Question: I am in a great deal of pain almost constantly. Writing you might seem a little drastic but considering how I feel I don't think it is. I have osteoarthritis in both hips and my left knee. I was scheduled to get my right hip replaced already but they had to put it off until I get my teeth fixed. I guess because of infection. My primary physician, Dr Mark Giovanelli from Jerseyville, passed away a few weeks ago. I found a doctor in Bethalto that took me. He continued the medications that I was on but reduced the dosage. I have a prescription for four 10s a day of vicodin. Two 5s of Xanax and one 40 of paxil. I have read that vicodin is used for mild to moderate pain and I know that I am well beyond that. I should have a new hip before too long so this would be a, just to get me through, kind of thing. There are things that would make this pain a lot easier to deal with and I think that I am a good candidate for something stronger. I maybe should have asked my new doctor but with it being my first visit I was afraid that he maybe wouldn't give me anything. Thanks for listening and I would appreciate some help.