Thanks for the encouragement. I'm glad to hear from someone who's been down this *ouch* road before & recovered with therapy/exercise and avoided surgery. It is early days yet, but I have Physio 3 X week, have a wonderful massage therapist I see regularly for 1 hr sessions (purr) and the medications. I've been given a few stretching exercises that I do as "commercial breaks" while reading. As often as possible, I make the trek to my sister's outdoor pool in Surrey/Port Kells for weightless exercise. This will do until I see a neurologist, have a CT scan or whatever and get a definite diagnosis. My Physio guy is about a 3 minute drive from my home, depending on traffic lights. When I'm hurting, I love his office being so close to my home.

I may be PM'ing you in the future for further advice.