Hi there...by Hydro, do you mean Hydrocodone?  And, if I'm not mistaken, isn't that Vicodin?  There's a lot more pain medications out there for you.  I will tell you, however, that most doctors, with the exception of pain management doctors, won't prescribe anything stronger until after surgery.  I think there's a big fear for most doctors that the feds will start giving them trouble.  I live in Fresno, CA, and there was an article in our paper about a year ago regarding this subject.  I take Kadian and OxyContin, and I've taken it for years now, due to chronic pain.  I've had 2 back surgeries, one of which failed, so I live with some pretty awful pain all the time.  The problem with stronger meds is that they are physically addictive and not much fun coming off of, so that may be another reason for your doctors apprehension to give you stronger drugs.  Be honest with your doctor and don't be afraid to ask some tough questions regarding the pain meds.  It's your life and everyone deserves to have some quality in it, without suffering from terrible back pain.  Hope this helps you some...let me know how it goes.  And remember, you're the one who has to live in your shoes, not your doctor!  Kiona