@heisenberg34- I have suffered from chronic back pain for years. Although treatments and medications have reduced that terrible aching, my life is far from what you described as "almost normal". Having 50-60% of all that pain still wears me out physically and emotionally. My life style is negatively impacted by the need to lie down or other palliative measures when ever necessary during the day. I am thankful for the relief I do get, but unfortunately, the remaining pain is constant and its magnitude is such that it erodes the quality of life no matter how one defines it. I do accept my situation with appreciation of the pluses ( could be a lot worse), but I won't "sugar coat" my discomfort just to please the medical community I am dealing with.