@rwdixon4
I imagine everyone is different.
While in the hospital (6 nights), I experienced pain but I don't remember it! Unfortunately, I had an ileus due to the pain medications and an electrolyte imbalance (due to 2 days of sugery --2 hours on day 1 and 11 hours on day 2). Because of the ileus, I had to go off the opioids for a few days, and was just on Tylenol, Baclofen, topical agents, ice, heat, and meditation. My husband said I was 10/10 pain levels--but I don't remember it!! Amazing how the mind works. Once my bowels started moving again, I was placed on low dose oxy along the other treatments described above and my pain was well managed.

During inpatient rehab ( 10 nights), I tapered off the oxy, and by the time I left, I was only taking Tylenol daily. I requested an Oxycodone refill for breakthrough, and only took 3 of the pills after my stay in the Impatient Rehab facility. Pain levels were very low at the time I was discharged-- probably a 1-3 at the surgical site, and that weird hypersentivity, in my back for 1 -2 weeks where I would have a flash of intense pain for a few seconds and it would disappear. Pain 8-10).This only happened when I was laying in bed and my husband either layed down causing the mattress to slightly move or he pulled the sheet. Thankfully, the hypersentivity disappeared as quickly as it came!

I have continued to take Tylenol and I do take other drugs to help with a residual radicular issue with my right leg. The nerves are no longer pinched and the hope is that, with time, the issue will disappear as it continues to improve.
As a side note, I highly recommend inpatient rehab as I had 3 hours of therapy every day-- split between physical therapy and occupational therapy.

Don't let any of this scare you. My chronic pain was immediate gone, The surgical pain did not last very long. I don't have pain now, but at times I feel like my back feels likes it needs to relax and I either use ice heat a few times a day and I still watch how long I sit.

Best Wishes!
Nadine