For the benefit of anyone finding this thread in the archives in years to come...I've had the best 2 nights of sleepin a long time! I managed about 2 miles of walking without any noticeable pain. The downside is that my mouth tastes like I've been chewing cardboard all day and I have to lay off of the booze. I'd say that it represents a fair trade-off.
The UK CAA want me to have been off the stuff for 2 weeks and to see an AME before I get my medical revalidated.
MRI scan booked on Monday. Fingers crossed.