I take tramadol... I got off all opioids... that is just a downward spiral. I take a muscle relaxer also. Gabapentin and Meloxicam. Also duloxetine for nerve pain. I also meditate... I. Can not recommend meditation enough... it relaxes me so much and calms my mind....

Unfortunately. Its trail and error. Start keeping a pain diary. Maybe that will help you narrow down what works. Also write down what you did before you hurt or just because it hurts from sitting or laying the wrong way.

Sandy Nobitt. I kept a pain diary for about a year and a half. I would stay on medicine at least 6 times.sometimes changing every 3 or 4 months. I felt like I was in just a mind set where there was nothing to help me. My sed rates were off the charts. My Rhematologist told me that I was to hard on my self. People especially my family had me thinking maybe I wasn't in as much pain as I was saying I was. But I was falling all the time. I was dragging my left leg. If I went to Wal-Mart. I would have tears flowing because I was hurting so bad. My doctor finally had enough. He ask me if he could call my family and let them know HOW bad I was. The AS was raging. I was afraid to talk to anyone. I got so depressed and down hearted. I would talk on the phone, answer my door. I quit taking my medicine. And I wouldn't even go to the pain clinic. Because I had it in my mind that there was not anything wrong. I was just feeling sorry for my self. But. I knew deep down something was wrong. I just didn't know what. Then my pain doctor wanted to put me on Sufentanyl. Which is the strongest opioid you can take. But I told him I didn't think I needed it.and I didn't go back to him for 2 months. But I was made to go back because on the 3rd month I had to have my prescription sent to the pharmacy who fills my pump. I started to not go. But the withdraweks were hell. So when I went back they changed my medicine out with THE Sufentanyl. And within hours I was feeling better. But of course that just lasted 3 weeks. They said my pain was so bad. I had already built up a tolerance. He ordered CTs to see if I had broken my back again. But I have a 7 cm leasion on my spine which is causes by THE AS. And several of my disc have gotten bulges and down below where my plate in my lower back they saw 5 bone spirs and my left hip is rubbing bone on bone. They say surgery want fix my problem but want to try and ease my pain. But I have had 5 back surgeries. I have decide I am not having any more.

They tried so many times to do those shots but they never took. And then I learn they weaken your bones so I said nope. Not doing any of that anymore. My spine is about to go as it is. So when she started to burn the nerve endings around the spine, man.... I haven't felt somewhat normal for years. It last anywhere from 8 to 12 months. And I am off the high doses of medication for painkillers. After years of taking that stuff, it does mess with your mind, etc. Doimo effect. Horrible.
I gotten depressed. I would not talk to anyone or didn't want people to see me when I have really bad days. When I learn my spine slipped in 2013, I was scare to death. I didnt leave my bed for 2 years. I went downto 98 lbs. But it took a long time for me to get out of that frame of mind. I have my young daughter to take care. I always felt like I would not be like my daughters friends parents and always wanting to do. And it hard to plan anything because you just don't know how it will go. Bad weather? Forget it. I can feel high and low pressure over 100 miles away. Cold weather, yeah not happening. I had to learn to live with it. I try my best. I was always that type of person that just goes and goes and never stop. I felt like I went from 200 miles straight into a brick wall. Took many, many years for me to be okay, and stop feeling sorry for myself. I don't want my daughter to see that. She has been the best though. And she helps me a lot. I fell once after using the bathroom. Both legs and feet went out and I couldn't feel anything from the waist down. My sister and mom rushed into the bathroom and started to massage my feet and legs to get the circular motion and it took about 5 minutes before I had feeling again. That was just last November. Now I am feeling a lot of pain on my tailbone so just had my xrays done to see it if fracture. I am crossing my fingers. Before I found this pain management dr, after 20 plus years of going through doc, after doc; I finally found one who really does care and what's to help me and she has. I hate when doctors treat you like your just a pill popper. Or other people for that matter. People can't see our disease so they don't think anything is wrong with us.

Just hang in there and know you have people here who truly understand what we go through. I wish you all the best and find relief for your pain. Please stay safe during our pandemic because I believe we fall under people with underlying health issues.

Don’t go the medication route if you don’t have to. It’s a Terrible way to go - TRUST ME. Try water therapy, pain management (without prescriptions), physical therapy, low profile exercise, short walks, Tylenol or ibuprofen (NO OPIOIDS!!) Swimming. **The opioid way is a down hill way to go! **