To wish that we all had pain gauges on our forehead

[SEsofty]

Currently in huge amount of pain with long term condition. So bad on really strong painkillers and can barely walk

But I look normal

So really hard to explain to other people and medical professionals how bad the pain is

So Aibu to wish that we all had a pain gauge on our forehead that everyone could see and then would be obvious

I have eds/fibro/chronic pain and yep totally agree with this!

I'm the same . I find it really difficult to get across how much pain I'm in so I don't bother, and I worry people would get fed up with me moaning if I tried. It's very hard.

I agree x

Yip me too. RA/Fibro/CFS chronic pain is sooooo hard to explain, especially the emotional side where I burst into tears at silliest if things. It's the cumulative & non relenting effect it has on you.

It would make things so much more clear. If we could include energy levels too please?

I have chronic conditions and even on my best day am in lots of pain I am regularly so weary that I feel drunk and begin to shake (like my limbs won't hold me up) but I look "normal" and on days when my hands can't hold the walking stick because I'm young(ish) it wouldn't occur to anyone I'm not ok.

I don't talk about it very often because there's no point.

I have ASD and I don’t think my pain looks as bad as it is. One time I was admitted, the doctor said Well is question how bad it is but you’re saying it’s an 8/10, you’re a nurse, you should know. It’s a nice sunny Sunday afternoon so you wouldn’t be here unless you really needed to be. I’ve had a variety of issues where I’ve been fobbed off for ages because they didn’t believe the severity of my pain.

How about a car dashboard approach, with lights that flash for problems

Would be great for children too

A great idea. Wish there was one for low mood. It would need to be shielded though and everyone must have one so no stigma but I can show the people close to me/medical professionals the mental pain.

That would be great. DD was having tummy pains last night and it is so hard to tell wether it is some thing that needs a hot water bottle or more serious.

I've always thought it would be useful if we could temporarily transfer our pain to someone else for diagnostic or empathetic purposes. It would be useful for people who can't talk and doctors wouldn't need to rely on us describing it correctly. However, it would be a hard and painful life being a doctor if we did this!!!

YANBU! I'm a rheumatoid arthritis sufferer. Recent flare in my feet rendered me pretty useless for at least 4 weeks to varying degrees. Colleague questioned my tentative walk up the stairs, so I told him why. He said, 'oh, you need to get one of these metal bracelets! I'm like that in the mornings, but get this on and I'm as right as rain!'

Ok then, why on earth didn't I think of that!!

However, YABU slightly, because one look at my face and my growling at work is quite enough for most of my colleagues to know to stay well back!