I am a chronic pain patient as well, I am young and on my 4th shoulder surgery. The PA at the orthopedist didn't want to prescribe anything stronger than Darvocet and Ultram for pain.. and this was after weeks of taking endocet 7.5. I got a referral to a pain management center and finally got some Oxy IR, and it has greatly improved my quality of life, for I was vomiting from the pain beforehand. I basically take the IR as needed- the doctor explained that the extended release system for Oxycontin doesn't work nearly as well to warrant being prescribed as much as it is. To get the pain relief that you actually need, you need to a) have a very understanding doctor, or b) go to an anesthesiologist. I have nothing but praise for the men and women who are anesthiologists- they deal with people in pain each day, and consistently improve their quality of life. I don't know that I want to be on oxycodone for the rest of my life, but it has really improved my day-to-day. In my experience, the Anesthisiologists are very liberal with their prescriptions. If you tell them how much trouble you are having, (even if you have to embellish a little bit), they will give you what you need and rightfully deserve. Keep a pain journal if you must, when they see that they will realize the severity of your anguish. But, back to the PA who REFUSED to give me what I needed- I felt nothing but anger towards him. We told him that I was vomiting, writhing in pain, could not sleep, and he basically said "deal with it." Although the recent rise in prescription drug abuse has caused much controversy, I couldn't believe that someone in the medical profession could be so callous. If you repeatedly call the pain clinic and complain, they will fit you in. I wouldn't go the route of heroine- the last thing you need right now is addiction and a massive tolerance to opiates, because even though you still deserve medication if you have pain, any doctor would probably demand you get treatment before he prescribes a CII painkiller to you. To sum it up- I know where you are, and it sucks. Try to stick it out and don't do anything that will land you legal trouble and other problems. If you must, personally go up to the pain management center and complain. Just try to stick it out for a little while longer- One can only know the most utter happiness after having wallowed in the depths of despair.
Noumena