Here is an article from JAMA in 2000. Evidently my doctor let her subscription lapse: http://www2.rpa.net/~lrandall/standard.html
I don’t know how I feel about that ten-point pain scale. When I was asked about my level of pain in the ER last month, I had to think about it for a minute, finally deciding that my personal “10” would be the time I needed an emergency root canal and passed out when the dentist touched my tooth. That worked for me. And then I told the nurse that I was at about a seven … and they sent me back out into the waiting room for another three hours without so much as an aspirin.
To be perfectly fair, though, when I finally got to see a doctor and told him I was being treated for a four-centimeter cyst on my ovary, he was absolutely flabbergasted to discover that my gynecologist hadn’t given me anything for pain. Then he sent a nurse in with a big needle that made me feel much better, and he sent me home with both vicodin and naproxen. (And like Opal, I’m hoarding the remainder of that prescription for a rainy day.)
That’s brilliant. I more or less did this when I went to follow up with my doctor after the ER visit. Which was when he said “Okay, I think maybe you have appendicitis.” Because gods forbid it be something he could help me with.
And yes, I have since found a new gynecologist. 
From Gaudere’s cite regarding the Boiled Uterus ablation technique:
I find this hard to believe. Wait…no I don’t.
OK-that bit about work etc is complete BS–I had LESS pain post abortion and tubes tying I had 6 years ago. The ablation was last May ('05) and I can still remember that pain. Shit, childbirth was easier–and I had pain control.
The linked article (I’d copy and past but haven’t figured out how on my new laptop), states that 1 in 4 surgical pts has inadequately controlled pain. I wonder if that is inpt or outpt or both. I have to say that my inpts, post-op–well, the vast majority of them have PCA pumps (pt controlled analgesia) which, at the push of a button, injects a tiny amount of pain killer into the bloodstream via an IV. Some are set up to constantly deliver a small dose, with the button giving the pt a bit more. We do ok with pain management on inpts (at my hospital anyway). I think it’s oupts who get the shaft. (of course, it is possible and does happen that inpts also don’t get treated, but most procedures talked about here are outpt)
I would love to do a study on female pts and pain control vs men and what they get. 30 days worth of Vicodan? WTH? Vasectomy pain shouldn’t last that long. :rolleyes:
Query: did he get 30 pills or 30 days worth? If the pill is prescribed to be taken as needed, say every 6 hours-that’s a max of 4 per day. A 30 day supply would be 120 pills!
The only time I’ve ever seen 30 days worth prescribed was for a friend who suffered a near-death motorcycle accident. he bought vicodin by the cannister. Every time I’ve had it, it’s been enough for a week, tops. Which would be roughly 30 pills. Still MUCH more than I would think would be standard needs for a vasectomy. I’m not trying to dismiss pain men feel from this procedure, but I’ve never heard of a man who needed narcotics for a full week afterwards. Anyone have experience contrary to that?
CTRL + C for copy, CTRL + V for paste. Or use the Copy and Paste options from the “Edit” menu at the top of the window.
For anyone who is interested, the results of the Gulag Torture Biopsy came out negative. My uterus is doing absolutely nothing, which is exactly what it’s supposed to be doing. I’ve been given the OK to go back on the HRT patch (WOOHOO!) and once again, all is well at Kasa Kalhoun. Kinda puts a new spin on “Independence Day”, doesn’t it? See ya, Fertility!
That’s great news Kalhoun. I’m sorry you had to go through all of that to find out, but the results were worth it, right?
That’s great news, Kalhoun.
Opalcat -thanks; I learned that very skill today at my personal tutorial at the Apple store.
My sister, who was just issued her MD at the ripe old age of 49, has the following theory re: doctors who don’t adequately control pain: for the most part, med students are healthy young people who have had few, if any, “procedures” done and therefore can not relate to folks in pain. Couple that with medical literature saying “should not be too painful” or “mild cramping” or what have you, and cautions about “drug-seeking” and you have the current situation.
She said there were numerous times in her medical education when one of her fellow students either downplayed a patient’s pain or accused them of being drug-seeking and she said “No - I’ve had that done - IT HURTS”.
In my own life, I’ve found doctors who’ve experienced “procedures” themselves tend to be much more aware of pain complaints and better at pain control. In particular, the guy who drained the abcess on my face had been in a terrible accident at one point (You think it’s odd seeing a dentist with bad teeth? How about a plastic surgeon with serious visible scarring?) and was VERY good with the pain control from beginning to end. Not just “are you in pain” but also asking how I was sleeping, eating, resting, working… Seems to be of the school that if you treat the pain up front, immediatley you wind up using less over the course of the entire healing process.
I want a gyno with multiple C-section scars and a history of menstrual problems, followed by a hysterectomy and early and sudden onset menopause with hot flashes from hell, with a low pain threshold.
The doctor told me that if I have any more bleeding, they’ll watch it for six months, and I would possibly have to have the procedure done again.
Well THAT ain’t gonna happen. Not without pharmaceuticals, baby.