need alternative method of staying stable with or without narcotics.

I started having lower back pain at the age of 7,which was moderately painful. Pain comes and goes may last several weeks, and may disappear for a week or so. At age 30 pain started coming back severe. I was prescribed Lortab 5/500 every 4 hours as needed. At this time the Lortab helped. I took these for around 6 months. Afterward backpain still comes and goes. Next 5 yr.I took Lortab 7.5/500 off and on. At age 38 I was lifting something that weighed no more than 50lb., and had a severe sharp back pain that struck me and hurt down the back of my legs. Could not walk without holding on to something. Went to the Dr.and he prescribed Lortab 10 with (Naproxen?)Took this for about 4 months and tried to quit (afraid of addiction). Several weeks passed and pain was still constant but could walk and work some. Pain then became debilitating and constant.I became depressed and could not sleep. Went back to new Dr., prescribed Oxycontin 20mg twice daily. The pills worked fine. Dr. informed me before he could continue giving me the Oxycontin I had to have MRI, and I did. Do not know exact medical terms of MRI, he said L4 an L5 had indentations and not enough cartillage??? At that time he gave me Oxy40 twice daily. I had no pain when taking pills. Took the Oxy 40 for around 5 months then Dr. stopped prescribing and said they were highly addictive. When I quit I went through horrible withdrawals and pain. Went to Methadone clinic. Took 70mg.for 1 yr.Methadone stopped all pain.selfemployed couldnt work with clinic schedule.detoxed off meth.pain still severe 3 months later. advice needed!