PERSONALIZING a Pain Scale:

Randall Chronic Pain Scale
  Copyright © 1995-2011 Lois Randall


Introduction

        No two people experience pain alike. What makes this scale unique is that it allows you to create a personal scale using your own words to describe how your pain feels to you and how well (or not) you are able to function at each of the self-described levels.
        After dealing with chronic pain for several years, I realized that I needed a better tool for talking with my doctors: a scale that would describe my perception of pain. I created a way to describe the intensity of my pain in terms we all understand, and I can easily revise it any time my situation changes
        Using the traditional range of 0-10, I added a description and examples that describe what I feel and experience.   I gave a copy of this scale to my doctors and they were able to understand what I hadn't been able to get across to them before.  Because of this simple change in communication, they are now able to help me manage my pain better than ever before.
        Here are examples of my own pain scales.  When I say my pain is a "4" or an "8", my healthcare providers have a clearer understanding of what it is I am experiencing at the designated time.
        I updated my pain scale after having my treatment reviewed and changed [see Example 2.]

  •   Tips on personalizing the pain scale to describe your own unique pain situation.
  •   Patient Form for personalizing the Randall Chronic Pain Scale (RCPS).
  •   Printable Form.
  •   Printable Instructions.
  •   Example One.  Example Two.

    RCPS Patient Form

    Pain Level Description Comments
    10
    * Word that describes what "10" means to you.
    (What is your functional ability at this level of pain? Describe briefly.)
    		Give examples of what causes a "10".
    How often or what % of your day are you at this level?
    What do you do to relieve this level of pain?
    8
    * Word that describes what "8" means to you.
    (What is your functional ability at this level of pain? Describe briefly.)
    		Give examples of what causes an "8".
    How often or what % of your day are you at this level?
    What do you do to relieve this level of pain?
    6
    * Word that describes what "6" means to you.
    (What is your functional ability at this level of pain? Describe briefly.)
    		Give examples of what causes a "6".
    How often or what % of your day are you at this level?
    What do you do to relieve this level of pain?
    4
    * Word that describes what "4" means to you.
    (What is your functional ability at this level of pain? Describe briefly.)
    		Give examples of what causes a "4".
    How often or what % of your day are you at this level?
    What do you do to relieve this level of pain?
    2
    * Word that describes what "2" means to you.
    (What is your functional ability at this level of pain? Describe briefly.)
    		Give examples of what causes a "2".
    How often or what % of your day are you at this level?
    What do you do to relieve this level of pain?
    0
    * Pain Free
    (What is your functional level when your pain is a "0"? Describe briefly.)
    		Give examples of when your pain level is a "0".
    How often or what % of your day are you pain free?
    What do you do to maintain "0" pain?

    (No part of this scale may be reproduced or used without permission from the author.  Write to lrandall@rpa.net.  Copyright © 1995-2011 Lois Randall. All Rights Reserved.)


  •   Printable Form.
  •   Printable Instructions.

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    Example 1
    The author.

    Pain Level Description Comments
    10
    * TOTALLY DISABLING,
    Must take care of pain.
    		Happens during flare-ups which are frequent and are related to activity, weather, etc.
    8
    * SEVERE,
    Can't concentrate and can't do all but simple things.
    		Happens daily, by mid or late afternoon. Relieved by meds and slowing activity.
    6
    * DISTRESSFUL,
    But able to continue some physical activity.
    		My normal condition.
    4
    * TOLERABLE,
    Can be ignored somewhat.
    		Late evening, if I've taken meds and rested.
    2
    * MILD,
    Only aware of pain when focused on.
    		Rare, very rare.
    0
    * PAIN FREE
    		No pain.

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    Example 2
    The author after changed treatment plan.

    Pain Level Description Comments
    10
    * DISABLING,
    Must take care of pain.
    		Happens during flare-ups which are related to activity, weather, etc.  Normal state w/o medication.
    8
    * SEVERE,
    Can't concentrate and can't do all but simple things.
    		Relieved by "rescue" meds and stopping activity.
    6
    * MODERATE,
    But able to continue some physical activity.
    		Increases with activity.  Happens daily.
    4
    * TOLERABLE,
    Can be ignored somewhat.
    		Some pain.  My usual condition with current treatment options.
    2
    * MILD,
    Aware of undercurrent of mild pain.
    		Often relieved by changing activity or position.
    0
    * PAIN FREE
    		No pain.

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    Tips on personalizing the Randall Chronic Pain Scale

        It has been suggested that I narrow the scale to 1-5 with "5" being the top end instead of "10".  Even though I don't use the odd numbers and a 1-5 scale would be more concise, I believe it is important to consider that most healthcare professionals are familiar with the traditional 1-10 scale.  I think it would be confusing to have two bandwidths, as it were.

        Description:  Generally, I try to avoid the use of words with a heavy emotional component such as "suicidal."  Still, choose a single word which best describes the overall feeling of the specific pain level.  Then tell how you are affected at that pain level.
        Use a phrase which best tells what you are able or unable to do, not how you feel.  How you are feeling emotionally does affect your pain.  Each of us may vary a lot in how much attention we pay to our pain at any given time depending on our particular emotional state at that moment.  How or whether we respond to our pain at a given level is not consistent or predictable.  Therefore, this part of the pain scale should reflect your general ability to function.

        Comments:  Describe when the pain level occurs and if there is a pattern or triggering event.

    Feedback Wanted
    Send feedback on your experience with the Randall Chronic Pain Scale (RCPS) to Lois Randall at lrandall@rpa.net.

    Read "On a Scale of 1 to 10..." by Nancy Phoenix.


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    Last Updated January 25, 2011 by Lois Randall


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