I have multiple nerve problems with my spine, before surgery I was on many pain meds. I liked that my pain management Doctor gave me longer acting meds that I took less often ( once or twice a day as opposed to every four hours), it helped reduce the idea of association of pills to relief. I was also on fentanyl patches which I changed every two days. After surgery the pain was considerably less and it was easy to go off the meds. I think it's horrible that doctors are becoming reluctant to prescribe adequate pain meds. I would have killed myself if I hadn't had relief. I was in pain 24/7 and usually curled up in a fetal position to minimize the pain.