I have all sorts of descriptions for how I feel. I can describe to you in detail of how the pain feels in every single part of my body. But how do you explain it so that other people can understand? Pain is a pretty tough thing to wrap someone's head around.
When I was in junior high I would describe it as having a constant flu 24/7. That seemed to give people my age a bit of an understanding.
Since I turned 18, it's easiest to describe it as a hangover. You know when you are not sure if food is going to make it better or worse? You want to stay in bed but you're too uncomfortable to sleep? You are constantly nauseous, your body feels like it has been 'hit by a train' and you've got this headache that Tylenol just won't help. Imagine THAT feeling 100% of the time - but without the fun of the night before.
Here are some of my specific descriptions to give you somewhat of a visual of what's going on. If it's easier to understand the flu/hangover metaphors then, by all means, just stick with those.
The arthritis:
For me it feels like there are metal rods sticking through my joints. There is one in each of my SI joints, another one running vertical with my spine and one running horizontal. These rods can get either scorching hot or freezing cold. They can't bend, they don't give, they shrink and expand with temperature, but they are always there - poking through each of the joints affected.
For my stomach:
It feels like a fish hook coming from inside of my stomach and pulling it in. This also helps to explain the 'pain posture' that people with chronic pain have. I am hunched over to help but it's still painful - and right in the center.
For the headaches:
I feel like Frankenstein. Those two screws digging into the side of my head all the time. Sometimes they are just there, and sometimes they feel like someone is tightening them.
For the nausea:
I am sticking with the hangover metaphor. That point where you know you've had too much. I am always scared to eat because I never know if it will stay down, and I never know if it will make me feel better or worse. I always have a certain craving (whether it's water, citrus, grease, carbs, chocolate, etc...). That high stomach 'discomfort' right underneath the rib cage. Like I had just one too many shots the night before and not enough water. The tragic thing about this is that I don't have a fun night out or story to go along with the feeling. Curling up on the bathroom floor and having to have my face near a toilet is not nearly as amusing as it is when it's simply from over consumption of alcohol after a fun (yet overboard) night out.
For my muscles:
You know when you've worked out too hard, haven't had enough water, or forget to stretch before a game or a workout and you get those gnarly muscle cramps that last for a few minutes? Imagine those cramps, but they last. And I mean constantly. It's debilitating right? I mean getting one in the calf muscle is bad enough, but getting them in the internal muscles surrounding your organs is an entirely different story. The good news here is that my abs look awesome because those muscles don't release well. I have had to use Botox injections in some of those internal muscles to get them to release - it's nuts!
For the pelvic pain:
I won't go into great detail here - but ladies - imagine constant cramps. They never go away. And I am on a medication that has shut down that system entirely... And yet I am in a constant PMS cramped state. Then let's not forget about the Menopausal symptoms - the hot flashes, the cramping, the constant and unpredictable temperature changes....
For the exhaustion:
If you have ever had Mono - this is easy to explain. Imagine that feeling for life. For those who have never had mono, the exhaustion feels kind of like jet lag. Getting home from being away at something like a family reunion. No real relaxation on the vacation and yet getting home and feeling like you need another vacation just to relax... But you can't necessarily sleep. It's like the body has been in a constant state of adrenaline (for one reason or another) and then needing to rest but being unable to relax enough to actually sleep it off.
Those are some of my basic descriptions for the most prevalent pains in my body. Due to this constant state of pain, nausea, and discomfort, a lot of times I will have nightmares of being stabbed, being beaten up, etc... As a way for my body to make sense of it.
Some days are obviously better than others, but this is how I feel on a consistent basis - WITH medication.