Pixified,

What are your symptoms exactly? I'm guessing that your symptoms must be reaching a point where things are becoming difficult if you are electing to have the surgery later this summer.

For me, the average day has my symptoms at a reasonable level. I'd say the average pain level is between 1 and 3. That said, I'll have a flare up to 5 here and there. To me the bigger question is not what my symptoms are now, but what will they be in 3, 6, 9, 12 months? Am I putting off the inevitable? And in the meantime, will things just deteriorate while I deal with this annoying way of life? Even emotionally, it will be difficult having this thing hanging over my head.

And as for PT, well, I didn't think this was even an option for ATOS. Maybe for NTOS. I've done a lot of PT over the last 18 months. Unless somebody tells me there is a high degree of potential for success, I'm loathe to waste any more time.

It's going to be very interesting to hear what Dr Donaghue has to say. I really hope there isn't a grey area here. Hoping it's black or white...you either need this surgery relatively soon, or you don't...for a long while.

KY