Its a balancing act on the high wire. Healing is hindered by pain so it must be managed. There comes a time when the narcotics will get in the way of healing. A good MO will know when it's time for you to stop. At a certain point, if you are still in chronic pain then the doctors need to look for another reason for your pain.

Ray, ALL narcotics cause constipation, even medium strength ones like Vicodin. Severe hydration problems will also exacerbate constipation problems, so it's vital to stay hydrated. Many here have confided that the worst issue they faced during treatment was constipation.