What state are you in? (So that I never, ever go there!! Just kinda kidding!)

To answer your initial question, yes, I have had difficulty in getting pain meds.

Oddly, I am former law enforcement also with absolutely ZERO history of substance abuse. And yet, that seems to count for nothing! I get an attitude when I am forced to go to the ER; And then my neuro "doesn't believe in" opiates and insists that a combo of Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen has an equal effect to Vicodin without the high or risk of addiction - um yeah. Definitely not addicitive, but I wouldn't give it credit for having the same analgesic properties.

I have had Gamma Knife, glycerol injection, and balloon compression on the right side with marginal success. Now, the TN has flared on the left side....hello, Dilantin, haven't we met before?