Getting people to understand your pain

[LivvyCat]

Has anyone else been asked by a paramedic "have you taken paracetamol?"

They wouldn't say that to a woman in labour!

[AllthatGlitters]

I always say people don’t understand our pain or what we go through if they don’t go through it themselves. Lucky them.

X

[Jess1981]

I was given paracetamol in my last birth- no lie! It wasn’t till I said I was still in massive pain they agreed I could have stronger pain relief! I generally think women’s health problems are so undervalued. I don’t think this would happen if it was a man 😔 I hope with 2 daughters attitudes change within the medical community xx sorry you had to go through that I had such a rough difficult journey getting my endometriosis diagnosis ( nearly 6 years of infertility and 3 years of unexplained issues with my cycles till my endo was unearthed- before that my GP told me it “just tummy pain” and case closed) It’s a shambles for sure as is most of the nhs xx

[Endolemon]

My first Gyne (male) suggested paracetamol for pain (before I was diagnosed with Endo).

When I said but it is PAIN , he said -well you can add ibuprofen on top. And anyway it shouldn’t be so painful 🤦🏻‍♀️

[RosieFalkor]

This is standard across the NHS I think for two reasons: paracetamol is the only proven safe painkiller that can be used across the board, and it complements other painkillers making them more effective used in combination.

I wouldn’t be offended. My daughter has had four open heart surgeries and paracetamol was an important part of her pain relief afterwards. Alongside fentanyl 😂

[16yearsofpainsofar]

I was induced and in so much agony but not ready to be transferred to the delivery suite. I was given paracetamol...

I gave birth using gas and air because the epidural didn't work. Post birth I was given paracetamol even though it was an extremely long labour and I could barely walk due to the damage. There aren't any great painkillers for women. Men are given stronger meds without even asking for them.

[LivvyCat]

OK, so they do give paracetamol for labour 🙃

I do find it frustrating though that doctors, paramedics, and a&e staff so often minimise the pain of endo because it definitely can be akin to labour, and stronger pain meds should be more easily available.