I have a fusion in my lower back. My L4-L5 disc and my L5-S1 disc were both herniated after a fall off a step ladder in March 2005. I suffered with the injury for 18 months before it was finally fixed correctly.

BEFORE I got it fixed I lost all feeling in my left leg. Could not walk. Could not even bend over to put on my own socks and shoes. Could not get into a chair or bed without help and could not get out of a chair or bed without help. Could not even twist around enough to wipe my own backside.

3 surgeries later - I now have enough titanium and stainless steel in my lower back to build a small space capsule. The final surgery was in Sep. 2006. Thats the one that fixed me.

I tell you this, not because I'm making a recommendation for surgery. I am no doctor and I don't know the extent of your injuries. I tell you this, only to establish credibility. I've been in your shoes and I know how it feels - trust me when I tell you that.

During the time when my back was still screwed up - I had SEVERE stabbing pain in my left leg because the herniated discs were putting pressure on the S1 nerve root.

There is a drug that can be used to that that nerve pain. All the vicodin and percocet in the world will not stop that kind of pain. Those drugs don't work on nerves. They aren't the right kind of chemicals to work on the nerve endings that cause your pain.

You should ask your doctor about NEURONTIN. It works to stop the nerve pain.
Neurontin Information from Drugs.com

I took this drug for about 9 months BEFORE I was finally fixed. It works. The side effects are mild. It will make you tired. But if you fight the sleepiness for about 1/2 hr it will pass and you won't be tired anymore. The other side effect is joint pain. It made my knees, ankles, elbows etc hurt. Take a couple ibuprofen and you'll be fine.

Good luck.

Here's my back in October 2006. This is about 2 weeks after the final surgery.