Pain medication changes due to regulations

@kjoed53 I asked about LDN but was told I wasn't a good candidate for it since I don't have the conditions it's listed for.
I have to take Hydrocodone 10:325 as needed. I'm emphasizing the last part. I don't get any "buzz" from it except pain relief.
I have stuff with my tendons, a failed TKR which I had a PNS put in after four years of that and it has helped a lot.
I can get awful headaches but it's mainly things that are from being hyper mobile. Torn ligaments, tendons and arthritis but at least it's "only" osteo, not rheumatoid.

I do PT for these but it can be a question of having a terrible day to having a decent or good one where you can function. Plus PT takes time if you're about to catch a train.
I am still trying to find other solutions, not because I'm afraid of addiction, but it's a hassle to get from some doctors even post op!
I try not to take it since I don't want to build up a tolerance to it though.

@cecilyl
LDN is being used off label for any of the chronic pain and autoimmune conditions it's prescribed for, but you can't take LDN if you're also taking hydrocodone. Naltrexone (in much higher doses of 50mg or more) is only FDA approved and used in opioid and alcohol addiction. I'm taking 3mg LDN for PMR and the only reason I knew about it before discussing with my rheumatologist was because someone in the Mayo clinic community mentioned it in a comment. My rheumatologist knew about it, and it's potential uses, but he was very surprised that I had heard of it.

Navigating chronic pain sure seems to give us a feeling of " we're doing something wrong" is absolutely shameful.
I have been using gabapentin for years, with fair to good results for neuropathy/pain.
One recent routine visit to the pain clinic, I was told I had to sign a medication agreement.
One that sets guidelines for taking pain medication.
I guess the government must regulate gabapentin.
The agreement requires urine screens for other drugs, including THC.
I consume THC for multiple reasons with good results.
I refused the agreement and did not get my gabapentin renewed.
I was upset as gabapentin gives me relief from some pretty good foot pain.
I contacted my PCP and he didn't agree with the pain clinic and prescribed the gabapentin without issues and he's well aware of my THC consumption. I'm grateful for his years of care and am glad I've had a longterm Doctor / patient relationship.

As far as I have read in California,and maybe US, it would be illegal to withhold opioids from anyone who has been in your situation. I have had several doctors who would not see me at all and one that cut my prescription in half. They probably can refuse you as a patient,but can't reduce or stop success that you have now. Maybe it is possible to find a doctor that sees it differently. I have been able to do that
I am very concerned about doctors that think nsaids or physical therapy is all you need. I have had back problems for 30 years
It takes all I have to deal with pain. I now try mindfulness and meditation. I feel no one really gets how bad pain is. I do. I never give up and am now researching nalu neuro stimulation and a small electrical nerve stimulator,but it hAs some negatives

@frouke the government changed its rules to be better,but maybe doctors are afraid of getting in trouble. This is no longer true,but some don't want to take that chance
I think they are still required to report how many patients are prescribed opioids,but they are not government rules to cut one half .

@tyyne21wigwam
Thank you so very much for the information. I tried to meditate every day at least 10 minutes a day maybe more. I was exercising every other day on elliptical until I started having other medical issues. I used to be very active but slowly it’s been the opposite. I started going to Pain Management in 1999 and have been going to one or another since then I know Virginia, Tennessee and I do believe the state of South Carolina have passed medical marijuana laws and my state North Carolina is just reserve for very few people and pain is not listed for medical marijuana so it doesn’t really give me a lot of choices. I did acupuncture which helped but cost so much money that I wasn’t able to afford it anymore. I really have tried everything known to man. I actually happened to talk to one of the engineers that worked for Medtronics, he had to undergo back surgery when one of leads, came off and fried his whole entire nervous system up and down his spine. Since I know a lot of people that have tried electrical stuff. One of the drawbacks is having to replace the batteries all the time the other being what happens if a lead comes off. I have many more here that tried but most people I’ve talked to really didn’t see much success in it . I don’t know if it would do any good for me to talk to a Congress person or not. Not sure which way to turn at the moment that’s why I was asking this support group. Some of them encountered the same issue. Most have not which has me guessing who’s right. I wish you nothing but the best in your adventure take care.

@shoegal Take a look at Radio Frequency Ablation. it's very effective, just choose a doctor who does it all the time. Do not make the mistake of getting a doctor who does not specialize in that procedure, I'm telling you. I got my lower back injections 6 weeks ago and I'm almost like in heaven. It's an outpatient procedure. What a relief!

@laughlin1947
Radio frequencies at a great way to help people reduce their pain. My wife has gone through it three times since it takes a little while for your nerve to grow back and each time it lasted more than what they estimated. It’s been 2 to 4 years since she had to have one so anybody that’s considering this for their spine may be a good option. Thank you very much for your comment. Look forward to hearing other people. Have a wonderful day.

Our government is causing suffering. People with chronic pain do NOT abuse their meds, rather, they wish they didn’t need them. After many years working on ways to minimize my meds, I’m a senior, resigned to use what I NEED for quality of life without any side effects, emotional or behavioral issues. I’m post sinus cancer/radiation and TBI w/hyperacusis. I do NOT want to feel high or wacky, just be me. Me in pain is not me. What are we to do? Does government really want chronic pain patients to become suicidal?

I mentioned I a previous post ‘does government want chronic pain patients to become suicidal?’(great way to get rid of us?) I don’t mean by overdosing. I mean because of severe depression caused my severe chronic pain. Makes one wish life would end. Last year dr’s tried me on different meds that had very negative effects on me psychologically. I felt like a lab rat, try this try that, all the while not having a near normal life. They finally put me back a med I’ve been on and off for 20 years. Life is mostly normal (not wacky) but unfortunately, tolerance will require more soon. The thought of making the request, denial or other brings anxiety. emotional integrity os important for us when pain is under control. While being tried on other meds is was having a very hard time getting through days, completing anything and trying so hard to show kindness when I felt like shit. Some meds made me feel psychotic for which I called dr and pharmacy immediately. I am fortunate to have learned a great deal of self awareness through different programs during my life. I do know now that in order to have some quality to the rest of my life and hopefully be helpful to others, I need to be pain-free.