My ex has a 5 yr restraining order against me, but he contacts me daily. Can I get it dropped?

My ex of 4 yrs and I had a rough relationship. He is an alcoholic, addict and uses cocaine occasionally. He has aulted me several times, but I always dropped charges. When I told him I wanted to leave him because I found him looking at on my computer (just one of those last straws....) I told him I was afraid of him and that I was going to get a R.O. against him. Well he went to the courthouse immediately and said I threatened to kill him! They issued him a r.o aginst me! I hired a lawyer and we went to court. I had police reports and pictures showing the physical abuse I had recieved from him. I had sent his employer an email about what he had done because he was threatening to take me off the insurance and I had an important surgery coming up, among other things. When the judge found this out, she granted him a permanent ro against me for 5 yrs! Both my lawyer and I were speechless! I had proof of a hospital visit that resulted from injuries he gave me!! He has previous arrests, I have never been arrested! So, story is he still contacts me every day, texts me and we have seen each other several times since the ro has been in place. He keeps telling me if I do what he wants he will drop it, but then he doesn't..... He has asked me to be his slave for a place to stay and has offered me money for which I have proof of via text. Is there anything I can do to him, or can I do something to get this dropped? Cn I get in trouble for talking/seeing him with this ro in place, even though he is violating it as well? I live in California, so please be aware of the laws here when you answer my question. I have fired my lawyer, as I didnt feel he was helping me at all. I am a student and can not afford to hire another lawyer.