Originally Posted by DnvrFox

Just came back from an additional (4th) consult regarding my ruptured disc and spondolythesis(sp?).

Right now, I can only take about 4-5 steps without severe referred pain on my right shin/leg, and even then I have to stoop. I am literally crawling up the stairs, and my wife is just about doing everything for me. I didn't sleep more than anhour or two last night because of the pain, wandering from chair to sofa to chair trying to find some position without excruciating pain.

We really liked the persons with whom we talked today, and, dependent upon a couple of more x-rays (testing the mobility or immobility of the L-4; L-5 shift in alignment), will be making some decisions as to more specific type of back surgery, soon to happen. In any event, it will be minimally invasive, with no cutting of muscles, etc. He placed me on some oral cortisone, and I willbe getting a cortisone shot in the nerve root area in the next 3 days as a temporary pain solution, along with some Vicodin.

I have tried EXTENSIVE PT, Chiro, manipulation by the DO, dry needling, TENS units, stretching, inversion table, etc., etc. - none of them truly helped over time. The only thing I can do with no pain is ride for hours on the bicycle, but as yet have not been able to find a way to sleep on the biicycle. The bicycle works because it is a road bike, stretching out the space between the disks as I lean forward. Likely, a cruiser or hybrid (or recumbent) would not work for me.

I can't live like this if there is a fair chance of success. We have searched and evaluated, and this surgeon seems like the best available, consistent with our desires and goals. Their success rate is very good.

Not lookning for advice here. Just sharing - for what it may be worth to someone - one more 70 year old stepping stone in my journey to 100 years old.