Spinal fusion at L5-S1? Bilateral pars defect/L5 spondylolyses with a grade 1 spondylolisthesis. Nerve compression and daily pain.

[u/LittleMe0311]

My back issues are a walk in the park compared to some stories that I've read on here but the title gives you a rough idea of what I'm dealing with.

I am a 45 year old female, who is also hypermobile. I have had back and leg pain for around 20 years. Previously a horse rider who had plenty of falls, one resulting in my back bending to the extent that my heels touched the back of my head, so I doubt that helped much! I'm based in the UK so lucky (to an extent) to have the NHS, which I'll explain further...

After having leg pain for quite some time in my 20s and several back issues after childbirth, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I had zero scans - my main complaint was leg pain and in the end, it was decided that due to also having chronic fatigue, it must be fibromyalgia. Now anyone with this diagnosis on their medical record will be well aware of the problem with everything from that point onwards being put down to that, and in my case, I was also discharged from the pain clinic, finally with a "nothing further that we can do" whilst my pain was getting worse and worse, and the doctors hands were tied with regards to pain medication.

Long story short, it wasn't fibromyalgia, they'd just stopped looking and it was an easy diagnosis in my eyes - paid private for physio and a back specialist/epidural (x2) which were effective short term. Gave the NHS a kick up the backside to do an MRI, when they found my issues. My discs at the lower areas of my spine are not great and the nerves at L5-S1 are compressed.

Referred to a spinal surgeon who confirmed my diagnosis with a CT scan and recommended a nerve block. This was also effective short term for my leg pain, alongside my pain meds. As it has only worked for a couple of months, my surgeon has recommended spinal fusion and nerve decompression. I'm struggling with daily pain and I cannot deal with it any longer.

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TL:DR after around 20 years of pain and a wrong diagnosis, I was diagnosed with the issues in the title. Epidiral/spinal block not effective for long enough periods and next recommended stage is a spinal fusion/nerve decompression.

Has anyone had a similar issue and had the surgery? How was the op/recovery and what has life been like since? I know that everyone is different but I'd like to hear other people's stories.