I could not take the pain meds on a daily basis no matter what they were due to severe constipation (I already have issues). I used some muscle relaxers occasionally and Tylenol. On really bad days I might take 1 Tylenol 3. I can use Voltaren cream as it's topical and doesn't have the same effects as the oral medication. I do take Gabapentin and took it before my TKR and was taking 900mg. Yes, you do have to wean off it and I had weaned off it totally prior to my TKR but because of nerve pain I went back on 300mg. We're all different so reactions will be different but you do have to wean down. I took one month when I completely weaned off it. If you don't do it slowly you can have issues....I was told that 900mg is not much and 300mg isn't hardly any at all,. There are some people who take 1800 or 2400 daily. I also took mine only at bedtime.