@lauriedr I don't understand how/why these doctors object to medical pot so strenuously. Don't they, as doctors, have YOUR best interest at heart???? At the very least they should let you do a trial, let's say one month, to determine how much relief you get from medical pot. That would be the humane way of dealing with you, and this should be your reply to their objections. I'm just a retired/disabled Paramedic and this is MY opinion. I'm going on seven months taking medical pot and am like a new man. If I wasn't so damn old (70 years old) I would be able to work again.
As for your disability, I would find a good attorney who specializes in helping people navigate the process and get you approved. Additionally, Mayo has an excellent Pain Management program that will help you get off Opioids and help you "deal" with your pain. Many insurances will pay for it.

Good luck. If you need anymore help, let me know.

Thank you @medic7054 for your thoughtful response. I am a strong self-advocate, but my doctors are all about CYA. I have disability attorneys, but it's appeal after appeal for the last 7 years. For me, opiates are the only meds that provide any pain relief. Preventive and other abortives don't touch my pain. I am in no hurry to get off opiates. I would prefer more of them, actually. In 15 years I have not had problems with addiction or drug-seeking behaviors. I use oxy because vicodin was like taking a tic tac for me. Ever since Prince died from illicit fentanyl, the whole medical community has freaked out. I looked into Mayo last year, but I was told I had to be drug-free for 2 months before I could even make an appointment. No thank you. I cannot surrender the few hours of relief I get each week in exchange for nothing. I am broke from not working, in debt from alternative treatments; two of the best neurologists in the state tell me there are no tools left in the toolbox until new drugs come to market. Medicine today is not about the patient. I have been told by Dr's and pharmacists that they fear for their licenses. I am so tired of it all. If it weren't for my grown but still-dependent children, I would have cashed out years ago. My loving, supportive Husband is now my caregiver. He has to be set free; this unremitting pain has ruined both our lives. I appreciate the time you have taken with me. I will continue to fight for medicinal pot oil, and for my right to pain relief. I will try anything to end the pain, anxiety, depression. I will look into moving to a pro-euthanasia state when my children are settled in careers, or when I can't take the agony any longer. It breaks my heart that relief is out there, in the Form of a responsible opiate regimen and medical Marijuana, and I am not able to have it because I am a law-abiding patient. Thank you again @medic7054. You have been very kind to me and I appreciate that so much. You must have been an excellent paramedic. I wish you many more pain free days ahead for you.

For 10 years or more, no one doctor would do anything to help with pain going down right leg. This was in the mid-eighties. Finally, my main doctor put me on darvocet!! At least he tried. Went to back doctor, had surgery after 5 years of paying 3 different doctors, and the shots that never helped. Now, I am diagnosed with an incurable ailment and found a pain management doc that has put me on everything from hydrocodone, fentayl patches and finally med pot. So much better the pain is than anything I take orally. But, SC does NOT support anything to do with illegal goods. Help me figure this out!!!

@lauriedr Thank you for the kind words. More and more states are approving medical pot. Maybe yours will soon. You could consider moving to a state where it is legal. As an aside......consider synthetic pot (Marinol). just read about it recently.