Macy,
Still, I'm sorry that you have to go through all of this - that was poor treatment and I think that your reply was spot-on. Going to a pain management specialist can work out well - there are ones that know all about neuropathic pain management strategies, ie.: the anti seizure meds and the anti depressants. Mine gives me dilaudid, btw, which is 7 times stronger than morphine, which is a heck of a lot stronger than vicodin. Furthermore, and forgive me please if this sounds wrong, I don't mean it to, and I am just being pragmatic, but there is no reason to worry about addiction in a 70 year old patient - at this age you are simply concerned with pain control. Just establish a baseline of usage, where they can see that you take about the same amount each month, and they should be fine continuing to prescribe. There are certain ways that addicts act, and pain specialists are sharp at identifying it, so you should be fine. Don't worry - you will find the right doctor, and if they are apathetic like this last one, find a new one. Mine is always intellectually interested in his work, and it shows.
Good luck, and they have no darn right to treat you that way. Keep on telling us how things go, ok?

Lily