That's pretty much what happened to me after YEARS of getting epidural injections for herniated and bulging discs. Sometimes worked but never completely. A new doctor came to the pain clinic, my old doc left, so I had to see the new guy, and he told me that he wanted to try something different....which is how I ended up finally with the SI joint answer.

As he explained it, it wasn't until recently that doctors were figuring out the SI joint connection and assumed the pain was all because of the spine problems. I've had bilateral SI injections every year since then...painful as they are. And they've always helped.

I've been in too many car accidents and suffered physical abuse at the hands (and boot-clad feet) of an ex-husband and he used to kick me in my lower back when he'd get me on the floor curled in a ball trying to protect myself. I have a feeling my degeneration started way back then...add several car accidents to that and voila. Joint dysfunction.

I'm glad I saw this thread because I didn't even know about the surgery option.

The SI pain is bad, but I have worse sacrum and tailbone pain. Have broken my tailbone a couple of times and fallen on it also too many times to count.

Very good thread, lots of information.

Thanks folks!