I just joined the group a little bit ago. Of course, I belong to several groups across the internet by now. (on Facebook and on here) I am not new to back pain at all. I am also on disability by now. I actually left my job, my custodial job, on retirement disability. OK. I was told I could not come back unless the neurosurgeon, the one that did my neck surgery, neck fusion, filled out the paperwork stating that I was able to. That never took place at all. Degenerative disc disease was found, by MRI, in my lower back 3 weeks later. Geez! Oh! I was having more pain than prior to my neck surgery to begin with. I was coming home in so much pain and fatigue to where I would have tears sometimes. Yep. The neurosurgeon actually had me working only 4 hours, as in half shifts, at one point. OK. I even worked 6 hour shifts until I finally went back to 8 hours once again. It had to be approved first of all. I do get a check from the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia, but it is not what I used to make at all. The insurance premium has to be taken out of it as well. I finally got on SSDI by now. They said that I was disabled ever since November 29, 2010, the last day that I ever hit the time clock. OK. That would mean I have got Medicare by now, too. I did have to go in front of an administrative law judge back on November 19th, but I was not sweating it all too much. Many people had stated I should have never been denied to begin with. I always put my cane in the car with me. I have DDD in my neck and back. OK. The neck surgery was successful, but the VA doctor did state there is some DDD in my neck as well. I had been told my neck was not 100%. Also, she did state the X-rays were showing some osteoarthritis, kyphosis, and spinal stenosis. OK. I knew about the spinal stenosis. Also, I had to wear a brace back while I was still a teenager because of kyphosis.(curve in upper back to shoulder area) Oh, yeah! I even got a history of falls by now. The main reason why I was told to stay off work was because I fell more than once. I have had an EMG done twice by now.(no nerve damage in legs) I did spend 4 years in the Navy and happen to be a war veteran as well.(1987-1991) OK. I will let that be all now. Yep.