LR
Very sorry to hear of your woes. I am a fellow sufferer of chronic low back pain, with a history of multiple failed back surgery trying to cure disc lesions. From my experience as a patient, I would advise you to get the problem located with diagnostic imaging. Disc tissue does not show up well on conventional x-rays, so you will probably need MRI scans with contrast medium injected. I guess you already have all this in place, if the doctor is treating you with epidurals. If the problem can be fixed by surgery, go to a NEUROSURGEON - not an orthopaedic surgeon.
My last round of surgery seems to have been successful, but I am left with the legacy of long term skeletal trouble, with uneven wear on hips, knees, and signs of osteoarthritis. Ooh the joys of getting older...
You have had the trouble for 15 years, so it's not going away on its own. The surgery is not without risk. You know what your quality of life is at the moment - so you can make an informed decision.
MODS - are we in the correct forum?
Last edited by CISTRS; 3rd Apr 2015 at 03:19.
Reason: Maybe in wrong forum.