It was interesting to hear you say the incidence of addiction is low for real cronic pain issues. My Pain specialist is not very worried about me being addicted to a low dose of Morphine. He has given me infusions also for my cerivical spine. However I am terrified of the stuff. I do not abuse anything, but I worry about my future. I have degenerative disk disease, in many areas of my spine. I didn't really have a choice with taking this drug, or my quality of life would be caputs. Should I be worried about the future with this medication? I have dropped from a huge dose before my last spinal fussion to 30 x 2 day. I am one year post op, and I want to go down to 45mgs. this coming Jan. Pain is tolerable right now. It is the long term I am worried about. I want to be able to have some good parts to my life, as this is only one of several degenerative, and autoimmune disease I have. ginnie

Worried? I don't think so. Worry is rarely constructive or therapeutic.

Prudently concerned and vigilant? Definitely.

The keys are to follow the directions/rules conscientiously, jump through the proverbial hoops, and keep a frank, honest and open dialog/relationship with your doctors - everything above board. Keeping a pain journal may help. Then if (<-- BIG "if" ) you get into trouble down the road, they'll be there for you and help you through it. It's doctors who feel they've been deceived/betrayed who wind up bailing on a patient or cutting them off.

There are always new developments and hope, but realistically, you may be on some sort of narcotic pain medication for the rest of your life. You're on a journey - it's a process. Keep reading, learning, communicating - about your conditions, your meds, chronic/intractable pain, and the politics that are increasingly governing its treatment. Become aware, pro-active, and your own advocate. All of these can help you keep on the path, and....

Reduce the Sense of Suffering, and
Improve the Quality of Life

IMO, your attitude and goals are excellent (but again, realistically, your dosage will probably go up over the long term; every patient/medication is different).

Doc