When I had my surgeries, it was PRE -internet. I didn't have any way to REALLY research anything. I didn't have any way to talk to a bunch of people who had gone thru the same thing. So what did I do? I opted for surgery.

And what happened? It was a disastrous failure. I had twice as much pain afterwards as I had before.

Then, as usual, the "domino effect" came into being and the level above failed terribly, and there was nerve impingement and I HAD to have surgery. So I did, and once again, it was a total failure.

More pain than before. At my 6 wk. checkup my doc did another MRI and all of a sudden he couldn't have treated me better whereas before he'd been a jerk. I wonder if he left the scalpel in me?

Now I'm disabled.

All I'm saying is if I'd been able to research like you can now -- I would have NEVER EVER have had the first surgery!!! EVER. I would have educated myself, and opted for therapy. Then I would have been able to continue working and be a worthwhile member of society! Now, I just feel like a slug. ACK.