Doug & Big Kahuna,
I was in the exact same boat as you guys, and I assure you I am sending prayers your way.
I scheduled an appointment to meet a surgeon after almost 1 year off and on, and 6 months SOLID back pain. Or, let me say excruciating back pain. I was completely debilitated, then by some stroke of luck, or the hand of the big guy in the sky. One day I woke up and was just slightly sore. The next day I was completely healed! I kept my appt. just to see if this happened, and he told me, "yes".
there is hope,
kyle.