Question: Seventy-eight year old female; suffered a fall, seemed to have severe pain around rib cage. Went to the emergency room, x-rays revealed no broken ribs, had CT scan of chest and upper abdomen and that looked good. Stayed over night for observation, but discharged next day with a pain management regimen: Lidocain 5mg patch; hydrocodone-acetaminophen 5-325 (1-2 tabs every 4-6 hours as needed for pain). Follow-up with GP in 8 days. Hydrocodone ran out and called the GP for a refill of hydrocodone ( 21 tablets, same strength but now just 1 tab every 6-8 hours). Pain did not alleviate at that rate so personal decision to take 2 tabs every 6-8 hours (as previous and pain seemed to lessen); re-fill ran out before seeing GP for followup. GP would not re-fill Hydrocone again before the follow-up; GP suggested alternating ibuprofen and acetaminophen or seeing a neurologist or going to emergency room again for the pain. Tried the over the counter meds, still getting bed rest but the pain with breathing and movement does not respond to the over the counter meds (still using the Lidocaine patch). Any thoughts about dealing with the pain?