I have had chronic back pain for almost two years. I was hospitalized in December 2012 because the pain was so severe that I could not walk. When it first started I thought that I had kidney problems as it was mostly on the right side I was in the hospital for five days and no one could determine what the problem was so they called in my orthopedic doctor. He prescribed a high dose of prednisone and it worked wonders...for a while. The pain however radiated down my left leg past my knee and it is so sever that I have problems sleeping at night. I am up taking ibuprofen a couple of times a night because it hurts so bad. I went to Pain Management, had an updated MRI and received two injections. They did not work. I have gone to PT twice and getting ready to go again. However, it really doesn t help much. The next step was for me to see a Neurologist. His office told me that the appointment was for the doctor to determine if I needed surgery. I knew that I wasn t going to do that so I didn t make the appointment. I also have other issues such as not having any balance. I have also fallen (and I don t know the reason) and when I fall, I don t have the strength to get back up. It is like I am dead weight and it is almost impossible for someone to try and help me. This is very scary. I just don t know what to do next. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you so-o very much.