@christmas714
Thanks for your reply. I didn't wait 6 - 12 months. I started PT roughly 3 months after surgery, but started walking and some exercises at home as soon as I could. At 6 months I was feeling pretty good, that was in May this spring. At early August I was having more pain, so I contacted the surgeon. He had me do a CT and MRI, and they showed the fusion was good but I have degenerative discs below and above. He said more surgery not needed, but to see a pain doctor for therapy. I finally got in to see the one he recommended, will have an epidural this week. I'm hopeful that it helps, and that there can be other therapy for the other sites.
I thought after a year things would be good, and I wouldn't be having the pain I'm having, but I guess not. I'm still walking and going to a fitness place associated with the PT group I saw. It helps, but I'm in pain during the workout. The only time I'm not in much pain is laying down. The only pain med I take is Tylenol. I hope I can decrease the pain with the injection or other nerve ablatement, which is what is proposed if the epidural doesn't work. Any comments on epidurals and ablatements would be welcome.