"i used this medicine under strict supervision at a pain management center after failed trials with opana and kadian which made me ill. vicodin was not strong enough as i have had open back surgery from my skull to mid back to drain a spinal cord cyst called a &quot;syrinx.&quot; my spine was arthritic and required struts to rebuild it; i now have chronic acute pain just holding up my head (max 5-6 hours at a time). also have chronic low back pain arthritis and herniation with tear. thankfully it relieved my pain and helped me function somewhat normally for 5-6 months. then one month the refill arrived two days late and i went through withdrawal, suffering horribly with dark suicidal ideation and depression. i got off it. now on percocet, not ideal."