Hi @sandysurf. Perhaps you've never been properly taught how to deal with pain. I too once thought my legal opiod prescription took the edge off (literally my words also) and I could not imagine any other way to cope and live with pain.

I graduated Mayo Pain Rehab last year and my classmates ranged from 18 to 74. Age is not a factor. I understand your angle because my 71 year old mother thinks she's too old and says it's just the way it is. I'm here to tell you...that's not true for everyone. Mayo PRC works a safe supportive plan to ease people off opiates and provides training and guidance to help them succeed going forward.

I can talk until I'm blue in the face to help someone want to learn a better, more healthy positive path forward, but it has to come from inside. A person must want change.

I'm here for you @sandysurf. Do you have any specific questions about my pain rehab experience?

PS: I love your handle...sandy surf makes me happy too. 🏝

I'm not sure of the terminology to use, but dealing with pain doesn't just mean "putting up with it" or "toughing it out". Chronic pain is a nervous system overreaction, and you learn strategies to overcome it .
It doesn't mean you will be pain free - after 70 years of living, most of them very active, and with arthritis just about everywhere except my jaw and my ankles, numerous surgeries, as well as other ailments, I realize there will be pain. My goal is to take every possible action to minimize it, including diet, stretching and exercise, rest, PT, massage, meditation...
Within reason, the more I move, the better I do, but a full day of strenuous work is now beyond me and I have learned to (usually) listen when my body says "rest."

When I started this journey, I was amazed at what could be accomplished without NSAIDS or opioids - not everything we tried was helpful, but I found enough tools for a satisfying life.

I encourage you to consider giving it a try.
Sue