@standingbear I am a Vet.. a long time ago.. I go to a VA in Des Moines, IA for my hearing aids. Are you being treated at a VA, and where? What kind of specialists have you seen? Were any surgical solutions offered? What was the diagnosis of your injury? We on Mayo Clinic Connect are not Medically trained; most can only tell you of our similar diagnosis or treatments. I had a spinal injury 25 years ago and had a fusion of the 3 lowest (S1, L5, L4) vertebrae...I lost an inch or so in height.. and I have had no problems since that 8 hour surgery.. I was never on a pain killer drug of any kind for more than a month or so around the surgery time.. I would try to go get another opinion of what will help you on a more permanent basis? How old are you.. I am 83, an ex-Marine.. and no you cannot go off those types of Pain killers cold Turkey... Ken