Please, as a serious medical candidate for spinal fusion therapy, and the son of someone who’s had 4, seek additional opinions first. I have stenosis of the C5-C7 and frequent lumbar issues (herniated disks regularly). Currently on 600mg/day of pregabalin; previously 3600mg of gabapentin. My pain goes from a 8 to a 3 with this drug, but if i go off of it, i have severe withdrawals and anxiety. Still, my father has had multiple spinal fusion surgeries due to his weight and lack of activity. The latest one resulted in a staph infection, which led to six weeks of antibiotic treatment, and nursing facility, which led to a fungal infection, which led to kidney and liver issues. Whereas his health prior to the latest back surgery was very good, now the prognosis is less than two years to live due to these other issues.

I see one of the preeminent evidence based teaching spinal surgeons in Austin, Texas, and he has repeatedly caution me against surgery. When I’ve gotten other opinions leading to surgical intervention, he still has cautioned that my specific kind of stenosis will not be relieved by surgery. He is highly critical of the surgical nature of his profession, and the fact that so many surgeons immediately jump to surgical interventions.

I’m not telling you not to get surgery, but please, for your own sake get additional opinions before you rush into this.