Question: I have been on opiate theapy drugs since 1999 and have been on almost every different kinds and strength's due to a failed back surgery in the last part of 1998 November I believe. I had a Dr. in St. XXXXXXX that would switch my pain meds about every 2 years. Once I was on hydromorfone #4 6x's a day as needed along with oxicontin 80 mg 2x's a day which worked great is there a better 12 hour drug to take with the hydromorphone? I was asking because the extended release hydromorphone is only available at 1 every day and they don't last 24 hours for me. I am currently taking 60mg morphine er 3x's a day with 30mg morphine IR 6 x's a day and they are not working very good, I have been on that dosage for the last 2 years. Also wanted to see if after all those years is it possible to remove a anterior/ posterior cage from the stomach without opening the back again??? I realize that I would have to have a MRI or whatever and that your answer would not be a guarantee but like to know the chances of having it removed without opening the back again. The surgeon at the last moment droped a piece of bone in one of the holes for the cage and didn't take a extra 15 minutes to suck it out I was on the table 10 hours with the fluid and blood loss he left it in and noted that particular screw didn't go down to the proper depth and proceeded to screw them in. I don't know if that bone ended up lodged against a nerve or not. I finally had to quit working after trying for 6 years while taking pain meds and finally had to admit that I couldn't handle the pain anymore and had to apply for disability at 47 yrs. old. Would love to go back to work! That's the reason I am asking if its remotely possible my last mri was about 1 1/2 yrs ago.