[Squadron-Leader]

Wez

I feel for you, but here's a story.

In late 1993 I suffered a prolapsed L1 and L2 disc. I couldn't walk, I couldn't drive, was in constant pain and had roughly 6 months off work. Without pain killers I needed 4 pints of Stella to numb the pain!

The DR tried everything including different physio techniques and a few weeks of traction. Nothing was working.

I was lucky to have PPP (not Prodive) and went under the knife in March 1994. I had a 3 hour Discectomy and then spent 9 days in hospital. I then had 4 weeks of physio, swimming, walking and was fit for work again in May 1994. I ditched my manual Pug (XSi 309) for an auto Carlton CDi. The best decision I ever made and kept it for 7 years... at which point I bought my 1st Impreza.

I'll be honest with you and say I had set backs and even now I can hurt my back very easily, but I can drive, swim, ride a bike and carry things without too many problems. All my lower discs are not strong and after a scan in 2003 showed 1 could get pretty bad in later life, but I'll cross that bridge when I have to.

The operation worked for me, but has left me with numb heels and the possibility of a crap time in old age.

Go 'auto' and see what happens. At one point I never thought I'd drive a manual again... but I did ...and have now had 4 since the op.

Chin up mate.