I had a spinal fusion in my spine c3 to c5 19 years ago. I can honestly say that that surgery took me out of a lot of pain. I've been suffering with fibro for about 30 years. Only diagnosed 4 years ago. I also have osteoarthritis above and below the fused area. But my flares always effect my neck, head,lower back, left hip, right knee and both my feet. What I am trying to say is having the surgery might get you out of 1 form of pain to still get pain in another form of way. A catch 22 so to speak. Lots of luck in your decision. My thoughts and prayers are with ya.

I have had two back surgeries. The first one was three years ago and it was a fusion. It was suspected that i had fibromyalgia prior to the surgery, but i was not offically diagnosed. The fusion was solid but what a horrible experience. I was in so much pain and the doctor was a butt head when it came to bedside manner. He didn’t listen and Would have me in tears with each follow up visit. It was the first time I experienced true agony. Years of pain followed.
Fast forward to my second back surgery, one year ago. I was on large doses of opioids and couldn’t walk. This doctor was a compassionate genius. He performed acomplicated minimal invasive surgery through one tiny hole. I woke up out of surgery in very little pain.
I wish i knew about minimal invasive surgery and this doctor from the begining. It was life changing.
I live in a rural area and i drove four hours to see this wonderful doctor.

I had stem cell injections into 12 facets (6 cervical & 6 lumbar) as well as 6 discs (3 cervical & 3 lumbar). I was my own donor (so no rejection problems, etc.). My marrow was mixed with my red blood cells (PRP) and then injected using live imagining to get the exact right locations. This was done in two procedures (cervical & lumbar). Each procedure took approx. one hour for harvesting and injections. Done under a twilight sleep. I woke right up (done in an outpatient surgical center) and walked out. Took pain meds (for the harvest areas) for a couple days. And then was cleared to drive. Best decision I ever made. Horrible, constant pain I was in was gone. I was told that the treatment would last a lifetime. One and done! I had to pay out of pocket, but it was well worth it!

Ankylosing Spondylitis. Tirns out my fibro was actually caused by AS but I was diagnosed with Fibro first.

It depends on your doctor. I paid approx. $8k per 'procedure.' That included the surgical center, anesthesiologist and doctor. It was an all inclusive price. Note that I had 3 discs and 6 facets in the lumbar area (ie: one procedure) and the same in the cervical area (second procedure done about 6 months later)! Once I realized that this was about the same cost as a good vacation, I was able to get over the 'sticker price' and feel that it was well worth it. I was saving a LOT of money that I had been spending on medications and all sorts of treatments, plus the loss of income from being unable to work. It's been about 4 years now since I did this and I am still pain free in the areas that were worked on with Stem Cells.