You will be back at it soon.
Just remember, every ache and pain has a story, I know that I feel em and have had people tell which I replied, Hell No, I earned these and I would rather snap, crackle and pop and smile as I think back, instead of thinking , I have done some fun, cool and crazy stuff. But these days, like others here, my Brain says only to have my body say and punishes you for it, I'm still feeling the punishment for replacing my over the stove microwave a few weeks back and loading multiple 944/968 engines, transmissions, suspension and brakes bits Last week.

Recent studies have shown that Tylenol, the majority of the ingredients in Norcos and many other pain meds, is an effective pain relief. IDK what effect tylenol has on the urinating problem but there's Flowmax for that. Prescription only but some online docs will write it. Supposedly there is a version that is OTC.

You might ask the local drug store.

Thanks Zeke. I have been avoiding the stronger drugs for BPH because of their side affects. Tuesday the urologist said I really should be taking finasteride, side affects and all. One side affect is that it grows hair - it was actually developed as a hair loss drug. It takes 6 months before a change can be expected, so may as well get started.

Use of the drugs that irritate your prostate isn’t a binary choice. There is likely some amount of each drug that you can take without pissing off your prostate. You can start at a low level and titrate up to find your tolerance level. It would be good to know that before your back acts up.
But make sure you have an enlarged prostate before you even worry about it. You’ll need a PSA test plus the manual exam where the nice lady asks you to lean over a warm, padded table, and pats your ballsack commenting on what a stud you must be, before she slips a long, slim finger into your rectum and gently massages your prostate to assess its condition.
Frequent urinating by itself isn’t necessarily a sign of BPH. People naturally have to pee more often as they get older. Frequent urination is an early sign you have entered the checkout lane.

With all due respect and understanding from 10,000 ft. (another faux place to go while in pain btw)
Pain is actually a perverse blessing in that you are still alive and conscious enough to see and feel another sunrise.

Pinch the soft flesh on the underside of your upper arm.
Try not to react.
imagine a loved one on life support and not seeing any reaction whatsoever to that pinch...

Take heart my friend. A good friend had reconstructive back surgery on September 6. My wife went across the country to be with her for the first week. That week was the worst. For a few days she was regretting going through it. Like you, she thought she might not need the meds and was shocked at the level of pain. By the end of first week, she was walking close to 3 miles daily.
The message is clear. Take your meds, follow the Doctor's instructions to the letter and set reasonable goals for yourself.

Best
Les

Ha! That reminds me of the Mike Tyson quote, “Everybody has a plan until somebody punches them in the face.”

“Everybody has a philosophy of the meaning of pain until they slam their fingers in a car door.”

I know what you mean, and thank you. I do try to be zen with it all.