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I understand where you're coming from. I screwed up my knee very badly in a soccer game last year, and the doctors said I could have surgery to ease the pain right away, or tough it out for a few months to let it heal on its own. With surgery, the knee would never get back to 100%. So I lived with the pain for several months, and was going through jars of ibuprofen so I wouldn't have to go on heavy narcotics. It was no fun.

To Rush: Best wishes for your complete and speedy rehabilitation. We're all pulling for you here.

Yep, I only take Naproxin Sodium (Alleve) only when I REALLY am in pain. I was told that surgery would probably not help me, but I had to stop playing lacrosse, which was more painful than my back.

I was hospitalized a year ago with an infection that abcessed. It was a very large abcess involving a sensitive area. The first thing the docs offered me was morphine. I laughed. I told them that for 3 weeks, I managed the pain with aspirin and I wouldn't need anything stronger.

The next day after surgery (34 one inch incisions into and around that sensitive area with drains installed for irrigation) I awoke and my whole body felt like it had been rubbed raw with a wire brush. I asked for the morphine then. The next day, during the first post surgical exam by the doctor, he ordered another shot (not morphine again, but I can't remember the drug), and the next day it was Darvocet. That was it. I wouldn't take anything else even though I was in for another week.

I didn't really feel the need for anything stronger, but was also very mindful of the possibility of getting hooked.

I too wish Rush the best. I'm sure he'll come through this and be better than ever.