My boyfriend injured himself in June 2007 causing him to have a herniated disc with a crack on it. In order to do away with the pain, he had surgery on Sept. 30, 2009, an infusion at L4 and L5. According to the doctor, the surgery went well, with a recovery time of 6 to 12 months. It has been 6 months and the pain is worse than it was before. Before the surgery my boyfriend had physical chiro therapy, epidural and cortisal shots. Post surgery, he is still recieving physical therapy and was just given the okay to receive aquatic therapy. He is on medication -- Tramidol, Hyrocodone-750mg and muscle relaxers. Nothing helps at all. It's chronic pain 24/7/365. He has muscle spasms and can't sleep at night. He also feels numbness from his buttocks, hamstrings, down to his toes, especially if he is trying to use the bathroom. He doesn't leave the house to drive even short distances due to the pain. He can't sit or stand for long periods of time either. That means no movie thearters or dinners out. Movies and dinners in are no better for him. When asked how he's feeling day to day, the response is always the same, "My back is killin' me". He can't play with his kids in the way he would like to. It's serious pain and I don't know what to do to make it better. Please help him. Help us and our children have their dad BACK.