The reasons you posted are rather odd! I've never been told opiods increase pain. They do lose their effectiveness as we become use to them and that's one of the reasons they have to increase our doseage. I know there has been a lot of publicity about the widespread distribution of drugs to the military vets but I'm not aware of a concentrated effort to stop dispensing them to those of us that need them. Very odd I think. If you can't get any satisfaction from the VA and its omsbudsman I recommend you write your senators and ask them to intervene. Military vets is a sensitive subject for the politicians and I imagine they will get some answers for you. Maybe the doc you are assigned to has a personal agenda? I would ask the doc to please refer you to the regulation or directive requiring him or her to stop dispensing your pain meds. I wouldn't threaten but say you need to understand why. I feel your pain. After 20 years in the Corps, my back is shot and I've had multiple operations, fusions, injections, etc and I have to take every narcotic they will give me to just get through the day. I've been on them so long they have little effect any more but I have little choice. Hang in there my brother or sister and let me know what happens to you. Maybe between us we can get some action for you. Semper fi.