Because of design changes the sample size was however recalculated to be a total of 30 opioid na(SqrRoot) ve patients with chronic OA pain. Fourteen patients, previously recruited under NCCAM, had been randomized to either morphine or placebo and finished the study. Therefore 16 additional patients need to complete the study. Taking into consideration a 25% drop out rate therefore a total of 20 patients need to be recruited. After undergoing overnight baseline hormone sampling all patients will be randomized to one of two treatment groups: MS Contin (15-90 mg), or placebo Doses of placebo and MS Contin will be escalated over 4-8 weeks in a similar fashion followed by a two-week maintenance period. At that point patients will return for repeat 12 hour frequent sampling of the same hormones as at baseline. They will then be tapered off of study medications over a period of 2-4 weeks as outpatients. Subjects will then return to clinic for a final visit and, AM blood will be obtained for ACTH, cortisol, LH, and testosterone.