So earlier in the month I was approved for SSI due to a spinal injury that was diagnosed in 2005. I have slipped discs in the L4-5 and the L5-S1, and some nerve damage to boot. I recall words like "obliterated" and "emergency" being thrown around after the diagnosis, and the doctor wanted to do immediate surgery.

Until he found out I was uninsured. At that point, it was a "Don't let the door hit you in the butt" attitude, and the injury has remained untreated. I'm sure my spine must be in a really bad way now, although when I was approved for SSI they didn't run another MRI, so I can't be sure about the extent of what's gone on back there in the last six years.

I know there are days when I can't move for the pain. I just lay on my side and cry. Those days are the worst.

But now that I'm on SSI and Medicaid, I'm planning on seeing a doctor and trying to get on a pain management program. I need to get my weight under control -- it spiraled as a result of inability to take cardio exercise and self-destructive bouts of depression -- and I'm hoping that will go a long way in naturally alleviating the pain.

The thing I've gone back and forth on is exploring the possibility of back surgery. For along time I was determined that I would have it done immediately if I were able, but, well, I'm not sure it's the best solution. The doctor who examined me for the SSA outright advised against it, saying it could make things potentially much worse.

And I'd say he's right: my mother has Degenerative Disc Disease and has had a number of surgeries as a result. None of them have helped. One of them made things worse. My ex girlfriend's mother has also suffered permanent injury due to back surgery for slipped discs. And like I said, I've even got doctors and nurses advising me to avoid surgery.

I'm looking for outside opinions on the matter. If pain management and weight loss is enough to make life tolerable, then I'd be more than happy to stick with that. I'm not sure I want to risk further injury.