I think this is the correct place to post, I apologize if it is not, as this is my first time posting in this section.
I am a chronic pain patient, about 4 years ago I received trauma to my face, ended up chipping a few teeth, dislocating my jaw, black eye...etc...was my own fault but still sucks...anyways I was on vacation and said fuck it, kept partying, and drinking...being stupid, but about 2 weeks later the pain hit me...idk why it took so long but come to find out through my dentist it was TMJ-Disorder...to which he said it should go away on its own and prescribed me a small amount of narcotics and muscle relaxers, cool!!! except it didnt go away...so he referred me to an oral surgeon, who of course did xrays, etc...and said "well, its not broken" it should just go away on its own!, "Here are a few more narcotics and muscle relaxers to take at night" (I didnt want them, i wanted to get fixed not cover up the issue)...So about 1 year later, reffered to a specialist/pain doctor, who then referred me to another surgeon who referred me to get an MRI...and Whalla!!! the disc was being pinched and the joint was not aligned properly...had surgery, surgery failed, referred me to a pain managment doctor, who asked me honestly how bad it was (He wasnt too familiar with my condition) to which is said..livable but miserable, I told him I didnt want a life-time supply of narcotics, but we discussed my issue and he said there really isnt anything else out there...(they cant do anymore surgeries) and NSAIDS long term are bad, and im allergic to some of the more powerful ones anyways. SO i told him, I can live with the pain just gime like 60 hydrocodone, that will last me 3 months as i take as needed, or after a crunchy meal, or wearing army helmet etc..the next appointment, (now 2 years ago), I told him it was too much...I can make do with 50 instead, for 3 months...he was fine with this obviously, and even said you dont see many young people, (im 25) tell a doctor they dont need more narc, usually other way around...so everything has been good since...havent missed an appointment, never asked for early refills...ever, been self-rationing my meds for quite a while now, and practicing dicipline with much success. BUT I am running out fast now...its only 2nd month, and im now down to 18...I dont want to ask for early refill, since its supposed to last 3 months, never have...but these past few months have been really bad...extra duty, extra work, which i have to wear a helmet that the strap pulls and pushes...shit weighs 5lbs, and not to mention basically living off crackers...not exactly ideal for TMJ-Disorder....anyways
Sheesh im done with that...sorry for the book, my question is this, Do you think it would raise red flags with my Doctor, if i tell him that I failed at self-medicating and failed and holding off on taking more than what i rationed? even if it was to treat excess pain, that usually is non-existant most months...I dont want to get him in trouble, nor do i want to be on his "Abuse watch list"....I know in the grand scheme of things, 50 7.5mg Hydrocodone to last 90-93 days, is nothing...but still, its a scheduled narcotic...and im trying to do the right thing. Also, might I add that I have been so disciplined in taking my medication properly, that when its written out, it does NOT say (Must last 3 months on bottle) merely...1-2, every 4-6 hours as needed for pain...which implies 30 day supply if max dose was taken each time...idk if that changes anything Thanks for any input.
-------------------- Trading Prints -Nature gave us one tongue and two ears so we could listen twice as much as we speak-
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