General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: The demonization of opiates is hurting people. [View all]cali
(114,904 posts)there are differences that are apparent- swelling, discolorization, temp differences. As for other conditions, I don't feel qualified to address those, but I know of too many cases of needless suffering to just say err by not prescribing.
Here's what my pain is like: A few months ago I was making a creme caramel and I stupidly managed to pour some boiling caramelized sugar on my hand. My first thought was "you can handle this. It feels like your foot does when the pain gets bad."
People's tolerance of pain differs. I have a high tolerance for it (partly I suspect because I'm so easily distracted). I know I have a high tolerance for pain because when I suffered the initial grave injury, I managed to crawl on my stomach, out of my house, up my dirt driveway and up the dirt road to get help. The hospital staff and my surgeon were pretty damned impressed.