Sorry to hear you are in so much pain! I know what you mean about not remembering it in your mind and the full realization when you feel it again. I've had back problems from a car accident too and now and then it flares up... a couple times I couldn't walk. You really appreciate the lack of pain when it gets better though..
When I had my first child, I know it hurt, remember that it did but only the memory, not rememberance of the pain itself. When I went into labor with my second son, I remember what it felt like.. suddenly I didn't want to do this again..
too late of course...