Hi Mary,I could not do any kind of exercise without having the pain intensify.Until,I started going to pain management.With being on the pain medication I have been able to walk and swim.THe P M Dr. wants me to walk 1 mile 2 times a day,right now I am walking 1 1/2 miles in the morning and about 2 miles in the evening every day.He also wants me to do 5-6 laps of breast stroke 4-5 times a week and I am doing 10 laps 4-5 times a week .On the weekend my husband and I have been taking a 3 mile walk,Yesterday we made a 4 mile walk it took us about 1 hour and 15 minutes.We were very happy with this.We have been walking together now for 5 weeks.But before the pain medication that I am takong now I could not walk up the stairs without the pain intensifying.I am on Methadone, Klonopin and Arthrotec.Although I am happy that the meds are working I am hopingthat I do not have to be on these meds the rest of my life.I will be 40 this month. "FRIENDS THAT STICK TOGETHER" PEGGY