I'm sorry you are living with pain, too. I think the best approach is not to look for all the pain medicine you can get, but to find someone who will work with you to alleviate the pain. Lowering the pain levels is a good goal. Eliminating the pain just might not be feasible, even with tons of pain med. If you go with the frame of mind for a lot of pain med, no one will give you any, imo. Plus, your past history of midhandling medicine would scare most doctors off also. Sorry.

There are many ways to manage pain. I have and use several. Physical Therapy, stretching, heat packs, ice packs, massage, TENS, and anti inflamatory med, along with pain med. I also see a T who specializes in pain management and stress management. My frame of mind has a lot to do with how high the pain levels are perceived and my reaction to them. Anxiety and stress can also increase pain, since muscle tension can cause an exacerbation.

Hopefully you'll find some things to help reduce your pain, so at least you won't feel so desperate. TC