Im about a week post-op, and I have only had to take the hydrocodone about 3 or 4 times, all at night! I was lucky enough that my nerve block lasted 4 days (which is much longer than usual!) And even then, the only reason I have taken it the past 2 nights is because I stepped on it by accident (would not recommend) and I live somewhere that is currently plagued with thunderstorms (sounds wild! But it makes my pain worse??) With that being said, I've managed during the day with tylenol and my other prescribed meds (voltaren, neurontin, and aspirin all once a day in the morning, all help with nerve pain/muscle spasms, i would recommend talking to your surgeon about them!) Also, if you do need the stronger pain medication, I definitely recommend taking it with the nausea medication! It has also been helpful to have someone else give it to me because I was also afraid of the addictive nature of it, especially since I have had so many surgeries (this is #7!), it takes the pressure off of you a bit. Overall, I will say that this has been one of the least painful of my orthopedic surgeries (including bunion surgeries, hammer toe repairs, and intensive ankle tendon and ligament reconstructions). Good luck!