Pain threshold

[Sailorluna]

I am just curious - do you think that us chronies have a unusually high pain threshold?

It is very rare that I talk about pain, I just deal with it. I don't even mention it to my husband unless it is really bad.

I hear regular folks with a sore arm (etc) acting like they are at deaths door.

Are we just use to it? Can we tolerate more pain? What do you think?

 

[Manzyb]

My husband and I were just discussing this a little earlier. I think that we just are able to cope with the amount of pain we are in. We probably do have a somewhat higher pain tolerance since we are exposed to it often.

Right after I woke up from my surgery, I was begging them to help me because I was in so much pain. My mom told them that I must really be in pain because I never talk about it hurting!

Anyway, I think we may just be use to it?

 

[NikiB]

Very intersting! I've wondered the same thing myself. I also think that our tolerance for pain is higher because we're exposed to it more often than most. Personally, when I'm told I can't do something (even by my own body) I want to do it even more. I think living with Crohn's we tend to mastered the "suck it up buttercup" mentality.

 

[loosewheels]

As a Chronie, I would say we have a higher pain threshold than so called 'normal' people, another point is work, how many times have you perhaps come across an employee ringing in sick due to having the 'trotts' where as we would just come in and get on with the job as its part of our life wheather we like it or not.

 

[Rebecca85]

I am afraid I am the opposite, I really feel pain elsewhere in my body. Particularly if it's a sudden unexpected pain like stubbing your toe! My theory is that I have used up my natural painkillers on my stomach. Or maybe it's another symptom of the undiagnosed neurological problem I have? When I was taking fluoxetine (antidepressant) my pain tolerance went back to normal.

 

[Slim Johnson]

We do have a higher pain tolerance. I have hours of tattoo, and my artist will occasionally comment on how I just sit there when he is tattooing places that make others cry,scream, twitch etc.. I just look at him, and tell him that I am one tough SOB.

Often, at least for me, pain is not so much a sensation, as it is a state of mind. I think that is due to the constancy, and high level that I (we) endure. Sometimes though, it can be unnerving. Especially when the Oxycodone won't touch it... I also have a close friend that took his life, because he could no longer cope with the CD. He also had Hidradenitis suppurativa, which only added to the pain. I miss that guy.

 

[ekay03]

I also have a close friend that took his life, because he could no longer cope with the CD. He also had Hidradenitis suppurativa, which only added to the pain. I miss that guy.

Oh Slim, I am sorry about your friend taking his own life. This is so sad. I suppose untreated pain can make a person do awful things. Nobody should be left to suffer untreated pain.


Personally speaking I think my pain threshold is on the low side of normal.

 

[PVail]

Ok It sounds crazy but I do feel that you get used to living with it. Its like a annoying neighbour, you know there not going away so you just do stuff to try an avoid them.
Do we have a higher pain threashold , without question we do .

 

[Slim Johnson]

Oh Slim, I am sorry about your friend taking his own life. This is so sad. I suppose untreated pain can make a person do awful things. Nobody should be left to suffer untreated pain.


Personally speaking I think my pain threshold is on the low side of normal.

Thanks.

At least he is not in pain anymore... I would follow suit if I didn't have family obligations... Being stuck at home is so :boring:...

I seriously doubt you are on the low side of normal, if you have CD. Think of all the times you have gone shopping, or to work ( or whatever) when the pain was wrenching at you.. Now think of how many people ****, and whine when they have a cold, or a headache... WE are tough! Tough as nails!

 

[SarahAnne]

I know I have a higher pain tolerance than "normal" people. There are times when I hurt and don't even realize it because that is *normal* for me.

The last time I went to the ER, I was asked what my pain level was. I told them it was about a 6, I hurt but I had worse pain before. My husband chimed in, "If she tells you six, that means it's more like twelve!"

Like PVail said, when it just never goes away the only thing you can do is ignore it.

 

[Angrybird]

Definetly have a high pain threshold. I also am so used to niggles and sharp jabs that I don't mention it to hubby or others everytime it happens as I would never shut up! Just so used to it that it's normal and I always think to myself 'hey it could be worse' and shrug it off. Right after my op at the maximum I would say my pain was a six, I honestly thought/think that there is still harsher pain out there to potentially experience....broken limb or childbirth for example. I do find that I am not very tolerant to work colleagues who winge about their little aches and pains and sniffles and call in sick for a cold, I just want to tell them to grow a pair!

 

[ekay03]

A broken rib is pretty painful. I had one of those!

 

[flowergirl]

my pain threshold is pretty high, always has been. i've only had cd for less than a year, so i don't think its the pain all the time anyway theory.
i had no drugs during childbirth, until right before the c-section because he wouldn't come out. full labor and pushing drug free. i do think i scared some people in the halls, though, with the moaning and yelling. lol.
the best part was the anesthetist trying to give me an epidural when i'm having 30 second apart contractions, telling me to be still. whatever, dude.