I thought it may be helpful information.  Below is a copy of my "pain scale" so when you hear me say I am at an 8 or where ever you know what I mean.  I have had to rewrite my pain scale.  Use to be a knee replacement was 10 as that is pure hell.  there is a reason they put you on dilaudid and morphine. however since 12/13/2005 and the onset of RSD/CRPS my pain scale has under gone many changes.  and I am praying that I am not going to have to redo it again since my screw up the beginning of the month. 

also you may find these pages useful...

http://www.rsdhope.org/Showpage .asp?PAGE_ID=3&PGCT_ID=4415
this describes what RSD/CRPS feels like

and this one is the McGill pain scale RSD/CRPS = causalgia on this
http://www.rsdhope.org/Showpage .asp?PAGE_ID=3&PGCT_ID=2465