Hi ~ I'm sorry your dear Mom is in such pain. I know how it is as I've been in pretty bad shape for 26 years, and I'm now 61.

I've had 2 OPEN surgeries for degenerative discs, herniated discs. One was done in 1987, and the other in 1995. I can tell you that I wish I had NEVER had it done as I'm in worse shape now than I was before. I now have PERMANENT sciatica which is the most painful darn thing ~ it's pain from the hip, all the way down the leg and into the foot. I had a spinal cord stimulator implanted, but alll that did was irritate the nerve even more, so after 6 months of trying it we had to remove it. Now I exist on opiate pain medications, and all they do is take the edge off because doctors have a history of undermedicating pain patients. They're afraid of the DEA.

Your Mother would PROBABLY benefit from the spinal cord stimulator as MOST people have very positive experiences from it. I was just a weird case, and I say that very honestly. I would ask her doctor to refer her to a pain management specialist and see if she's a candidate for one. This would afford her lots of pain relief. It's NOT a serious operation, and most people go home the same day. You have a trial period before the actual implant, so she could see if it would work for her.

I really don't recommend spinal surgery, as most people end up having to have further surgery later on. After spinal surgery, the levels above and below the surgery site end up failing because they've had to carry the load. This happens VERY frequently, and it happenen to me. I now have several bulges, herniations and because of osteoporosis I am now inoperable ~ thus the need for opiates for pain control. I wouldn't let them touch me anyway! LOL Surgery just begets more surgery

I wish you and your dear Mother the very best of luck God bless you and take care. If you have more questions, please contact me. Hugs, Lee