"from one who judged harshly people taking this kind of medication i now find myself taking it for the last 3 years. it does not eliminate the pain however it does take it from a 9 to a more tolerable 3 or 4. i am and have been very concerned in regards to addiction and will periodically take myself off for 3 or 4 days, of course the pain is terrible but i need to know i can go without taking it just in extreme pain and can&#039;t ambulate without it. i call it my mini test. "