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Having pain in your lower back on a consistent basis for over six months is enough to make a sane person go crazy. Having been in that exact predicament I had reached the end of my rope. I had seen every doctor and specialist that you can name and had more pictures of my back, neck and even my brain than a person should have. They all came back with the same answer, a degenerative disk that wasn't severe enough for surgery. They continued to treat the pain and hoped for a resolution to appear like a genie out of a bottle. My family doctor turned out to be that genie.

Having the confidence in my family doctor that I do, I tell him everything about my health so he knew ahead of time my fear of becoming addicted to pain killers. Yet, he also knew that at that point I had been receiving more steroid injections than I should and that none of the specialists had a diagnosis or treatment that seemed right. He steadfastly believed I had pulled my back muscles along with having a slightly degenerative disk.

We tried several medications and combinations of medicines. Some anti-depressants have success with pain management, but not for me. We also tried some medications that are for neuropathic pain with very little success. The biggest challenge was to find something that would work yet still allow me to function during the day while I worked.

He decided to try me on a low-dose of the narcotic pain killer hydrocodone, better known as Lortab, and a small dose of Valium at night. He also prescribed a high dose ibuprofen for daytime use. My instructions were to take the Lortab when I arrived home in the afternoon from work and then one more at bedtime along with the valium. His hope was that the nighttime dose of Lortab would ease the pain and that the valium would act as a muscle relaxant that carried over to the next day.

Becoming addicted was my biggest fear and yet I was so tired of the pain that I was ready to try anything. I noticed within the first few days that I was sleeping better and not waking up in pain as I had been. Now, almost two years later, I am still on the same regiment with minor modifications. I only take the medications if I have been in pain for more than two days and I seldom take the valium.

I still don't have an answer to why I have back pain. Sciatica has become my favorite word- it seems to be the only one that applies to my backaches. I have also learned that you can take pain medication and not become an addict. Not that everyone can do that, I do believe that there are personalities with a predisposition to addiction; I have family members who have to be careful what they are prescribed. However, I also believe if you are aware of the possibility and keep you doctor informed of your health, both emotionally and physically you can conquer pain without having to conquer addiction.

Learn more about this author, Sharon Chapman.
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