Why are you worrying about it so much or feeling guilty? We have a horrible pain condition and deserve to be pain free or at least be treated with pain medication.

I take Norco 3 or 4 times daily. If I don't take it I won't have any kind of quality of life. Why should I feel guilty? I'm not going to let someone else make me feel guilty and you shouldn't either.

I agree with skinnybinny. I take extended release morphine, and also oxycodone for break through pain. I'd rather not need to be on any medicine, but my doctor told me he fears I would be bedridden if I were not on meds to help mask my pain, and after weaning down to test it, I agree with him. There is no guilt, nor should there be. It is awful when a doctor, pharmacist, or anyone else passes judgment on another over pain medication.

I don't understand why either patients or doctors question what works. I've seen a number of cases where the patient is doing well on a regimen and a new doctor decides they should be doing something different just "because."

If its working for you just go with it.

I've taken hydrocodone for breakthrough pain for nearly 10 years. No side effects, never increased the amount except during a flare or injury, and both my doctors and I are satisfied with the outcome.

Don't compare yourself with anyone else - do what works for you.

Thank you for all your responses. I know I should not feel guilty and when I am at my worse, I don't.
I had a conversation with a woman last week that has Lyme disease and she takes all sorts of natural meds for her pain and fatigue. As we were talking, she basically said I will probably keep getting worse and that I should go the natural route. I am sure we all think this will go on forever and I guess being 42 years old, I just wonder what will I feel like in 20 or 30 years?
Ahhh, FIBRO!

When you encounter people who want to judge your chosen treatment options (especially if they're working for you), smile, nod, and say you'll mention (whatever they're suggesting) to your doctor at your next visit.

We all have to do what works for us. Making suggestions is great. Judging isn't. A person who says something like "you're just going to get worse if you don't do what I say" isn't helping - they're judging.

I take hydrocodone 3 times a day. Everyone is different, no need to feel guilty...but I know what you mean. Sometimes I feel the same way. But I have tried other things and I have so many allergies. I am scared to keep staying on pain meds and getting higher doses or going up to a stronger pain medication, or becoming dependent or addicted. However I've been taking these for a few years and I'm not dependent or addicted. I've had to quit taking for 5 days to do allergy testing, and sometimes I run out of money and can't fill my prescription for a few weeks. I'm just in more pain, other than that I don't have any withdrawls or anything.

I have been on pain med's for 12 years and at this point I do not think I will ever come off. Due to the chronic pain, I try and take toradol to instead of relying only on narcotics.but it does not last as long for pain. do not worry there will always be use who do have to use meds. take care isabee

I have the guilt on rare occasion, too, but if I didn't take my hydrocodone daily, I wouldn't be able to have any kind of life. It's bad enough as it is! The pain meds only take the edge off to allow me to get around and do the minimal of activities.

I know it's hard, but try not to let the comments of others make you feel guilty for your treatment. I think we're very fortunate our doctors take our pain seriously and will treat it with something that helps.

For those of you lucky enough to be on pain meds. be thankful.I am in living hell.You cannot get pain meds here in Florida anymore.The goverment got involved because teenager were abusing them and o.d ing.But for those of us that need them this is a nightmare.I was on for 10 years.It's now 1yr. since any pain meds.I'd give anything to have that relief even for a day.They don't take pain away totally but a world of difference.I can't even move my neck this morn and whole body hurts.Makes me more depressed.Just a horrible vicious cycle.Do not feel guilty!!!!!!!!

laurjil-I am sorry to hear about the problems in Florida. I know some states have really made it impossible to RX pain meds.
I live in WA and I know that a lot of doctors and ER's are totally against pain meds. They make you feel like you are drug addicts. It is so sad.
I left my doctor in Oregon because she became very judgemental and every visit would ask me why I was taking the Norco (hello???). I lucked out and found an understanding Physician Assistant in my city. She said she has no problem with what I am taking because it is such a small dose. I hope I can stay at this dose, but I know I will have to go up one day.

Everybody has different levels of pain and diff. meds work differently on each of us.Take what u need t be as comfortble as possible.This is what is so frustrating that i know i can be a little better if i had meds.To me its like if u r diabetic u need insulin.If u have pain u need pain meds.But here i am suffering with so many disabilities and still fighting for SSDI after working 33yrs.Some days i wonder,i really have no liife.sorry to b such a downer but my pain gets worse everyday.Thankfully i have one cat left.

Laurjil, I'm so angered by what you and others are having to endure! It just is ludicrous to me what has happened to our healthcare, if you can call it that. I'm praying for you to have strength, and that your doctors will come around.

Unfortunately its not just the Drs. The pharmacies Walgreens,CVS,Walmart,etc. Don't/won't carry pain meds.I had a RX and couldn't get it filled.The Cymbalta barely touches the pain.I have no quality of life. The other day i was so disgusted that i said why don't i just go to nursing home.I wish the ppl that make these policys could spend a day in my body /life.

I take Cymbalda to help with the everyday pain, put when I have a flare or breakthrough pain I will take Vicodin when needed. I don't feel guilty, will take what I need to keep going.

I took my share, but I have managed to get off them. If you want to read my story, you will see, it wasn't easy for me, but I was determined. You see, I wanted MY MIND back. It was such a struggle to do anything with all those drugs in my body. They only make the fibro-fog worse. Once I was able to get control of my fibro pain and get off the drugs, my fibro-fog also disappeared. It has been 8 years now and I am doing as well as ever. Of course, the fibro pain still comes back when I overdo or work too much, but it has never been like it was when I first started fighting back!
These days, I might have an occasional relapse of pain, but since I learned the exact massage techniques to get rid of it, now it only lasts a day or two and I am back to normal again. Most people cannot even tell I have fibro anymore, I walk normally and can do most anything!