mastertater, toky20, mamaw54, and Corrie-and everone else...thank you all so much for your positve replies...I am new the the chronic pain thing and I have accepted it. I guess I thought you could just pop a pill, and everything would be OK. Not true..although we all wish it was....I haven't been on Neurontin long enough, and the MD wrote out a schedule for me to gradually increase the dose, so I will wait and see...Exercise is not an option for me yet, but as I recover, I will see..I still don't walk too much because even too much standing brings on the pain...As far as the depression goes, it's funny...they put me on Paxil while I was still in the hospital, but it really made me sicker in my stomach than I already was...I want to look into 5-HTP...it really peaked my interest..I am very happy to have found this board, to find people willing to share info, and you're right, there really is no such thing as a pain-free day....yet....take care to all..ditto