Rake,

I went down a similar path. 10 years of pain, L5-S1 herniation and finally rupture. Couldn't take it anymore and went for a micro-discectomy and partial lamenectomy (sp?). Temporary success and then another 4 years of pain. Tried every sport & therapy known to man. Then a year ago a friend talked me into cycling. Absurd I thought but he was relentless. I've now been riding for a year, 50+ miles per week (not a lot but lots of hills) and I am virtually pain free. from the first ride it just worked. Illogical to be bent over on a bike but it worked. Not that it will work for you but point is to keep trying and hopefully you will find something that will work. AS to surgery, my surgeon told me simpley this; we are like cardboard and once cardboard has been bent it is never the same. So I'm not as big on getting cut as others. And btw, I went to 4 different surgeons and all told me I needed to be fused. Go figure but I rode 15 miles this morning and will probably go another 10 this evening......