What does everyone do now that noone is allowed painkillers anymore?

I read someone's post about being tapered off their pain medication. I like that their dr was smart and tapering them. I was in for a shock when I called my dr and was told that they no longer prescribe pain killers and I would need to be referred to a pain management. (I was fortunate that my primary dr was able to prescribe them to me.) I'm also fortunate that I don't need them everyday, just as needed when I really can't stand it. (I can handle the pain when I'm at home, it's really for just when I'm at work, or if I find myself out and can't handle it.)

It's causing me so my stress and anxiety which is making the situation even worse. A few weeks ago I had a situation where I was in extreme pain and normally I would have taking a painkiller and things would have been fine. But now I'm being stingy since I don't know if I'll be prescribed anymore. So the only method of pain I know of is what I used to do in my early 20s/late teens when I was first diagnosed which was just dig my nails into my skin to try to advert the pain somewhere else. And it doesn't really work that well. I'm a teacher, so it's hard for me to 'fake it' when I'm in pain, or to even carry on a conversation with a student. My whole mind goes blank, I can't think, let alone if it's a day where I have to actually teach a lesson. I don't know. I'm just feeling really helpless, as I'm sure many of us are.

I have an appointment with a pain management specialist on Thursday, and I don't have much hope in him either. They list 'prayer' on the website as one of their 'solutions' for pain management!

Yeah, I know. I was always fortunate that I had a doctor that prescribed it when others didn't. My NY doctor didn't years ago, I had to go to a specialist there, but I guess my doctor once I moved to Nevada was more liberal with the prescription pad. But I've see billboards all over and newspaper headlines that shout about the opioid crisis, so I guess I should have prepared myself for the news.

I just don't know what people do when that moment of pain hits them while in their profession. Sometimes going to the bathroom helps the pain, sometimes it doesn't, though either way, it's hard to do as a teacher. I don't know. What do you do in that moment?

Hello Melody, we have not heard from Sara since the above posting. The opioid crisis is very much alive & thriving here in the US & more & more restrictions are being put into play here by the government. I read recently that Canada had also adopted the US guide lines some time ago too.

Be thankful that you have access when needed.

Surfer, I remember a month or so ago your dr went out of town leaving you hanging without pain meds for a couple of weeks. Were you able to get any meds during this time, I hope so.