Using A Pain Diary

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Using

A Pain Diary

A

valuable tool for those experiencing chronic pain.

By

Rhonda Graham

InteliHealth Staff Writer

You know you hurt, but

finding a way to help your doctor diagnose the reason for your pain can be

difficult. Sometimes, you can't find the right words, or you've forgotten

exactly how long you've been experiencing the discomfort.

In many cases, by the

time you schedule a doctor's visit, you've forgotten other important details

about your pain. For instance, if the pain comes and goes, you may have

forgotten the degree of the pain, whether or not the pain moves, or if it

occurs in response to some action you perform.

Keeping a written record

of your pain — sometimes referred to as a pain diary — can help

lead to a more prompt diagnosis. Write down when you experience pain, describe

how it feels and record any drugs you take. If writing is too painful, keep a

small tape recorder on hand. You can have a relative or friend transcribe your

comments if necessary.

This type of

documentation may help your doctor determine the cause of your pain and the

best initial treatment.

Describing

your pain. Here are some terms

the American Pain Foundation recommends that you use to help describe the

uncomfortable feelings and sensations commonly called pain.

Aching,

dull, sore, pressing, deep, gnawing

On

the surface, tender, pinching, sharp

Burning,

pins and needles, prickling, shooting, electric

Stabbing,

pounding, throbbing, pulsing, crushing

Crampy, knotlike,

stretching, tight

You may find these

terms useful when filling out a pain diary, such as the one below. You can

print the diary and use it as a record. It may be especially helpful to show

the pain diary to your doctor and discuss your experiences with pain.

When did the pain begin?

When did the pain end?

Where did you hurt? (In one place, or did the

pain move?)

What did the pain feel like?

What drugs, if any, did you take for the pain?

Did the drugs help?

Hugs,

Deanna