My Doctor Has Been Prescribing Hydrocodone, 2 Per Day, For

My doctor has been prescribing hydrocodone, 2 per day, for some time now. I saw Dr. today and she is not an advocate of taking a narcotic. She prescribed amatryptoline at bedtime. Said it would help me to not take the hydrocodone as much. I read about the amatryptoline and I do not like the way this sounds. The fact that it is an anti-depressant does not sound good to me. I am not depressed. I was on an anti-depressant about 15 years ago when I was going through a difficult personal situation. I had terrible side effects when I got off of it. I do not see the harm in taking hydrocodone. If there was another drug that worked, I would take it, but I have had allergic reactions to so many, and I have had not problem with this one. I think this Dr. has the wrong attitude about a narcotic drug. I am 70 years old, I suffer with arthritis in my back and it is only getting worse. What is the harm in taking this drug at my age.