Thanks ICC- that's a big help. I have problems with pain meds also-- they make me sick. But was hoping a muscle relaxer type med like the flexeril or skelaxin might help.

I'm trying to look at the whole picture here & I suppose if I didn't have this back stuff thrown at me, maybe I would be in a better frame of mind-- I'm just really frightened as I was told I need fusion at at least 3 levels. I know I cannot tolerate surgery like that right now. A silly lap chole threw me into major panic attacks last spring !
HOPing for the best with pain management so I can buy some time & get my mind in a better place, if that's possible...:dizzy:

thanks for your help !