Hi Dodge,
Yea i've been riding that train for many years now, I've had 3 back surgeries and am no better at all, the only relief i get is when i'm laying down with no weight bearing down my spine. Every time i get up the pain starts, just walking to the bathroom is very painful. Standing/walking is worse, i'm very limited only able to walk for about 15 minutes before the pain get so intense that i have to sit/lay down.
i have a pain mgmt Dr. that gives me 75mg of oxycodone a day, but it only dulls the pain for very short periods of time. as a result, i have become extremely depressed, and suicide has been in my thoughts often.
This is your thread so i wont go into my issues, but i know very well how you must feel.
((hugs my friend))