He may know another pain management doctor who prescribes meds.

Just curious? Could your back issues be treated surgically? I know it's no day at the park, but my brother has had 2 surgeries for stenosis and herniated discs (lumbar and cervical) and is finally pain free.

Surgeries are limited for me for a while. And honestly, the medication worked so well for me, I am afraid of what back surgery might do. My spinal specialist said that it's a 50/50 chance between making it better and making it worse.

I might have to try that route though if nobody is willing to continue medication therapy.

If any of your spinal issues are in your lumbar region, you'll probably have less pain as you lose weight. It will probably make you a better candidate for surgery as well. Without losing weight, a big belly would still put a lot of pressure on your spine. I know - I have one!

There are no guarantees...my Mom was rail thin and had the same spine issues...but it might make a difference for me. Fingers crossed big time.

I hope like anything that you can find a sympathetic doctor...

Physicians here are extremely reluctant to prescribe narcotics. My. poor dying mother suffered horribly until she was finally given the 6-month to live prognosis that allowed her to have hospice care. Thank god for hospice. Wonderful people.

But it's tempting to try it without a prescription anyway. :/

That is outrageous that people are forced to suffer horribly because of a few. Our country has gone effing insane.

Hopefully he'll be able to give you a referral. I would try every doctor within driving distance, within train distance if necessary...surely there must be somebody who can help you.

Back in about 2000 I was taking oxycontin at pretty high levels for pain related to rheumatoid arthritis. When the new biologics came out the pain became a lot more manageable and I didn't need the oxycontin for pain anymore.

Try to find another doctor, get a referral from your current one if possible. If he's legitimate he may be able to refer another pain specialist. The people trying their best in this field are having a hell of a time because of a few pill mill docs that do nothing but destroy lives for profit.

You aren't taking that much right now, at least compared to my highest doses. Oxycodone at 10mg 3X per day is a pretty good dose but if you are managing to hold to the 3X per day the withdrawals if you need to go through them shouldn't be as horrible as you imagine. It's not pleasant by any stretch but not the hell you probably think it will be.

I started off trying to taper but found myself constantly climbing back to the higher levels. I finally, with my doctors approval, went cold turkey. The physical effects while really bad (think terrible flu) only lasted about 3 days and then another few days of much milder and easy to cope with psychological effects.

I had the benefit of no longer needing the oxycodone for my condition so I didn't have the pain returning. Hopefully you don't need to go this route but I wanted to tell you my experience. You aren't the only one that has to go through it, if you can't obtain more medicine see if your doctor can at least help you with the withdrawals, there are some medicines that can ease it a bit, not much but a bit.

I hope everything works out for you.

That's considered patient abandonment. At he very least the doc needs to refer you to another specialist that can help you wean off the narcs. Look into it and good luck.