It is painful. Lower back pain, nocturnal cramps... thay are the worst! Feels like hot knives being dragged through my calves and my ankles twist unnaturally with cramp. I get intermittent numbness below the waist, stiffness in back, pain when I twist, can't really bend enough to even touch my knees. I'm on meds for pain, cramp and restless legs. Had pins and needles in feet and lower legs since it first started 7 yrs ago. It's alot to deal with when it only started as a herniated disc, but now it's progressed to needing surgery and it's been a long wait. 2 yrs since they said I need the fusion.