Quoted:
I just had a disco gram, and my disk decompression is coming up in a week or two. The last three years have been very difficult. I don't think I will live another year unless this proceedure gives me some relief. I'm tired of pain meds. When I need them, I really need em. Then when I don't i detox and stop. Detoxing is hell on earth. I've had it. It has taken the insurance company 6 weeks to reply on giving this proceedure the go ahead. They still haven't replied. I am a text book case according to my doctor. L4 to L5 just about empty from the herniation, and L5 to S1 is pretty much gone. They are compressing my S1 nerve root. This pain is too much to live with. I can't be in the Army anymore(my disability is being evaluated now), and I can't be a paramedic or work in the ER  anymore. I walk my dog several times a week for a few miles usually. Sometimes my pain keeps me in bed. I'm not over weight. I try to do menial jobs sometimes, but can't do them. Life is very difficult. My doctor has all but promised releif from this disk decompression. I'm determined to make it work. That's all I have to keep me going right now. That and my wife, who happens to be pregnant. Otherwise I would have jumped off a cliff. I wish you the best.