Hi Twinkletoes,

your name is the same name we gave to our daughters toothfairy (had to come up with a separate name for their 4 fairies !!) I will definitely keep you posted, I am trying to find as much as I can on this stuff becuase sometimes I feel doctors just give you their options not all options! and as they keep recommending surgeons for these opinions it stands to reason surgery is the option you get! and they really don't like to be questioned do they!
will keep you posted on the choices, but at the moment it is looking like a foraminotomy (which I think almost always leads to fusion at the same time becuase of the bone they have to cut away!) but I am prob going to refuse ADR, lets face it, discs wear away anyway and once they dry up, provided they are not 'slipped' at that point they generally don't cause probs!!

thanks for the welcome! talk to you soon

Michelle

I am so sorry for your back troubles. I have also had some over the years. It is really hard to take care of young children when you are in such pain. I have had two surgeries over the years. The last was a fusion. Both surgeries were successful for me, but I waited until I just couldn't take the pain anymore. I am thankful that both worked.

I hope you can get another opinion and come up with the best plan for you. In the meantime, I'm glad your have come to NT. There are many folks here who are caring and helpful. I wish you the best. Let us know how you are doing what your plans will be for your poor back.