prolapsed discs and bursitis

[butterfly2015]

I've already had a micro discectomy which hasn't really solved the pain issues. I didn't complete the full recovery period which didn't help and there's a mass of scar tissue. Consultant has suggested removing remainder of disc, fusing the vertebrae and putting a cage round it with bolts to hold it in place. I know three people who've had this done and all three now have severely reduced mobility. Has anyone had this done and found an improvement?

Second thing is I have bursitis in my right hip. I get steroid injections every three months but they will only do three a year. I had one in January and the pain is unbearable already so it's maybe not having g as much effect. I just wondered if anyone else has this and long term, what solutions are there?

The thought of being at this level of pain forever more is depressing. I'm taking gabapentin and paracetamol (allergic to tramadol) but it's barely taking the edge off it tonight.

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this butterfly, it's miserable. My DH had a prolapsed disc and failed microdiscectomy nearly 8 years ago. He had spinal injections of painkillers which also didn't work, and took gabapentin (and tried lots of others) for several years. A spinal fusion was suggested to him too, but the consultant could only give a 50/50 chance of improvement, plus an almost certain chance of reduced mobility, so he declined.
What he does now is basically manage the pain - have you been referred to a pain clinic? They were quite helpful with trying different drug combinations, relaxation, physio, acupuncture etc etc. if you don't have a referral, I'd push for one. It took him (and me) a long while to change our mindsets from looking for a cure to basically accepting that he has chronic pain and needs to manage it. He was early 30s when it first happened so it's a big thing to deal with.
There's also a support thread on here with lots of people dealing with long-term back pain, I'll see if I can find it for you

Can't link because I'm on my phone, but the thread is titled - The Back Pain Emporium is Open For Business. Browsers Welcome. Thread 7

Thank you so much, I will go hunting.

OP, I also had severe scarring around the l5 nerve root following micro discectomy. Further surgery to remove this wasn't successful. Do come and join us on the back pain thread. There are lots of us in similar positions, sadly.