It is my first time being on the Chronic Pain Forum. Anyhow, I am tired and hurting and not feeeling like I won't to do much typing now. I still want to share my story now. Oh! I am gonna copy and paste some stuff from another group now. Yep! I actually had major neck surgery last March.(as in C4-5) OK. I have had neck MRI's, brain MRI's & low back MRI's. OK. I was told degenerative disc disease,L4-5, after the one during the week of Christmas. Also, I did wear the neck brace for 12 straight weeks. OK. I was told the surgery was a success. Of course, I was actually told my neck is not 100% below where the surgery took place, but 2 neurosurgeons, 1 neurologist, 1 orthopedist,and 1 pain clinic doctor all agreed it was not doing any pressing and that it was not enough to be sweating over. Oh! I also use a cane and lose my balance sometimes. Yep! I did have to go to balance training because of an inner ear problem on the left side as well. I even had the test to prove I was not having seizures.(which I knew I did not need that test) (and wore a heart monitor for nothing) (and no work since back in November) By the way, I can't count up every test and doctor visit of 2011 on one hand right now. I was just taking Aleve and/or Tylenol and getting enough relief. OK. I have got some Tramadol by now. I have taken a few.(at night because of drowsiness)(if pain was not 1 or 2 only) Yep. I was getting relief, but I seem to wake up in pain of 3, 4, or 5 sometimes now. Why? I don't get it. Anyway, I am going to see if I can doze at all. Yep! The nerve damage test on my legs was good. The orthopedist actually put advanced degenerative disc disease on the letter that he did that was sent to Atlanta. By the way, I am trying to get on retirement disability through the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia.(on it by now) Yep! Oh! I am trying to get on SSD as well. I'll probably be denied like most people are on the first try. (although ready to have lawyer if needed) Also, I have been getting proper sleep.(or usually)(and napping, too) OK. I was told chronic fatigue a while back. I have had some days in 2011 where I did not need pain med or any rubdown with any pain relieving cream.(which I have more than one) (and walked without cane) (although it was definitely used today) OK. That one person mentioned balance as well. I must figure that person has fallen, too. I am actually tired of having tests done and going to different doctors appointments by now. I don't have any this week. That is cool with me. I need to have a break before I just lose my cool for good. None of the doctors that I did mention said they can say 100% that the falls were simply because of DDD. (possibly...plus inner ear problem on left side)(with no ear trouble)(but some test that was showing it) OK. They all agreed the neck is not needing more surgery, causing anything worth sweating over, or showing anything that should make me lose my balance.(though I fall without getting hurt)(so far) By the way, I actually got the orthopedist to do injections on both sides of my back instead of pain clinic doctor. The pain clinic doc was waiting on nerve test results, but I just cancled. Oh! My back was better for a couple of weeks.(and still hurts less than neck & shoulders sometimes) Anyway, I have typed enough by now. It is not making any pain vanish now. That will be all now.