Fred, an astute and experienced RN (I've been a nurse for 30 yrs) can usually tell the difference between the "drug seeking" patients versus one truly in pain versus someone who is opioid tolerant (and in pain), not necessarily by their own doing but as a result of years of over medication by their prescribing MD. Whatever the case I like to think of myself as an empathetic nurse who doesn't let subjective judgements, co worker chatter or assumptions affect the way I care for the patient....... With dignity and respect (which believe me in SOME cases is a challenge.

Anyway, I don't expect to be treated as "Drug seeking" since I will make it clear I'm not interested in any narcotic analgesics. I'm fortunate that my pain isn't that severe, more of a gnawing ache that's livable just really annoying and I'm hopeful there lies a treatment for this nerve irritation/inflation which doesn't involve daily systemic oral medications.