Do you have the MRI report? If you do, can you post it? I can read those, and could perhaps help you with that. Maybe I could tell if you REALLY need surgery.

Surgery should be a LAST RESORT after ALL conservative methods have been exhausted!!! NEVER jump into surgery because you may regret it big time! And when you're referred to the Neurosurgeon, if he suggests surgery, make SURE you get at LEAST 2 more opinions from other NEUROSURGEONS. Never take one surgeons opinion!!! He could very easily be wrong!!!

Surgery is only for mechanical problems. It is NOT for pain!!! Usually after surgery, you're left with the same pain or worse. Then there is the "Domino Effect." That's where the levels above/below the surgery site fail because they've had to take on more of the load -- the doctors never tell you about this. Then you end up having THAT fixed, and the levels above/below THAT surgery site fail, etc.etc. -- it's a vicious circle.

You SHOULD take your medications as prescribed because if you don't your pain will get out of control, and then the medication won't work AT ALL. If you don't take the meds RIGHT WHEN THE PAIN STARTS, it won't work. So take it like you're supposed to!!! That's why he prescribed it. You won't get "addicted" if you take it for pain. Believe me.

I wish you the best. If you have your MRI report, please post it, ok? And let us know what the Neurosurgeon says, ok? Hugs, Lee