I absolutely agree with you about the medications. I had fentanyl patches for about 15 years until a couple months ago and I wasn't addicted to it. I've never abused any medications, I've never done any drugs, and I don't even drink. You're right, if taken as prescribed you normally don't have any issues. I agree that drugs are out of control and that opioids are one of those drugs. Doctors are just weaning people off these drugs and leaving them in excruciating pain. As a patient, one of your rights is to be treated for your pain. What is this doing to treat anyone's pain? You are just left out there to decide whether you want to turn into a drug addict and find the street version of the pain relieving drugs or if you want to try to endure the pain until it either kills you or you choose suicide. How is that humane!! It's nearly impossible to even find another doctor that will treat you. I know because I went through several before finding one that would work with me. You are treated like a drug addict looking for drugs! The government is so quick to use the stereotype that if you take opioids then you ARE addicted to them. Also, when they whip out the number of drug related deaths they conveniently forget to mention that most of them are caused by the street version of the drugs. Just wait to see how much the suicide rate rises! I'm sure they won't be so quick to admit or will probably never admit that it's because they left legitimate pain patients to die!

I would recommend to you, since you haven't found any other medications that work, to try an integrative pain specialist. They prescribe both homeopathic and regular pain medications. My doctor prescribes Oxytocin and Ketamine troches. They dissolve under your tongue. Somehow they work together and they work great for your pain. The pain relief is just as good, if not better, than any of the opioids they gave me over the years. I strongly urge you to try a new doctor and mention these medications. If you do get to try them please let me know how they work for you. Good luck to you and take care!