Hello KyMarie
I think I'm as new at this as you are and I try to take as little pain meds as possible. Stopping whatever and resting is the best option. I listen to music, especially with an earbud, find someone to "entertain" me which distracts me, do a puzzle which takes a great deal of focus, anything to distract me. But I do use them as they make my brain mushy when the pain is unbearable, like someone peeling my skin off of my feet. My doc says he doesn't care if it helps the pain, or my perception of the pain, it helps. Learning the limits between what is enough and what is too much is the key. And sometimes for me it doesn't matter, it is gonna flare up.
And Kathy D is right. You have to figure out what is right and what is best and what works for you. I think a muscle relaxer is more helpful than a pain pill.
Keep on trying to find what is best.