Ed, you're not rambling at all! So sorry for your plight, but what you refer to as rambling is interesting and may indeed help us.

That you run at all is amazing to me, along with taking no pain meds. You're a strong soul aren't you?

My daily 4 mile/hour walking is the hardest thing I've found to give up. Take a pain pill, grit my teeth and do it anyway, although not as far anymore or quite as fast - some days not fast at all. Fusion has been mentioned by 2 of the 3 dr.'s I've seen but we are waiting on the CT for certainty. Don't have a dr. to do surgery yet due to $$, but I will eventually just out of dogged determination and the Grace of God. Nerve compression seems to be my biggest pain factor.

I understand completely your fear, indecision - and love of motion (running)!

I just wanted to tell you what I did with my first neuro surgeon, I told him I didn't have insurance or money and actually asked him to do the surgery and give me a discount. He did that for me, and cut my expenses by 2/3rds. The hospital didn't charge anything through this program. The one who put me to sleep I wrote a letter to also, and asked for mercy, He didn't charge at all. I think sometimes you have to ask for help, and confront the doctor and just lay it out for him kindly. Many doctors are willing to reduce their charges. I also have no doctor who accepts medicaid. They drop the 20% I would owe.
My pain specialist gave me two katemine infussion for nothing before I had medicare and was waiting for coverage. There are good souls in the medical profession. Asking the doctors is a good way to find out what kind of physicians they are on the inside. ginnie

Oh Ginnie, what good ideas. The PS I see is one of those good souls you mention. I now have another appt. w/him to talk about the meds & what's going on as far as a neuro search. It never occurred to me to write letters. I guess I've never considered that anyone would be that...generous, for lack of a better word, after all they have student loans to pay and hard work that they spent many years to obtain the knowledge they have now in order practice their profession. I really do understand why neuros want to get paid big bucks, but dire circumstance and pain can lead to creative and humble ways to ask for assistance. Your post is extremely helpful!

ED, SO NOT MEANING TO STEAL YOUR THREAD!!

No Problem. I enjoy all information here and find it helpful.

Thank you!
Echoing Ger's question, have you had more than 1 opinion of your options?

Yes I have been to 3 different neuro surgeons now and each have told me the same.

It is good that you did go ahead and get all those opinions. If all agree, you probably really do need the surgery. I wish you all the best. ginnie

I mentioned previously about fusion L4-5, laminectomy as well. The doctor that perfomed my surgery was an orthopaedic doctory specializing with problems of the spine.

Just wondering if you have given any thought about seeing an orthopaedic doctor specializing in problelms with the spine?

(Ger)

Ed,

You're not rambling. The doubts/uncertainty, the questions, the sharing of experiences and information, the moral support, a sounding board... These are what a support group is about. Before the internet, if people didn't live someplace big enough to have a face to face support group, they were pretty much SOL...

I found some more great (IMO) stuff for you, and everybody else considering surgery.
Google: questions to ask before back surgery

Doc

Thank you all for your input. I'm still on the fence on weather or not to go ahead with the surgery. I talked with one of our employees that had a 2 level fusion done at the end of November. He is doing great and wishes he would have done the surgery 10 years ago. He said as soon as he came to in the hospital the pain he had before was gone. He is now driving himself and doing alot of walking. He is a carpenter that we employ and plans to return to normal work that he did before which includes hanging drywall.
I am suprised by the difference in his back brace he wears as opposed to what they have given me. His brace is very wide and comes upto his chest where as mine is alot smaller much like what I already wear when I run.
Also he has a bone stimulator that he uses and he is going to physical therapy. My doctor said my physical therapy would simply be me walking each day.
Again thank you all and I will update you on what I decide and if I do go thru I will try do give updates how things are going.