[Pat S]

In May I herniated L4-L5 (moderate) and L5-S1 (severe) both to the left side. Forced me to sell the Boxster (too low to get in and out of) and make a bunch of other changes. At 34 I was in the best shape of my life, running 30m a week, working out like crazy, perfect weight, low body fat, good lean muscle. Then, no idea how, just woke up one day in pain.

Since then, I've gained fat and lost muscle, I still can not do hardly any ab exercises, and only about half of my normal weight training routine, but I am for the most part pain free during regular daily activities.

One thing I have been able to keep doing is running. I'm much much slower and my stride is short on my left, but last weekend I ran a cross country half-marathon with almost no back pain.

I've had an MRI and the top neurosurgeon in the area said under normal circumstances he would not recommend surgery, but since my livelihood is at least somewhat tied to physical capabilities, and for my mental well being, he said in my case he would recommend a partial discectomy.

I've talked to former patients of his and got other opinions. I keep pushing it off, but after only being able to do 2 situps today, I'm annoyed enough to reconsider and just get it done.

Sorry, just frustrated and wanted to vent....