Shannon, you are not alone. And you sre not an addict, you are in pain and you are treating and handling it as best you can. I've had these feelings before, too. You *are* a warrior!

THeresa

well I can't say from personal experience being my last doctor I saw said all I need is aleve with a pain level of 8..mmmm....but from what I have read and from what I know your on a short acting pain killer and most of the time they ware off fast and you end up taking more then ya like, all your problems would be solved if ya can get on long acting opoids, but good luck with that. Your not alone I was made to feel like a horrible drug seeker by an othro for givng me real low grade pain meds for 3 surgeries, and have never sucessed getting any doc to give me any opoids for chronic pain.

You should not let others make you feel ashamed. If you need it ,you need it. I've had good and bad days and sometimes you need a little more and sometimes you can get by with less. There's nothing to be ashamed of. Yes, you are O.K.

Your fine. People who have not had serious surgery or accident whatever chronic pain condition just dont understand. Its easy for them to sit there and judge but let me take a bat to their knee and then see what. I think what most people dont understanad that there is no fix for chronic pain. Pain medication is the only thing in avoidance of multiple surgery or excessive medical procedures sometimes. I tell my family its not like I'm jones'n for a vicodin or darvacet, my joint hurts plain and simple. LIke the other poster said, sometims you need more, sometimes less.

Don't be ashamed. Pain is real and sometimes you need relief. That is different for everyone and sometimes some people need certain meds. I am one of those people and I certainly do not feel like an addict.

Thank you all so much! I'm so glad I have found you all!

we all have those days where if we didnt take the medication,how bad the pain would be...........taking them to help with the pain and get through the day isnt a addict.
it's called using medications to help out to help you through the day to function like other people.
i used to to that but not anymore.

if it makes you feel better, go without so that you re-realize WHY you need them. I do this on occasion and each time I am grateful and know how lucky I am.

You are doing absolutely nothing wrong. Like they said, sometimes you need more and sometimes you need less. It's better to stay on top of the pain before the pain gets on top of YOU. It may be in your best interest to take an extended release pain Rx. That way your pain is being treated on a continuous basis without having to think about it. Perhaps the fact that you keep having to take the pain Rxs every couple hours or so is reminding you that you are actually taking them. Know what I mean? It's like, "Oh my! I'm taking ANOTHER one?!" Extended release Rxs are only taken about twice a day then the occasional fast acting for break through pain, if you need them.

Secondly, it's no one's business what you are taking and why. Leave them in the dark on this. As far as they are concerned, you are taking "vitamins". And why is your doctor making you feel ashamed? If that's the case, it's time for a pain specialist. Your regular doctor doesn't know how to treat chronic pain anyway. Ask for a referral to a pain clinic.

Welcome to the group! Everyone here are very supportive and will always give advise or answer questions when asked.

Oh I feel the same way at times & its been years. I wake up & dread beginning my day with medication. Yet like you I'm so relieved I have them. I don't tell anyone outside a few of my closet family members.
Still there is this stigma & its never going to get better. We have to remember we did not ask for this & pain can do damage if left untreated. We are treating a condition & sadly enough noone can understand. Heck I dont think I did until it happened to me.

Anyone in your shoes or mine would take the meds. Its take them or give up living life & suffer. We have heard a million times unless your in our shoes you cannot understand but I'm betting if anyone of these people were in your shoes they would want something to ease the pain so they could live life.

When we feel like this we need to take a step back & say who in their right mind would want to live in this pain? If you put something in front of someone in your situation do you think they would decline the med or take it to end this relentless pain?
I'm guessing they would take it. As I said I feel the same. Some days I just want to be "normal" but then I think what if I had nothing to help me & what about others that are so much worse. I want to make the most of each day.
Your not alone in the way you feel & just wanted you to know that.
God bless, Sammy