recovery from back surgery

[highdesertguy]

hello everyone, I have been in this forum before and received very helpfull information. I have a new question,on sept 30 I had back surgery . 3 LEVEL laminectomy- L3-L4-L5, I did very good for about 35 days after surgery,then one day I couldnt get out of my car.
this pain, or cramps down my leg had me screaming,was taken to emergency room ,they took a cat-scan of my back, after reading the report my doctor tells me that my back is worn out,(I knew that)
and that the pain I feel is considered normal for anyone who underwent this type of surgery,,Iam on pain killers, vicodeine, soma,
relafen,. I must take this medications in order to move around the house,,,my question... is this part of recovery? this pain? and how long will it last,will it ever go away? I refuse to believe that I must rely on narcotics for the rest of my life....I gota FEELING that the doctor is not telling me everything....Iam in CALIFORNIA and this is the doctor my attorney sent me to.... thanks and God bless all of you