Hi ~ I have to agree with you. However, you will find that NO doctor will prescribe enough medication to make you PAIN FREE. None of us with chronic pain are pain free. In fact hardly ANY of us are even COMFORTABLE. These doctors are afraid of the DEA -- they're afraid of making us addicted, which is ridiculous. Very RARELY does a real chronic pain patient become addicted to their pain medications! That's because we use the meds for PAIN -- not for pleasure! If we could convince our doctors of this, we'd be better off, but they look at us with suspicion half the time.

I've been a chronic pain patient for over 25 years, and like you I'm in nasty pain all the time. I'm on 10mg of Methadone 3 times a day -- need I tell you that it just doesn't work?? Plus I'm using a .75mcg patch of Fentanyl, and even THAT isn't working anymore. I have asked MANY times for an increase, as I haven't had an increase since I began seeing him which was about 6 years ago but he keeps saying NO.

Instead of using heat, you'd be better off to use ICE. Heat causes more swelling in the back, as it draws blood to the heated area. Ice reduces swelling and also inflammation, thus reduces pain. Use the ice for 20 minutes every 2 hours. It should help ALOT.

I wish you the very best. Keep us posted on how you're doing. God bless and take care. Hugs, Lee