They will think you are abusing. You are NOT allowed to increase your dose without permission. You need to tell the doc at your next appointment that the meds were not adequate to control your pain and that you need stronger meds or a larger quantity. Some docs are more understanding than others. If you mention running out early, depending on your doc, you may start getting the drug addict treatment, frequent urinalysis, pill counts, etc... Best to request more at the next appointment and not mention running out early, unless they do a UA and you don't have meds in your urine. Then they might think you're diverting them. So in that case, you would explain.

If need be and you have the good relationship with your doctor, call him and let him know your current dose is not sufficient (be very specific about when the pain relief wears off and what level pain you're experiencing and how often this occurs; ideally you started updating your pain diary as soon as the medication stopped being completely effective). An understanding doctor will work with you to ensure your pain is managed, either by writing a new script early and changing the dosing directions so you get more pain relief, or giving you a different medication that will be more effective. Do not change how you take your current medication. Doing so labels you as a non-compliant patient and as ChronicIL said, brings along with it a host of possible repercussions.

If you are on a medication that does not provide too much acetominophen over the course of the day, you may be able to take an extra acetominophen tablet (aka Tylenol; please make it regular strength) when you take your current pain medication. I do this when I take my breakthrough pain meds. It increases the effectiveness of the medication and for me, it helps wards off the inevitable headache I get from narcotics. Just be very careful not to overdo the acetominophen; too much can damage your liver (the maximum safe daily amount ranges from 2000-4000 mg depending on the patient and their medical condition).

yes, please make sure your doc's know that you need to take more, more often than not, they will let you take more, and schedule a follow-up to discuss the need to permanently change the script

Yes. If your meds are not covering your pain then you need to tell your doctor instead of taking more. That is only going to cause you trouble down the line and actually get you redlined or flagged which means they will put out an alert to doctors and pharmacies that you only want drugs.
Never a good idea to take more than your doctor gives you. Just be upfront and honest. I had to go through alot of different meds and alot of militrams to get what I needed. I mean I take alot more than the average person but my doctor kneew I wasn't abusing becasue I just wouldn't take it if it didn't helpme. We had to go through bit of trial and error before we got the correct one but I would rahter do it that way than to get to the point where I wasn't allowed to have any and be in agony. Good luck.

Leave a message for your doctor immediately. Ask for permission to increase your dosage. Dont wait until your next appointment. If you cant get ahold of him, leave a message with the receptionist explaining the problem so at least it is documented and request a call back. Make sure you leave a detailed message, not just "call me back".

Everyone has given you pretty good advice already. If your Doctor is as good as you say he is, you should be able to talk to him honestly and openly about how the medications that you are on right now are not working for you.

Most Doctor's if you tell them that you are taking more medication without his permission, will think that you are an addict, they will not understand that you are under-medicated. So, before you get in trouble with this good Doctor of yours, be honest with him. Let him know that these medications are not working, and that you need something else ASAP.

Call your Doctor, call him before the end of the week, so you won't spend an awful weekend.

talk to your doctor.
the meds i was on didn't help out much and was in fear about telling them.
but once i did they helped out by prescribing more meds and higher dosages.
i find my chemist very understanding and they release my meds when ever i need them.
being honest and upfront helps out a lot while dealing cp and doctors.

I have been there myself...I had to go through 2 weeks of pain and withdrawls...it was HELL...but when I went back I told the Dr. that the meds weren't lasting very long and he changed them for me. I ended up changing back but it was not worth taking extra meds...I would keep it to yourself so they don't put a red flag on your file....be strong..

I need 2 vicoprophen 3 times a day to control my pain but for some reason, I have never been able to get more than 1 vicoprophen 5 times a day. I tried being honest with my past doctors (I've had 4 or 5 in five years) and explaining that one doesn't work; I might as well be taking an m&m but they were suspicious. So I worked out a schedule where I skip 15 doses a month to make them last and I hate it. I've had a new doctor for about 8 months and she's definitely the best but I'm afraid to tell her the truth in case she thinks I'm abusing them or selling them. So good luck to you whatever you decide. It's a very twisted road we travel.
P.S. What do people who are not in pain get out of taking pain meds? All I feel is relief.

Speaking of selling, my Stepson stole 2 weeks worth of my Norco and Soma! I was so worried that I would not be able to get my refills; My husband called our insurance, my Dr, and the drugstore and we worked it out. I was very lucky! But my Dr trusts me.
If you are HONEST about what you use, you Dr should increase your dose as needed- Even just to add a few a month for worse days.