp, shooting, throbbing, burning or dull and may last for a short time (acute pain) or continue for months or years (chronic pain). Be patient when describing your pain to your doctor. The medical community uses a pain scale of 1-10 to measure pain intensity, but your personal experience may differ from that of other people. Sharing how pain limits your daily activities is helpful for your pain specialist to understand its impact on you. However, remember that doctors are not experts in pain’s emotional and mental effects. They are trained in how to diagnose and treat physical pain. Therefore, they will need to hear you about your symptoms.
