I turned down any surgeries until the pain was so bad all I did is cry and couldn;t function. I realized I was not going to get better without it. I had the surgery on March 16 and I did the right thing. I feel so much better.
Good luck on your decision.

I also need a fusion now after back surgery nearly 3 years ago. My pain is getting worse and the doctor said I wont get any better without it. I know how you are feeling Brenda. I am also scared and trying to put it off for as long as I can. I think if you can live with it as long as possible with medication then go for it. If it is really getting you down and your quality of life is not good anymore then maybe surgery is the best. Its better to get these things done before we get too old. I had managed to put off surgery for 10 years and then a car accident made things worse and I had no alternative. I just wish they had done the fusion first time around. Good luck with your decision.

I had my fusion in 2003. It was the best thing I ever did. In the area where I had it done, i've been pain free ever since. I had an artificial disc replacment surgery in 2008 (in a different area), instead of another fusion. That was a disaster and i've lived in horrible pain since. I wish i had another fusion done instead of the artificial disc surgery.

i am new to this group, i had the surgery in 2004 the bone graff took and everything went fine, i had a year recovery. I am still in chronic pain sciatica is worse then ever, i do have other things wrong with my back, but i hoped for a better outcome even had alll the hardware removed in 2006 cause my ortho thaught that may help, i refuse to have any more surgeries cause the pain did not improve for me. i held out for 17 years before agreeing to the surgery, i could not bear the pain. I am to the point where i can barely walk can not do household chores like sweeping and laundry every little thing i do is a chore i even have a shower chair cause i can't stand and shower. i am 38 yrs old and feel like i am in my 80's. the surgery does help some people but you need to know there in no guarnatee that the pain with subside. i wish you the best and will pray for you which ever way you decide to go. koilover

I had a fusion done Oct 27 and its fixed what was hurting but it also created new pains in My lower back. Now My back gets worse when sitting or standing for awhile and getting up, really challenging sometimes, lemme tell ya. I had the sitting/standing problem before the surgery, But now its worse in a different way, if that makes any sense.

I had fusion in January 2007. It corrected some of the pain but also made other pain worse. I am going back next month for another fusion in hopes it will make things better. They are also going to remove the hardware from the first surgery, I can't wait.

I just had disc replacement with fusion at c6-c7 and it has been a dream. Pain free from pinched nerve, now just have to deal with the general stiffness, soreness of other back problems that are long term and with age.

I've heard extremely positive results when dealing with the cervical spine and about 50/50 results with the lumber portion. I woke up and felt almost immediate relief and was walking that afternoon (47 y/o).

Hope this helps some, I know it is a hard decision. Good luck.

Well....
So far I've had 4 spinal surgeries and I am not better today than I was back in 06 when all of this started. Not everyone is the same though, some people have great results with their fusion, so don't take my experience as Gospell. My fusion was a 3 level/360, usually fusions or 1 or 2 levels are more succesful than those that are multi-level (3 or more) like me. You can Google "Spinal fusion success rate" and you will find lots of information on studies and stuff that tells you about the success of the different surgeries.
Having surgery is a very personal decision and I wish you lots of luck. Make sure to get at least 2 opinions, do not jump and have surgery with the first Doctor that you see, and also try to find out the surgeon's success rate.

Good luck to you,

T