I can't believe they took you off your meds! Tramadol helps me as much as skittles. All these yahoos pill seeking have made people in real pain look suspicion. I don't want to upset you, but my doctor said back surgery has a 50/50 chance of reducing pain. Then steroid shots can cause major bone density problems. Like that's going to help when your spine is compromised. So, staying on pain meds can be a safe choice. Also, oxycontin doesn't have all the aspirin which can destroy you liver, but yahoos pill seek those most of all.