I had a bad back episode when we were on vacation for 3 weeks in Tunisia and Egypt. We went on a one week cruise down the Nile and I barely remember any of it I was in such pain. Fortunately alcohol helped relieve the pain (seriously!). Just stayed pretty much drunk for a week or two. A weeks worth of Prednisone helped some and what I learned from the whole experience is that whenever my back gives me a twinge now I start taking IB and aspirin. Really seems to help.