I can’t take Tramadol either. I got into a bad state with extreme dizziness, sweating and fast heartbeat the one time I took it. So with advanced, severe disc degeneration, arthritis and stenosis in the lumbar spine (plus feet knees and neck) I have had various meds. At the hospital Pain Clinic here in Vancouver, 6 days ago, I had a RFA procedure (radio frequency nerve ablations) that targeted the spinal facet joints at L3, L4, L5 left and right. I am actually walking without extreme back pain and it feels great. The procedure is something you could ask your Dr about. I am so relieved. I get tired and sore though to be expected after using a mobility scooter for a year, before that not getting about much. I just hope it lasts a long time! Apparently the nerves grow back so it can vary. Also I ache terribly with weather changing and here in BC west coast it is cool and wet. Yes I am 75 with this slowly getting worse.