[Maria]

First off sorry to read that you've had ongoing problems and once again are facing a decision that really probably doesn't even have a definitive answer. By this I mean surgeons can probably tell you what might happen though I'm not sure what might happen will happen and even if it does may or may not impact you as one thinks it will.

I am wondering what the surgeon you saw thinks with regard to the autofusion and/or has advised you with regard to this option or more surgery (fusion)?

I've had 2 discectomies at L4 and L5S1 and was a candidate for a 3 level global fusion, then a two level ADR, the ADR and fusion.. didn't do any of the surgeries because after numerous years of pain post 2nd discectomy it seemed I was starting to feel somewhat better with what at that time was probably related to good response to ESIs, Methadone and Neurontin or at least about 5 years going into all that. I didn't want to be dragged back into the "unknown" re more surgery and response.

Even though my L5S1 area is pretty much autofused L4 is still problematic enough to bug me. I'm not sure what L3 is doing as that had an annular tear for the longest time and it's been so long since I had an MRI (2006) I don't really know what all is happening back there though I know not enough to warrant an updated MRI per WC (work comp).

I'm hoping my L4 will autofuse too and I'm hoping I can get away without anymore spine surgery though I don't know about that so I guess it's sort of always a "maybe" out there for me.

What I'm wondering is would it be possible for you to take pain medication and do nothing else surgically? I did that for the last 14 years. Am just now starting to taper on Methadone which I have to say was a very good drug for me re pain. I'm not sure I'll get off it entirely however that was at least what I have been attempting to do though honestly it did provide me with quite adequate pain relief and also I was dealing with "the devil I knew" vs the devil I didn't re more surgery.

Just food for thought. I mean surgically fusing two levels may help some things and may create some other problems so it's hard to weigh it against the body just auto fusing those levels (the unknown response either way though I tend to put more faith in the body's ability to heal itself than rods, screws and such). I know we all want the Holy Grail when it comes to spine surgery and I'm sure plenty of us get it.. and then plenty don't. I also understand if one might absolutely need surgery to prevent something from worsening.. though I do tend to think what might help one spinal problem might create another surgically so I've held back thus far from thinking along surgical lines myself. I'm sure I have enough going on that something would still be recommended for me like multi level fusion (my low back was so out the last few days ..just outrageously painful to move let alone do anything). And then there are the people I know that have had successful recent spine surgeries or surgeries that actually helped them so it always comes down to each individual weighing his or her own situation and rolling the dice I guess. You know well enough about this given your own spine surgery experience.

Good luck with whatever you'll be doing and please continue to update us~ whatever route you choose to take ~ Maria