i would like to share my experience. I have rheumatoid arthritis and have had it since age 13. I have been taking hydrocodone since i was 14, started taking oxycontin and hydrocodone for breakthrough 10 years ago at 25. I have been able to function as a normal person. I went through a few years of going off of them when i would gain mass amounts of weight and unable to do anything. I have only had my dosage adjusted twice, i am able to walk 6 miles a day plus go up and down 3 flights of stairs x16 times a day. Opiates have saved my life.