Hi Melodyl,
When I asked my pain management doctor, who is an anesthesiologist, if I would have much trouble getting off the narcotics when I eventually have surgery, she said no.
Apparently there is a drug that has been out in the States for awhile, but is new in Canada this past fall, which allows you to taper off very quickly. She said I could be off morphine in less than a week. Unfortunately, since I don't need it yet, I didn't keep track of the name, but I remember talking to Terry Blackburn here on the board about it.
He has a great knowledge of medications, and may be able to remember what I was talking about. If not, he may have other ideas. I think he may be in the industry, but not sure.
Good luck with it. I was always worried about it until I got reassurances to the contrary. I was always also told that the body doesn't really get addicted to the pain meds if it is truly needed for pain. I hope that is true, but you seem to be arguing that point with your symptoms.
