Pain sensation

[Damon1031]

Greetings everyone,
I have always been sensitive to pain my whole life. I thought it was just how most people are. Earlier this year, I had to have a Dye shot into my spinal column for a MRI. The Anesthesiologist injected the area with numbing meds. Well, when he started to put the needle in, I damn near went through the roof. He numbed it up so more. Made no difference. Felt the same as it did before. So, he tried a test with me. He placed a towel over my head and kept saying, "Do you feel it now?" I said no. He did that 3 times. After he said that, he tried the needle again and almost jumped off the table. Unfortunately, he was unable to do the procedure.

4 months ago, I had a broken tooth. Went to the dentist and he injected Novocaine on the inside and outside of my gums. He waited a few minutes for it to work. He then started to pull on it and I almost jumped out of the chair. He injected more into the gum line. Still did not dull the pain. He tried it again saying this was the most he has ever given someone and still did not work. I wanted this tooth out so bad, I couldnt stand it. He tried again and I was almost in tears. I ended up going to a oral surgeon and they had to knock me out just to pull a tooth. Embarrassing. I dont know why I feel so much pain even with meds. Its not muscle pain but just nerve pain. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know...  

[MaritimeFox]

Nothing to be Embarassed about...you have a tolerance to the meds. they affect you differently than the norm. Now that you aware of this you can inform the medical personal so they can alter your care plan. Inform your family DR. of your experiences and he will assist you in alternatives. Good Luck. MaritimeFox

[Tuckamore]

Hi Damon,

Welcome to MedHelp's Pain Mangement Forum. I am glad that you found us and took the time to post. You've asked a good question.

I don't know why some of us have a very high tolerance to pain and another has nearly none. I think it is just our early experiences coupled with our individual systems and make up. There are medical theories and research on the subject.

You are describing two of the most painful scenarios. It is a fact that an infected or decayed tooth is often next to impossible to numb. One of the reasons being is the lack of good circulation that occurs in those teeth as well as the inflamatory process that strikes the nerves and tissues. It does hurt more!

Anyone that has ever had dye injected into their spinal column will attest to the fact that is can be an extremely painful procedure. My dad had a very high pain threshold, yet he could not tolerate the injection of dye. He moaned loudly and occasionally called out through most of the procedure. His spinal structure was very "messed up" and his pain level was through the roof and than they injected dye into it. Ouch!

So I don't know if your pain threshold is really low or if you just had a few bad experiences.  It is a fact that some people really do feel more pain than others. Research says that when the body is injured, it releases a flood of pain-relieving substances, notably beta endorphins, a natural opioid.

If you profile page is correct you are a male. Low pain thresholds seems to be more prevalent in woman. However low thresholds can occur in any gender. Many females release fewer beta endorphins than males do. Therefore fewer natural painkillers means that one will experience more pain. However this is not always confined to the female body and you may be one that also has this naturally occurring phenonium.

Stress levels also plays a part in your perception of pain. Stress, anxiety, depression and anticipation can all play a role in how we perceive pain. The more stressed or anxious we are the more likely we feel magnified pain.

These are ideas and theories. Why you experience more pain may have nothing to do with anything that I have talked about. Good topic...thanks for bringing it up. What are your thoughts?

I'll look forward to hearing from you.

Peace,
~Tuck