Hello, I too had a spinal fusion at the L4-5 in april 2009 and my pain returned a year to a year and a half later. I am on course to have a second spine fusion and not really wanting to do it but I have no choice.I am in so much pain now days that i just pray and try to keep going. I am looking at ending my career as a microbiologist after 20 plus years. I am not sure how i am going to cope with not being able to work anymore. Also not sure if my pain will ever go away enough to enjoy the rest of my life being that I am only 48 years old. I believe i have a good surgery doctor and he can only do what he can do. What I don't understand is why the back goes out and causes so much pain. Does anyone know? Does anyone know how to cope with the pain? Or how to cope with a part of your life ending and going into the unknown?View Thread