I don't have too much of a problem obtaining pain meds. I have four screws in my back plus some rods and a two level fusion in my neck. Add in spinal stenosis and my Ataxia and they seem to be fairly forgiving. However, I rarely exceed to prescribed dosage, if not use less. I've had most of these meds for ten years now.
It's the only way you can keep them! If you run out before yer 'sposed to, then you do without! If ya doctor shop, in order to have two writin' prescriptions, you not only lose your meds, ya spend time as a guest of the county! I had to sign a contract with my last doctor that stated what I could and couldn't do. Had to submit to piss tests whenever he felt like it, had to use the same pharmacy, had to have any test he thought I should have, and submit to a physical once a year, whether I could afford any of the above, or not!
I've been takin' one pain killer or another since '98, and I have always had them last at least a week longer than prescribed.
Once you find a doctor who is willin' to write 'em, ya hold on to 'em! Ya have to put up with their paranoia of the DEA, which is why I had to see this counselor BTW, but it's a small price to pay.
Don't know about you, but without 'em, it's a bitch to get outa bed and get anything done! All they do for me is take the edge off, anyway. I have completely forgotten what it was to live without the little cocksucker with the cleats on, livin' between L4 and L5!
