Well here's an update a few weeks later... I'm pretty much off of the pain meds. I hate taking the hydrocodones because I tend to get mood swings when they wear off, so I was wanting to take it less and less, and just today I was able to get through (so far) without much pain.
Except, I still have a whole lot of issue sleeping. Since I cut down to 10mg (originally 20mg, then 15mg) of hydrocodone, I haven't been able to sleep through an entire night. I was not able to sleep very well at first, but I wasn't doing any activities so I could sleep in later. Now I have school so I need rest. I haven't really been able to get more than 5 hours of sleep at a time since I have cut back, and the reason seems to be when I lay down, I'm not the most comfortable on my back, so if I turn to my side for a few hours, I will wake up with severe rib pain. I knew right away that my futon mattress (super comfy before surgery) was inadequate, so I got a memory foam mattress from sams's club, and it feels like it's too firm too. I've read that the memory foam on those (blue gel stuff) is about 5lbs, so I may try to get a memory foam topper that is closer to 3lbs.
I went to a sleep number store today to kill time, and I found my sleep number to be 40, so a little on the softer side, and the memory foam mattresses tend to be on the firmer side, so I believe with a softer topper I may be able to solve the issue (and keep the receipts if they don't).
I've also read that people suggest recliners to sleep in, but I really didn't feel like it helped much last night, and with school again tomorrow, I think I'll try my bed again. But the main problem is that most people want a bed to align their spine, and I need a bed to conform to my aligned spine, which if it doesn't, I hurt.
Anyways, follow-up with the doc on Thursday, so I'll be able to ask a few questions then.