Thank you! I’ve been reading your posts and it gives me hope where I had lost any. The neurosurgeon is running testing next week, after he looked at my most recent mri that my neurologist ordered in September. Mayo has given me some hope they can help. I have been to consults with three other NS and they had different opinions on the cause of my pain. One said it was a Tarlov cyst at S2, 1.9 cm. Inoperable, suggested a spinal cord stimulator. The next one is sure it’s my SI joint and suggested more PT then a possible fusion.

But this doctor was the only one who sat and looked over my mri with me, showing me the damage in my L4-5 area. Then he actually examined me, asking me to walk back and forth, on my toes, on my heels, etc. Doctors write in my notes I have a normal gait, but never saw me stand up, let alone walk.

So a fusion may be what I end up with.
I have been reading this forum a lot lately, and listening to all of you kind people, who share your stories with the rest of us. I thank you!