Hi, @oregongirl and @lioness. I am sorry that you both are experiencing so much pain.
I totally get it. This year it almost seems like the more medicine I take, the worse pain I experience. I just spent two days with my young friend at the UAB Hospital Medical Center for a gazillion doctor's appointments.

I found myself taking much less medicine for my Fibromyalgia, Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Arthritis, Plantars Fasciitis, Carpal Tunnel, and Muscle Spasms. And more supplements, such as Magnesium and Turmeric. I did not wear my brace, neither did I use my cane. Going from appointment to appointment, I had to pack really light. In order to accommodate for Water, Phone, and other necessary items one would need throughout the day.

Except for not having the option of lying down during the middle of the day, I did better using less meds and more supplements. The walking helped strengthen my back, I believe. Plus the endorphins, helped my mood.
This may not be for everyone, but for me personally, my doctors give me the leeway to take a minimum dosage and a maximum dosage. I freely take advantage of this. Plus, I am going to enforce much stricter rules about exercise. I have known all along that it is helpful in reducing pain levels, But isn't it so hard at times to force ourselves to exercise when pain is intolerable? Such is life, they say.

"Talk" to you dear people later!