pain management for addicts

[flyforfish]

Long story short I started abusing pain pills 2 years ago because I was not being adequately prescribed for my back injury.  Most recently 7.5mg per day of hydrocodone great 3 hours of semi pain relief a day. I have stenosis and arthritis in l4 l5 s1. so I started outsourcing my medication from 3rd parties I fully acknowledge this is wrong but I pleaded with my doctor and presented research ect. Well I was spending a fortune on pills and it has admittedly gotten far out of hand. My wife found out the extremes of what I was doing and has mandated that I go to outpatient rehab and no more hydrocodone. I am 8 days clean the worst is over, but back to the source I can barely go to work (I'm a firefighter) so what are my options at this point I've been doing epidural injections with no success. On the addiction board everybody is screaming no methadone,  but is it a good option for me?  I mean the user it for addicts and people with chronic pain and I'm both so?  I dunno

[remar]

Were you seeing a pain specialist before or were you seeing your family Dr?I'm asking because if was your family Dr some of them know little about how to manage chronic pain. A pain specialist does. That's what I would recommend, getting in to see a pain specialist. Ask your family Dr to recommend one or you can do your own research on the internet to find one with high patient ratings.One that truly understands their patients and their needs. You will most likely have to sign a contract and only take the medication you're prescribed so be prepared for that.

[remar]

I'm so sorry. I forgot to add that the pain specialist will most likely require your medical records. Make sure you have your Dr send everything so the specialist can see what your medical conditions are. it will help them decide how to treat you.

[ChristNonsense]

I would take under consideration the advice of your physician (medical professional) well over-and-above a bunch of Internet Strangers 'screaming' about methadone. Geeeesh.... who gives a rat's a** about some stranger's 'opinion' when it comes to your health...