This seems like the burning question for lots.

How do I come up with the right answer for me??

After 8 years of CP meds and limping, hoping, deep breathing, therapy,and having severe pain most days I am asking myself again, is it time? Pain meds are no longer working much at all. The CP doc said years ago a fusion would be in my future, but now that the surgeon says yes, I am getting conflicting responses from everyone.

The best one is dont let them touch you till you cant walk anymore. I am 34 and would rather not get to that point if at all possible. I have children ages 10 and 12, step sons 19 and 22, a grandson and another on the way. I would like to keep up with everyone, something I havent been able to do for years. I understand nothing is a guarentee and that it is not a short process, but I am looking for my best chances to live semi pain free with no constant tingles and throbbing on my legs, butt and groin area. My poor middle toe always feels like it is frostbit. I need to laugh, because if I dont I will cry.

My MRI isnt completely devistating, I have disc desiccation at T11-12, T12-L1, L1-L2 and L5-S1, the last is the worst while the others are at about 30% remaining according to the doc. The top areas also say moderate diffuse disc bulge with moderate neuroforaminal narrowing, the bottom says superimposed protrusion and complete annual tear, moderate neuroforaminal narrowing. Impression is multilevel degenerative changes, disc bulge, disc protrusion and foraminal narrowing. He is calling all of the remaining pain, Discogenic Back Pain. Hey, L2-L4 are normal, Yeah!

The surgeon has said that because of my weight (230) I am not a candidate for artificial discs, I need to look into this more. He also said I am not a candidate for surgery from the front, he put it so nicely, due to how I wear my weight, so he would need to go from the back. I tried to explain that I have gained nearly 50 pounds in the past 2 years because my activity is limited so much. I no longer can do steps or the treadmill, thats what was keeping some of the weight off before. Right now I basically get up, shower drive to work, come home and go right to bed, since I cant stand any longer. My DH does the cooking, the laundry, puts the kids to bed, cares for the animals, yard work, even helps me get dressed when I have having a really hard time. Yes, I am very lucky to have him.

I guess I dont need any responses, It feels better to vent a bit. I know its a personal choice of how much pain you are able to take, and what risks you are willing to take with surgery. Its just so darn frustrating.

Thanks for listening.

As you mentioned, it is a deeply personal decision.

Risk of death would be a deciding factor that I'd weigh heavily - as is cauda equina.

That was the chiro's concern, but the MRI was OK as of now.

I just cant figure out what would be best at this point. I am able to take the time to rehab properly at this point in time, but it seems everyone that comes to me has horror stories about things going wrong. I know though for every bad experience there are many good experiences, just the bad ones speak much louder.

Take Care

If you feel up to it, you may want to check out the links in this thread:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread45284.html

The reason I bring it up is that, when surgery is something you need, it could be helpful to have the info. in-mind (while consulting with surgeons):

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread45284.html

I've a feeling that you'll know when the time is the time for you - based on your symptoms and exams, along with your films, etc.

Quality of life, along with levels of feeling, functioning and pain will assist you in making the decision right for you.