glenoid labrum tear for 3 years, acid reflux for 10 years, how bad is pain before it's considered severe or chronic?

[robcrow75]

About 3 years ago something happened that left me with a bad arm. An MRI revealed that I had a "glenoid Labrum tear" in my left shoulder socket. At the time I could not afford the surgery and at this time still cannot so I left it untreated, was given a pulley and told to get to work. I managed to restore range of motion but this condition eventually cost me my job (retail freight). To this day I am in severe pain throughout the day and I NEVER sleep well. On top of this I get headaches with popping and grinding at the base of the skull. I have to manually pop my neck to stop the headaches but it's temporary and I know it's dangerous. A physical therapist once popped my back and it alleviated the symptoms but alas, they're back.
About 10 years ago I began having stomach pains and then the black stool and then the blood in my shorts which was characterized by an burning, itching sensation. A doctor (this was overseas) took a stool sample and determined peptic ulcers. I was eventually taken to the ER earlier this year with chest pain (early heartattack history in family) where it was revealed to be a stomach disturbance. My primary care doc evaluated my symptoms and determined acid reflux- also I have an enlarged spleen.
The meds I take for these conditions are hydrocodone, omeprazole, ranitidine. I have use other "alternative" pain killing methods.
Now my question is: How much pain is necessary before we can conclude Chronic pain? My doc recognizes that I suffer  from chronic pain but little is done about it. BY definition do I suffer from this?

[robcrow75]

that's certainly how it feels- this has been ongoing for years now and I think that after the responses I've been getting I'm a wee bit more confident about my chances of "being heard and validated" seem a lot better.
All in all, I see my condition as more of a blessing than a curse. Surely, I can no longer do the work I used to do but I've got to see my kids grow up and it has given me a different view on life, the world, humanity, and compassion.
Thank you for all the feedback.

[happyhbmom]

Chronic pain is just pain that lasts longer than a specific period of time- I think it's something like 12 months.  There is no mysterious diagnostic criteria.  Acute pain goes away eventually, chronic pain does not.

Honestly, though, for many of us, a big defining factor in chronic pain is the lack of an end point- we do not have something that is going to heal or resolve.  The pain is a stable and constant part of our lives, and although we hope for the surgery or treatment that will help, we know that to some extent we will live with pain forever.

[robcrow75]

Thanks- yep, my pain is constant- there's not a moment when I'm not in pain. I have successfully managed my pain for over a year without a hydrocodone script. It's just that recently, I've been forced into a position where my particular management methods have been called into question and am seeking a legal definition of chronic pain. My doc, for all intents and purposes, does acknowledge a chronic pain condition- it just seems so broad a term.

[JadedSweetheart]

Do you have pain all the time despite changing positions, etc?  I have always considered chronic pain to be constant pain that you can't get rid of with movement, laying down, or taking OTC pain relievers.  Although I think any constant pain would be considered chronic.  
Most people with CP have some sort of condition that causes it.  I think for most of us it's a spinal problem, too.  If you are on a pain reliever all the time it's likely that your doctor believes you have chronic pain.
As far as what is considered severe pain, there are different definitions of that.  To me severe is up there with labor pain when having a baby or pain so bad that I would do anything to stop.  One of our Community Leaders, Tuckamore, has posted a good pain chart from 1-10 that describes what pain is like at the different levels.