Pain Management Community

Hey everyone! I'm new here, and this is my first post, so I figured I'd dive in by asking for some advice. I apologize in advance if this is a long post.

I am currently 16 years old. Starting around age 12, I can remember that I'd start to get hip and thigh pains from time to time, and everyone thought they were growing pains. They were dull aches, and went away after a few days. This time, they came back, and didn't go away.

Starting as the normal stuff, my leg quickly started burning, tingling, aching, and stinging all the time, non-stop. Having went to the E.R., I was hooked up with the hospital's physical therapy program, and the therapists found that nerves in my right lower back were the root of the problem. I actually had to use a cane to walk properly.

Now, after electric stimulation, my leg isn't as bad as it used to be, but it flares up, and when it does, the pain is immense. At the E.R., I was prescribed Mobic (the anti-inflammatory), and Vicodin (the painkiller). So far, the Vicodin is the only thing that makes these flares bearable. Tylenol and Ibuprofen don't help, regardless of the dose. Now, to the actual question: how do I go about asking for something strong for the pain without looking like a druggie?

Doctors have to be cautious over people scamming for pills, I understand. But, the Vicodin is the only thing that I've gotten yet that makes the pain manageable when it gets bad, with Tylenol and Ibuprofen being less than useless. Would I look bad telling the doctor that?

Again, sorry for the long post. Any advice is appreciated!