Hello David and welcome to Connect. I'm very sorry to learn of your suffering. Chronic pain is a world in which no-one can understand until living in it. You have found a team here of chronic pain allies. If nothing more may this experience bring you compassion and encouragement to keep fighting. I feel for you regarding opiods and the fact that in many cases of chronic pain there simply is no substitute. I'm an opioid user and by choice keep trying other options to reduce my need for opiod pain management. Currently I'm exploring medical cannabis and steadily climbing until hopefully I find a match for my pain. My heart goes out to you. I watched my mom (Chronic pain suffer of 40 years) get flat out cut off of opiods from her pain management Dr because she refused stimulator implants and injections. She was able to work with her PCP who she had a long, strong relationship over the years and continue her opiod treatment as she is by no means an abuser. My wish for you is that you find comfort in talking about your pain here on Connect, learn from others experience with your diagnosis and develop a plan going forward of how you will not let pain defeat you entirely. Here for you.
Rachel