I have pain from herniated disks as well as a spinal cord tumor removed from C6/C7 (ependymoma) -- 28 years ago. My walking has degraded over time with the pain levels increasing. I've tried many pain drugs & most of them affect me cognitively. The best drug for me is to take 50 mg Tramadol in the morning with my cup of coffee. It takes the edge of my pain. I also use physical therapy to increase the strength in my core and legs ... we also do a lot of stretching exercises. I try to control the things that I can control. I try to stay way from worrying about my state of pain. My pain fluctuates from 5 to a 6. I've tired oblation on my discs ... killing the nerves ... works for a couple months but the nerves grow back. My primary doctor wants me to try an epidural ... I'm not sure how long these last. I usually go to a new technique when my back starts to spasm. The spasms last for a couple of weeks along with sciatica down my left leg. The key for me is to get though these periods with additional pain techniques. I', normally good with my 50 mg tramadol. You just got to try new things when you pain levels are 7 & higher. I have some discussion with my pain doctors at UCLA ... they have all of the tried & true techniques . I try to stay away from surgery as it usually doesn't help & leaves me more longer-term issues.