Thank you for this info. I am struggling with this decision and sorry for your experience. I can relate because I skied for 30 years, but I don't blame that for my back pain. Maybe I should. I think a surfing lesson at age 70 did me in. Or maybe gardening- this heavy flower pots are a challenge.

I am taking meds and getting injections. My meds are or have been gabapentin, prednisone, tramadol, tizanidine, naproxen, and Tylenol. Prednisone gave me Cushing Syndrome. Naproxen was discontinued when I ended up in the hospital with diverticulitis. I didn't like the tramadol and I started getting hooked on it, so I stopped it. I am still on prednisone because you have to wean off of it. Surprisingly, a max dose of Tylenol per day is effective. I use tizanidine in the evening when I know I won't be going out again. Gabapentin seems good, but I don't actually feel it working; its effect is subtle. Pain management is my main activity every day.

I have only talked to one surgeon so far who told me the recovery would be brutal and the surgery might not work. This message board has been helpful.