How do you find the balance between not rushing into major spinal surgeries & being too overcautious? I'm 33 and my doctors want me to have 2 major spinal surgeries, complete with rods and plates and artificial disc replacements and 6 month recovery time each..l know there's a good chance these implants will need upkeep within a decade.. that puts me at only 43. I don't want to spend the rest of my life undergoing surgery regularly. The problem is l'm in excruciating pain constantly and I can barely function, it seems l've exhausted all non-surgical treatment options, and my PM doctors have fallen victim to the CDC/DEA attack on pain patients and refuse to prescribe even a slightly higher dose of pain medication (which actually helps) despite having my med dosage cut by 85% in about a year. Any advice, experiences?