Bill, I had lumbar fusion three months ago. I have been injured and unable to work for over a year and a half so I had no other option. I did the shots and all but they did not work. I cannot say for sure that it was "worth it" yet. I know that I could not go on as I was before, so I had to do this. the pain is unreal but I am told it will subside. Wish I could be of more assistance.

Bill,
It certainly is a gamble if you elect to have back surgery-I think too it depends on what they are suggesting to do. I also had the lumbar fusion as Mike did and that was in March of this year and then it didn't work and I had to have another one just 3 weeks ago. I feel better this time and I am more positive so I'm just praying in 6 months that the doctor can give me good news.
You are the only one that can really make that decision and it is a chance you take-like Mike I had the shots and everything else, but I could not go on and had to do it I wasn't going to live the rest of my life like that since I am only 36 and was very active. My mother has had back pain for quite some time and she said after dealing with me during my recovery she would not have back surgery and just deal with it. I wish I had more positive feedback also, but feel free to email me if you have any questions about lumbar fusion if that is what they are suggesting.
Take care and Happy Holidays!

Surgery was not my 1st. choice, nor the Doctor's. After years of PT, a fair shair of epidurals, that for a long time "worked" and pain killers. It was just the last stop. I was walking around all day with my knees bent, trying too give my back some cussion. When the pain made me wimper, and at times would drop me to the floor I said OK. Lets do this. Having total faith in your Dr. is very important. I am fused at L4-5. That was 5 years ago. I don't do cartwheels down the hallway. But I never did. Not living in pain allows me too do things I never could do. Today I like too live by, "use it or loose it." How much pain can you deal with? Or want to live in? All the best to you.

I had a fusion surgery in July. Also too soon to tell if it was worth it yet. It takes at least a year to get the full improvement. In your situation, though, I would say that surgery should not even be in your vocabulary yet.

You haven't said how long you have been in pain, but only having been to a chiropractor, you have not put much effort into treatment yet, and have had no official diagnosis. Don't do anything rash since pain can make people do things prematurely, and there are doctors that would do surgery unecessarily.

Please see a doc...get x-rays and an MRI. Get a diagnosis, and try medication and physical therapy for a while first.

I waited 15 years for surgery, and I don't recommend that, either.

My husband has 3 herniated disks. He has a lamenectomy surgery and that was helpful. He was out of the hospital the next day and walking. He was doing great for a few years. Then he slowly started getting pain back. This year he had a microdiskectomy. He was out of the hospital the next day again. This time recovery was even faster. So far he is doing great. If things stay this way it really paid off. If not... he still got several years pain free that he wouldn't have had without the surgery.

*I think a big consideration for anyone should be the type of surgery and who is doing it. You do hear of failed surgeries all the time. I would find out as much as you can about your surgeons success rate.

I can say without hesitating that my discectomy surgery was the best thing that happened for me. my Back pain cam suddenly - with out warning (although i am accident prone and over the years have taken a few tumbles - lol) within 8 months i could not walk, lost control of bladder and other more embarrassing functions
They took out the discs between l4 and 5 and l5 and s1.....the results were unbelievable.
I would consult your doctor - and chriopractor - (m chiro told me right off the bat that it was a herniated disc - the docs just kept giving drugs - and didn't do anything until it was too late),

My advice: get an MRI and Cat-scan - find out as much as you can about what is wrong. Be assertive with the Doctors, and find good ones! - they are there for you, not just to give drugs - pain is subjective and harder for them to diagnose clearly....and take the recovery seriously....do the exersizes, listen to the physiotherapist, and find out what works best for you, how you handle the recovery stage will determine the end result

good luck!
j