Hi Jay and welcome to KA. I'm sure others who have experienced something similar to you will have better advice than me. I have RA, not AS, and haven't experienced quite what you are describing.
However, when my RA pain was at its most severe so I could barely function, I began using fentanyl patches which delivered the narcotic pain meds through my skin, thus avoiding stomach issues. I adjusted very well to these patches and was able to go to work, drive and function acceptably well. The pain was never gone but was much diminished. The other good thing about the patches was the constant delivery - no ups and downs as oral pain meds wear off.
I'm off the patches now because I'm using methotrexate and prednisone so I'm just using percocet (oxycode and aceteminophen) for occasional more severe pain. I'm also taking celebrex plus rabeprazole to protect my stomach.
Hope things improve for you soon.
