@drxtract I’ve spoken with @dlydailyhope quite a bit and will agree with her see pain management surgeons are just there to FIX the problem . The Salon Pas patches will be your best friend and you can even try the roll- on it’s easier to do if you’re alone. Since your fused to S1 be careful twisting or bending I was twisted at 3 weeks after an L4-S1 fusion and then told by my surgeons np I could start bending and twisting at 4 weeks , that night I bent to dry my lower legs and there was a burning that has never improved since May 2023. The anal and groin pain got worse, it started feeling like bottle rockets being launched in my legs! I just found out a few weeks ago at Mayo Clinic I have a screw loose at L5 and leave it alone and get a pain stimulator which I just finally had the trial put in Tuesday and it has helped! Good luck and don’t ever be afraid to ask questions even if they sound silly odds are others have been there and have great advice!