Can anyone answer a question for me? First time posting on this site. I had a lumbar laminectomy for a herniated disc at L5 S1 in August of 06. I am currently taking vicodin, relafen, and neurontin for pain although, in all honesty, I don't know how much the neurontin is helping. My question is how long will I have this pain for? My doctor said I could have pain for up to a year. I tried not taking the vico and sometimes I can get by for a couple of days and then BAM,,.the pain returns. I don't know if it's the weather or what. But it is extremely...painful LOL. It feels like a deep achy pain in my lower back that radiates out into my right hip. Would it benefit me to maybe switch to Tylenol with codeine or maybe even just Tylenol? Also, has anyone with back problems tried acupuncture and did it help? How about any other alternative therapies?