Had a blown l5 for about 8 months. They gave me gabapentin did not take it . Tramadol was the only thing that work and I tried it all . Aleve arthritis would help but not kill the pain but helped . I was to the point I could not walk anymore. Had surgery all good now .

To heck with work and everything else. You have to take care of your back if you don't it will only get worse. It killed me when mine droped me like a head shot deer and I screamed out involuntary from the pain also when trying to get up off the couch or out of bed and I couldn't even with help. I was bad enough it took help to roll on my side ans that would cause excruciating pain, had to have my wife bring and hold a container for me to pee in.

Backs are nothing to mess around with or put off trying to be tough. Mine had gone out bad 3 times and it's one of the most painful and worse things I have ever experienced. Being completely helpless and useless is not a good feeling.

Take care of your health it's the most important thing you have.

What helped mor than pt was stretching it. Sure could not do much but could do a litm more each time and in 3 days I could finally get up and walk around under my own power but with support from my walking sticks.

Quality of life vs. work = quality of life has to be the winner.

I have no experience with any of the meds mentioned, but I have a hard time trusting big pharma to cure anyone.

I think for me work is quality of life. If I stay at it and keep busy, I stay in peak shape and I feel great all the time. If I take more than 3 consecutive days off, the aches and pains and stiffness catch up to me

I hear ya. Keeping moving is huge. The old saying that a body in motion stays in motion is very true.

But, debilitating pain is another thing, entirely. I blew up my right knee six years ago. Changed my career path as there were certain tasks that I could no longer do following my knee reconstruction. Climb utility poles and be certified to rescue became a no-go. Climb in and out of a bucket truck dozens of times a day, not happening. Not able to frame roofs drives me nuts.
Back pain is a whole different critter. Thankfully I haven’t felt that pain in nearly eighteen years. Would have eaten a pound of broken glass if I were convinced it would alleviate the pain when it was on me.

Thanks everyone for their advice about the meds and other things that help/ hurt them. I’m definitely concerned with long term. Had a little breakdown at my moms and cried and then she started crying too.
These people that you work with who you think care about you obviously do not. Nor do they begin to understand what you’re going through. No comments from the peanut gallery other than a response of “okay” from management

Prayers for You Ashley.
Lots of concerned people on here shared good information.

I've been taking gabapentin for at least 15 years for neuropathy. What bad experiences have you heard about?

I had back surgery about 15 years ago , to treat stenosis, in the lower back After surgery I started doing exersises to strengthen My back and body. I bought 2 books , written by Dr Haddon Hall, a Canadian , back surgeon, now retired. The books are available on Amazon , new or used. They are, The Back Doctor and the New Back Doctor. . Dr Hall stresses exercise and strength exersises to treat back pain .Surgery was a last resort in most cases. I know , the information I got from his books were well worth it. , a lot of pictures and explainations as well. Good luck Old243

I will look into this!

Go see a good chiropractor