I have been suffering with fibromyalgia for several years (medically diagnosed in 1999), and on some of my worst days I have pain in my neck , back, shoulders, arms and intermittently in my hands. I have been on hydrocodone 7.5/500 for about four years. It does not completely relieve the pain, but usually makes it where I can get above the pain, and as long as I am busy (have my mind busy and focusing on something), I can usually survive each day. I am 65 and continue to work in an office environment, and hope to be able to continue until I am 70 since I am the only means of support. With all of the new regulations that I am beginning to notice in newspaper articles, etc., how difficult will it be for someone with real pain to be prescribed medications . My internist of 15 years, and who is familiar with my health, including the cervical deterioration in my neck (C-3 and C-4) and my lower back L-4 and L-5) has been prescribing my pain medication. Will I need to become a patient at a Pain Clinic? What option do I have? I am very concerned since there are some days where it is all I can do to put on a happy face and make it through the day before I return home and collapse in bed. Thanks for any information you can share.
posted on
Mon, 11 Feb 2013

Mon, 25 Nov 2013
Answered on

Tue, 26 Nov 2013
Last reviewed on