I underwent 4 abdominal surgeries between 2003 and 2005. In 2004, I was admitted to Johns Hopkins for 9 weeks and was on a PCA pump of Dilaudid for 8 of those weeks. I was weaned to oral Percocet and took those sporadically for the next few months and after the next surgery, went on a PCA pump of Fentanyl. Was weaned to Percocet and also had Oxycontin available. I never developed an addiction but all of the surgeries left me with an abdomen full of adhesions in addition to the chronic pancreatitis that occured earlier. I was referred to a pain management doctor at Hopkins who gives me Tramadol. I take 100 mg of Tramadol at a time, sometimes a couple times a day, sometimes not for days at a time. I know that I coulld be prone to addiction but I am not. I urge anyone with issues to research a pain management specialist at the nearest university-affiliated medical center. Do a search of their pain management doctors and get yourself a referral. It will be one of the greatest gifts that you can give yourself. They can help you get your life to a level that you may not otherwise be able to attain.