Wow, @pfbacon. I've certainly thought about this many times over the years. One thing that has helped me decide this is deciding what is important to me: Living as high a quality of life that I can and the 2nd is living it as pain-free and as comfortable as I can.

A few years back I had to go back on anti-depressant medications. I told my husband that I had no intention of ever being off of them again. I had not seen him that happy in ages! lol.

I think that it's the same thing as you. How do you want to live the rest of your life? What's better for you, being a bit high with less pain or not being able to do much because you have so much pain. Can you do this for decades? Maybe not, but if it's working for you and you are living a life that you want then by all means do what you want.

I also think that if you need certain medications and your doctors are reluctant to give them to you, you need to ask why? I have lung cancer and my doctors are very careful with what they prescribe for treatment because they might need the "bigger guns" later on.

My husband is older than you but he's had arthritis for years. Up until last year, he refused any medications (yes he's one of those!) He has used exercise (one of the best things for arthritis), salves, and heat. I think that your fears are realistic about the effects of stronger drugs. If down the road, you need stronger meds, then you will need to be very careful.

I'm wondering if you are asking about life expectancy you are asking how long will you live, or how long will you live a meaningful life?