BTW, I was on the opoids for about 2 1/2 to 3 years and I just stopped taking them and never had a problem. Either I'm just a strange person who doesn't get addicted to opoids or it's because I'm too lazy to take medicines I don't need or maybe it's because I never experienced a high from them. I considered myself lucky all that medicine took even a slight edge off the pain I was in.
The doctor does a radio frequency (really like a microwave) to lull the nerves to "sleep" for a period of time.
After having the first set in late November/December, I have had relief. I'm looking forward to having some also in the upper neck area.
What I have is not operable in the general sense of the word. It will remain as it is now for the future but these treatments have given me some relief from the 24/7 pain that prevents me from getting a night's sleep.
I, as you, have never experienced any kind of dependency on any of the meds I have been given, though I was never given the infamous "oxycontin." I have been given some pretty strong pain killers but either they merely masked some of the pain or made me so sick to my stomach, I gave up taking them.
The good Lord has blessed me by not ever having a dependency issue.
I never condemn anyone who has had serious pain for developing dependency issues as every time I am prescribed something, I am warned that is one of the bad side effects.
The truth is, when one has extreme pain, whether temporary or ongoing, one will do or take anything for relief.