[pavulon]

Pain pills are a balancing act. Assuming they contain opiates (hydrocodone, oxycodone...), they can cause some serious constipation. Other anti-inflammatory medications can cause GI bleeding over time. Not taking them can limit deep breathing and coughing (a set-up for pneumonia) or limit activity (a set-up for leg clots-->pulmonary embolism-->a potentially life- threatening situation.

If the OP is having problems or concerns with pain control, he needs to work with his doc.