I've had three back and two neck surgeries, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, and the last in 2006. I was 34 when i had my first and 42 on my last. I am 52 now, stopped taking all opiates since last December because they started to make me very sick to my stomach where i want to vomit constantly. so i stopped cold turkey after taking them since 98. darvocet helped me the best but was taken off the market around 2004, so it has been lousy since then with the pain killers -- however, this is what happened briefly: when the new regulations began on the pill issue and i had to go to additional pain mangagement doctor, i started to get very irritated, also chronic pain doesnt help -- but, after have my back and neck go out since i was 17 and being in real agony eventually ending up not being able to stand, the surgeries saved my life, and i believe i'm better aving had them. so back to pills -- after about 4 months of the **** of peeing in cups every month adn having to take time off work every 30 days to get a f***ing pill that i've been taking forever and seeing the pill seekers in office who caused this who mess in the first place, i couldn't deal with it anymore and decided to stop taking anything where I had to deal with a pain doctor and go throught the monthly appointment crap that was really something i don't have time for. and when the doctor told me he could she i had alcohol in my system from days before - cause i like a beer few days a week -- and said i can't drink even when i'm not taking the pills, i told him id rather stop and have a drink when i want. so i went on my way with 600 mg ibupropnen , neurontin, and soma for mid days when my neck tightens like a drum sometimes. i thought, its not going to be that bad when i don't take my pills sometimes I'm fine.
and I was - for about a month - and then the real pain came. granted i had been taking a management dose like vitamins for a solid five or so years by then, and popped pills since 98 if i felt anything else, but had nars to keep me high alot and at home recoving for a few years since surgeries weere so close together so i didn't even know what pain was. I thought i was going kill somebody. it took about another month of finding out that it depends on what type of surface or chair i sit on causes pain, the angle when lying to reclining. i can't sit over and read or write as long as i used to which i love to do and have to stop and change my position to lying or sitting and at work i'm up and down, adjusting chair contstantly. at around 2 and a half months into it i had such a bad day of pain i was crying. i actually caved and went to the pain dickheads office to ask if i could see anyone or him and get an emergency rx for a couple norco, which is ok at times and not like percocet which is what he was giving me. but these days, i had to make appointment -- i'm literally in agony and i would have to wait a week? f..k that and her suggestion i go to the ER if i'm in pain. it is not like it was where i was treated with dignity and wasnt put into the poorhouse by constant doctor visits at 70 a pop or the er visits that usually are covered all the way, etc. so i went home and crie some more but i got through it. took hot bath, iced, went to my massage girl and cried some more. got a call from doctors assistant two weeks after my drop in saying they had an opening. they can blow me.

i believe that if i move -- just keep moving, no matter how much pain I'm in -- it gets better. it's staying down that makes more pain, just moving. staying busy, walking as much as possible, but making sure to rest my back and my neck and relax for periods of time with right pillows and angles, staying quiet and freee from any anxiety or stress. heat with it or ice packs are like "orgasmic" pain relievers sometimes when everything is flared up and aggravated and just lying down on one for about 20 minutes is wonderful. ice can be a main therapy treatment . swimming is great too. i love to swim and you can gain the strength we need in the muscles to support the problems and stay strong. strength is important so you don't hurt yourself and throw back out and end up in bed for a week. when i had my herniations in the past i had to stay on my back 6 weeks fo reach one. the surgeries ended that and my back and neck can get aggrivated but they never go out because of the titanium holding everthing together.

i get a massage at least one or two times a month from this girl from china who literally kills me, i have tears running out of my eyes, and i make her go deep and hurt me (not where it hurts my hardware), and breath, etc the chinese girls are liscensed but will give you bettter quality with strength, price and also find areas and focus on areas you ask for -- she will stay just on my back and neck for 90 minutes and i am sore for about a day and cant move without feeling like i was hit by a truck, but after that i feel like i am pain free for at least a week and then better for another after that. its a combination of these things now that help me get trough.
Pot makes me eat everything in site and it never has had a positive affect on me, makes me paranoid, and i have never liked it. don't like the feeling -- so that is out -- but a good straight vodka shot over ice with a little cranberry juice - depending on tummy -- sipped slowly dulls pain on bad night too. but no option for everyone. and believe it or not meditation power of the mind.

i wish everyone here good thoughts and i feel you.

strong strong....courage!!

oh, and you don't have to put up with asshole doctors, your orthopedic surgeon is going to be an important relationship to you so you should find someone you can call by their first name -- i waited and also had to meet my share of pricks -- but i got Tim, the older dude for first surgery who adored me and flirted like crazy. he lectured me and i would cry but he would make me feel like he cared and loved me and always gave me anything i wanted appointments, etc. -- then i needed younger superman person - Jason A Smith and I ended up growning up together, we turned 40 together and he is the greatest surgeron and awesome friend to have. it didn't hurt he looked like a movie star. hes in another state now, but because of his expertise, i don't need him anymore. it may take time, but the right doctor is out there for you.