Tylenol does not work for me what do I do?

 I use Vicodin and Tramadol. I also use Flexeril for the bad shoulder I have - it's a muscle relaxer.

 I also use Tramadol for a back injury. I had to go to a pain clinic and ortho surgeon first, them was required to sit thru a seminar on addiction and watch a video brfore I was prescribed anything. The area I live in has a large amount of drug seekers. I have a standing Rx for 40 vicodin but only get it filled once a year. The tramadol works well 90% of the time but does still have a chance for addiction.

Many doctors are afraid to prescibe narcotics because State regulators keep track.  The only doctors (as far as I understand it) that have less restriction are anesthesiologists, which is why so many pain doctors come from that specialty. 

I agree with whoever said that your partner should try to get a pain specialist.  A good one really will try thier best to alleviate the pain.

     She was referred to a pain clinic but they said they can't pinpoint the exact problem but also said they want to give her epidurals in her spine! How can they stick needles in your spine before they know what the problem is. Some of those injections can do more harm then good. Neither of us feel comfortable with them doing procedures without knowing the actual problem. Her situation is almost unreal. I truly can't believe the issues we are having. The pain clinic said that all they could do injections but no pain meds what so ever. Her PCP did give her 10 vicodin once. They were they lowest dose so it did nothing. She made them last a month though. they didn't even touch the pain unfortunately.
     I myself think tramadol is the best option for RNY patients like us with pain. My doctor will prescribe me that though I try not to take any meds if I don't have to. My partners PCP gave her a prescription for tramadol last summer. My partner was so happy because she said it alleviated the pain and it wasn't a narcotic which is a plus. Unfortunately on our summer Vermont trip about 5 days after starting the tramadol she broke out into HORRIBLE hives and ended up in the ER. The poor girl can't win! No NSAIDS and no tramadol for her. This subject gets me so fired up. Once she has better insurance I hope she can get better doctors.

In Canada we can get CC&A (Codeine, Caffeine & Aceteminophen) OTC. It has 1 gm of codeine in it. Now of course, codeine can constipate, but for occasional use, it's not bad.