Everyone is here is right! The best ally you have with this new doctor is THE PAIN DIARY! It doesn't have to lengthy; detail, detail is the key. I know you wouldn't, but it's not the sort of thing one wants to 'create' the day before or the morning of the next visit...just jot down the time and one word describing how you feel at different times of the day! I use the big calendar in my bathroom- I jot down my moods, what i got done that day, pain levels, etc. That way, if the Bextra doesn't work and you do need more pain meds, the dr will be gratified to see that you are at least working on the progress with him....if the Bextra does start kicking in here and there, hooray! You will be able to spot the trend yourself and that might make you feel so good you can cut back on the Vicodin.

Either way, the diary dignifies your experiences and dr. visit, usually. Now if it doesn't, that's another problem...
not one to worry about now, though!

Hey, Congratulations, on having the courage to go to a new Dr. It's not easy after a while! But you are smart to do it for the $$$$$ and many other reasons!