[Clara Lou]

You are in serious pain. No one who's suffered such pain can really understand it.
To add to what I posted above,my problem was at L-4. My pain reached a certain level and remained there, day in and day out. I couldn't walk in an upright position. The pain was horrific, and the painkillers were as bad, in their own way, as the pain. I couldn't sleep at night or walk or sit-- no position provided relief.

In my case, the choices were to live in chronic, unrelenting pain, or have to surgery. I am very fortunate that surgery was a cure-- I've had not one moment of pain from the time I came out of anesthesia until now. Life is worth living again.

I wish you the best with your situation-- and freedom from pain.

[FReepaholic]

>>...I wish you the best with your situation-- and freedom from pain...<<

Thank you.

[Huck]

Hi Clara Lou. Just ran across this thread. I have L5 herniation. A big chunk is broken off and pressing against my nerve, causing you know what kind of pain. Some days are good, some not. But right now everyday requires meds. I am meeting with my doc tomorrow to discuss skipping the cortisone/pain management step and going right for the surgery. I just dont see the sense in cortisone, which is temporary, when all the signs point to surgery for my case (95% of pain is down the leg, piece is broken off, etc).

Glad to hear it worked for you. I'll see what my doc says tomorrow. How long before you could drive a car after the surgery?