I practice "field medicine", the stuff to keep you alive until I can pawn you off to someone else at a hospital, so, 'long term' skills aren't my area of expertise. However, one thing we stress to people is to do like you're trying to do. Take pain meds on a schedule. Don't necessarily take "as needed". Pills don't offer immediate relief.

Enjoy the daze and stay doped up until your body tells you its better (it will let you know)