Thanks SE and Mindy it is very comforting that there are others out there that have and maybe still are going through what I have and still am.
Well lets see, was diagnosed with Degenertive Disk Diaese in 2000, then come to find out that L4 had blown, but they thought they could remove part of it that was causing my pain. Okay strike one, 2001 after several injections into a disk that would not hold the medication they decided that a fusion of L4 - S1 would be my best bang for the buck. Recovery from that was very long and painful, he ordered no therapy just walking, and in WI in the winter one does not get out much. From day one told him that it felt like there was a golf ball in my back. Oh that will go away, he said. Made it very uncomfortable to sit or lay down. But anyway, after 4 more years of pain I just couldn't take it any more. Now keep in mind I loved to downhill ski, water ski, boating, hunting, hiking and anything out doors. Oh ya and was terminated from my job because of the fusion surgery, they were affraid I would not come out of it I guess. 15 years as a fire investigator for insurance companies and that is what I get!
So I go back to this doctor, sorry there is nothing I can do, go see a pain management doc. Okay, he says the only reason he said that was he screwed up and didn't want to face it. Whatever! So he starts me out on Vacidin, 6 up to 8 a day. No releif. Okay lets try injections, 5 of those and no relief. Well lets put in a Medtronic Neurostimulator. Actually worked for a year, then one day it decides to go crazy on me, you should have seen the look on the ladys face that was a customer of mine at a car repair shop. I started dancing around and trying to find my remote to shut it down. So I go in, it fell out of synic was there answer. Two days later in the hosptial with a morphine drip, and back spasms like no tomorrow. Lost four days from my memory don't remember anything that occured. So back on Vicidian, some muscle relaxants (cant rember the name). And go on living with the pain and the fact that there is nothing to do, the fusion surgery injured, stretched out the nerves and nothing can be done. Drugs and drugs. Have been on Fetenal patches, oxycodone, morphine, oxycoton, methadone,flexeril, solpiden, gabapentin, valium, percocet, sorry that is all I can remember off the top of my head. Plus using the Medtronic stimulator.
As of today, like I said the stim failed the first of this year, still on oxycodone, fetenal. Only one of the leads are working and still is over stimulating me. I am 50 years old, I was very active. I loved watching my hometown high school football games. But cant sit that long. I have developed pain in my legs more so in the left, feels like a charlie horse. I am in central time zone, in beautiful northern WI. Medtronics is saying as long as one lead is working you will be fine!!??? I have a new doc, from the navy, and Walter Reed in DC. Is he good, not so far, but like I said is new to patients with this kinda pain. Blew his mind that my pain level day to day is a 9. All I want is to have a normal day without any pain, some days I don't think so, but looking at this forum gave me that light at the end of the tunnel. Although dim right now, but hopefully some one out there has gone through this and is pain, well almost pain free.
And that folks is my story the short verison.... 
Mikeyd