I have chronic pain, its in my leg. My doctor informed me today that he doesnt think I need pain meds at all. Im terrified and its triggering me into dark dark places.And its likely to get worse not better as the pain keeps me up so I lose sleep and I have obvious mental health issues that worsen under stress and lack of sleep. He told me I could make an appointment for pain education but in the past his wisdom included things like "read a magazine!". Im skipping between panic and outrage here.

I looked around and read a few posts here and saw when people posted about being denied pain meds people asked if there was any substance abuse problems in the past. I do have this, but it was marijuana and a decade ago. Is this following me around still and the reason I'm left to suffer? My pain isnt going away anytime soon and things like reading a magazine arent working at all. I know I could go to the ER and probably get something since they always take care of me there but I dont think theres anything they can do besides give me something for the pain which is a temporary fix.

Is it worth finding a new doctor? Or am I just doomed to live like this for possibly decades? The thought of that scares the living daylights out of me.