Dilaudid was the only thing that worked for me after disk surgery.
4 years later, I still hurt, over the counter stuff does not help.
I have just learned to live with the pain.
May I ask what kind of disc surgery you had?
My lower back is shot.
After a couple of hours in the field or bending over repeatedly it is screaming at me. I have to head back to the cabin, use heat and/or cold compresses, and pop two Kratom capsules.
Without that, I'd have to be on opioids which no-one will prescribe or be non-functional.
The FDA and DEA made a run at Kratom to make it illegal but got stopped. Available in most, but not all states, and on-line.
I've had three knee replacements, neck surgery, etc. and hate how I feel on percocet, etc. I try to use opioids only for rehab.
Rather than being drugged out and impaired, the best I can explain it, Kratom just takes the edge off. At low doses you get relief and your mind is clear. Doesn't make you sleepy unless you are mixing it or taking too much.
I wish I didn't need anything, including aspirin, but at 70 years old with a left hip that has to be replaced this year, and both shoulders also shot needing surgery that I am avoiding, what are you going to do.
Like you, I live with pain, sleeping is the worst, but when I get off the couch, ( I can't sleep in a bed) at 4:00 am, (when I am lucky) and take some Kratom, laying flat in the easy chair, for the next hour or so, I am in no pain, with my mind clear to write crap like this,
Regards.