Candlegirl, I do understand your concerns. I did do the injections, Physical Therapy, etc. the year before doing surgery. Had a friend who had a very successful fusion and couldn't get an appointment with his doctor for almost two months. Unfortunately, my pain had gotten out of sight. (I did do a fall just prior to the pain worsening; didn't think much about it at the time; but looking back, that's when the pain started becoming unbearable.) My daughter had an epidural; but was told if the first didn't help; most likely more would not be of any help. Have you ever tried an epidural? Or did you doctor just tell you this would not work for you. Do you have an exact diagnosis for you problem that makes him feel injections would not work? Have you gotten a 2nd opinion? This probably makes matters worse; but surgeries can always be posponed, if need to get another opinion. The surgery option will still be there.
(ger)