I have pretty severe back pain (compressed discs, pinched nerves) and took vicodin 5.0/500's and 7.5/750's (ES). The vicodin mostly made me feel real loopy and good, but I would still hurt pretty bad. The vicodin was prescribed by my general doctor at the time.
I started seeing a pain specialist and went on percocets (7.5/325 first number is the amount of narcotic pain reliever in mg and the second number is the amount of Tylenol in mg). Those made a world of difference for me, one and a half of those would knock the pain out completely for 4+ hours. I now take a low dose oxycontin (same active ingredient as in percocet, but a 12 hour formula and no Tylenol). It helps with the chronic pain, but the Percocets definitely were the best. But, that was just because I was taking more of the oxycodone at a time.
I also tried Morphine, it just made me dizzy and just took the edge off, the oxycodone was definitely the best pain relief for me.
With all that being said, hopefully the hydrocodone (vicodin) can help you out... it has the potential to make you pretty loopy. You better take it at home and see how you react before you try and drive. Oh yea, if you take them for a long time beware the constipation!