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Does anyone keep a Pain Journal

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 1/31/2008 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
How many of you provide your doc with a monthly pain journal...

Ive been doing one so far this month to show my doc to work out a better plan for me..

Posted 1/31/2008 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I started about 2 months ago. I don't journal every day since it makes me feel like I am dwelling in the negative. I am going to see a new PM doctor on Monday, so this will help out with relaying info to him. I has opened my eyes a bit by doing it since before when my Dr. would ask me what my pain level was on average I would say "I dunno, maybe 4 to 4-1/2" now that I keep track it is actually more like 6-7 with meds.
Posted 1/31/2008 9:29 AM (GMT 0)
You know, I never have kept one. Its probably a great idea to do that. Thanks for brining up this thread!
Posted 1/31/2008 10:06 AM (GMT 0)
Honestl its really opened my eyes to how bad my situation is...when you look back at one week of the problems overcome and the amount of pain..its amazing..and hopefully it will be a useful tool for my Doc and get him to be a little more understanding...I am by far the youngest person at my PM office and I get allot of grief for it...How can age be a factor here...I dont get it...
Posted 1/31/2008 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
I totally get that...I'm 28 and get eyed all the time. I think the younger you are the more suspicous you seem. In my opinion every pm doc and nurses keep there eyes so wide open for any little sign what so ever that someone may be drug seeking. I think the younger you are the more they keep an eye on you. They may figure someone much older may not be at more risk...but thats totally BS. I dont know if thats what you mean, but thats what I think I
Posted 1/31/2008 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
oops
Thats what I think I get alot. Alot of the older patients look at me and shake there heads as if to say its such a shame and I'm too young to need that kind of medical care. I guess in there eyes thats very true Epecially at my urologist..I am by far the youngest person in the waiting room and I can see peoples minds working over time trying to figure out what I could be doing there!
Posted 1/31/2008 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
I do!  And, what I do when I go and see my doctor---is "bullet" the common pains I have felt for the period of time---b/c my doctor has NO INTEREST in 'seeing' my journal for some reason.............by "bulleting' the pains---I just highlight the common pains I feel everyday---and if there is a weird pain somewhere in there---I put that down too!  I think they are great for seeing a pattern, etc.... especially b/c I can't remember the days--as they go by~ :-)
Posted 1/31/2008 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
I was told to keep one when one of my medications was causing horrible headaches-the prescribing doctor told me to write down what time I had a headache and what number on the pain scale. Two months later when I went back to see the doctor I did not bring the journal as my headaches had stopped. He said he tells all of his patients to do that and no one had ever brought him their journal.

Having said that I think they are great when the pain is new, varies a lot and is just being diagnosed-less helpful when the pain is constant the source is known and you have had it for a long time.
Posted 1/31/2008 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
It is also helpful to keep one if you are going to be seeing a new doctor. I never kept one with my original doctor, but now that I will be seeing a different doctor next week I have kept track of a week or so.
Posted 2/1/2008 10:20 AM (GMT 0)
I guess pain is so relative. I always wonder what my pain would feel like to someone else. Would they think it is as devestating as it is to me or do I just have a lower pain threshhold...Does anyone else ever wonder that? Women are supposed to have a higher pain threshold because of child bearing. But still I never know exactly how to rate my pain with the scale. I guess because they ask and never seem to take it into much account unless your about to pass out on the floor!
Posted 2/2/2008 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
They should use a little common sense. They should take one look at the pile of medical bills we each have or have had at one point and realize drug seekers would be getting there drugs on the street not putting themselves in unbelievable debt trying to get help...
Posted 2/2/2008 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I keep a journal, but not for my Dr or anyone, just as a release valve. Funny, but I just posted something from my journal here in this forum, fwiw. A bunch more is in my blog, but it's been down a bit this evening. Please mosey over to my latest post (after 6 months of silence here, at least!).

As for the DR's & others not 'getting it' and looking for the 'pill seeker' blame the legislators & the FDA -- they're the ones who've made it a crime to prescribe certain drugs 'in excess'. We need a legislator to craft a law that would not lump all pain meds users into one kettle of fish. But yes, it does drive me crazy (well, it used to, I don't even bother trying to explain my pain, I just say 'oh it's better than usual, maybe a 5 today' and even if they press I stare at them like I'm about to pass out (defocused gaze helps do that ;} ) and they move on to the next thing.

But I now get my care from the VA, and I have to say that so far, I've not had ANY trouble getting what I need. In fact, they wanted me to start oxycontin but I told them I'm holding off on that till absolutely necessary... They keep in my tramadol and I buy my own Cymbalta (in Canada for $154 for 3 months, when Walmart wants $250 for 1 month!) as the VA doesn't supply it yet.

But I digress...I've always felt that journalling, unlike a diary, should be not just a recitation of events & details, but reflection on the meaning and meaninfulness of them. It is funny too, to go back and look at something I wrote 25 years ago-- wow, scarey to think of how I used to think LOL.
Posted 2/2/2008 9:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Obtuse!
I'm somewhat new to the forum..I'm glad to meet another cp poster!
I'm so glad the VA is so successful for you. My family is a military one and I've heard horror stories...but its nice to know that those stories dont include everyone.
You know what I've found helpful...doing an online blog. You get to vent and hopefully help a couple people who might wander onto it. Its a great release and keeps track of the days. Am I allowed to say the online site that lets you set one up for free?? I better not, dont wanna break any forum rules. But its been great for me! I wanted to post my online blog site in my signature but i dont know if that is allowed either:(
I do the same as you do...not even bother going into am explination anymore. I always say...I'm having a though time but dealing with it...It moves em on pretty quick. I try to save any explinations for the pain that I feel just may kill me!
Is canada like europe with medications...you can but them in the pharmacy without a script. I'm so irked that were the only country that had private insurance and some people cant get the meds they need. Over to the East for the most part all you have to do is show up at the pharmacy and they asses you there. The US should take a lesson...
Posted 2/2/2008 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hazelb: I think you found out already, but personal blog (that are not commercial in nature) I think are fine.

The Canadian pharmacy needs an Rx and it takes longer to get it (manufactured in India, mailed to Germany, and then to me, less chance of interdiction that way I presume). I couldn't believe that I would pay $750 for 3 months at discounted Walmart prices, and $154(US) via the Canadian pharmacy. Unreal.

I look forward to reading your blog, so where is it? :}
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