Fusion...

I just had an L4 L5 discs fusion in February. My L5 to S1 was naturally fused when I was born, so that is why my L4 L5 disc took a beating my whole life because I was not aware of the fusion until 2012. I I had known about the natural fusion I would not have been bending and twisting the way I had been since I was a kid. My L4 L5 disc was degenerated and was bulging toward my spine and out both sides toward my nerves that go down the sides of my legs and feet. I must have first injured my back when I was in sports in high school, I have had pain since then. 2011 it must have really blown out because I had severe pain in my legs. Tried everything from steroids to physical therapy to melodixicam. Went to an orthopedic surgeon he said I had an 80% chance that a fusion would help and reduce 80% of my pain. Decided to go that way. Insurance company would not cover it. Fought it out with them for a year. Ended up having to get on my own insurance plan to get it covered. Tried to get second opinions from two other doctors. Both said they would not do surgery on me, because I am too young for back surgery. They wanted to put me on Lyrica for the rest of my life. Went through with the surgery. I did nothing but sleep for the first month. There is some pain with the surgery but no more than I had been putting up with my whole life. It is over 3 months out now and I am back to work on my farm and everthing is going well. I still watch what I do, because your back is not fully healed til 6 months. I only took the strong pain meds once after surgery and a few Tylenol after that, now I take nothing. Nerve pain is probably 95% going. Back pain is also 95% gone. It does not limit your bending and twisting much at all. It definitely takes 3 months or more before you start feeling good again. Make sure you find a good surgeon.