Hi Di ... and Merry Christmas to you also! 

Somewhere in this forum AEGram talked about this. Several of us have noticed the game will want us to open a new area, HOS or ZZ where one of the requirements is to be at a level which is maybe one or two or more levels lower than where we currently are. It seems odd but this is happening quite often now. One of the things I noticed is that the level required is usually one where the content in an update ended. Level 104 is one of those. Quite a while back we had a content update where the final level was 104. Then the next content update went to Level 106 which is probably what you're working on now.

So while it may seem strange, everything is okay.

Oh thank you! You are a sweetheart and a wise owl! I was worried to take the painful plunge not knowing the depth! LOL

A very happy and safe holiday to you and yours!

You're very welcome and glad I was able to help.

Hi Di, I thought I'd relieve some of your anxiety.  I also had back surgery quite a few years ago.  It's not as invasive as it once was.  Mine was for a collapsed disc, but it's done with Laproscopic surgery.  I only have a small 1 to 2" scar on my spine.  I literally walked out of the hospital and did some grocery shopping before I went home.  I suffered for 4 months before I could get it done, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.  Hope all goes well for you.

Bingo

Hi Bingo. Thanks for the info. Where was your collapsed disc located? Mine is in the lumbar section - I don't recall exactly which one L3, L4 or whatever. I'm certain the type of surgery will depend on how bad the disc is and where it's located.

The doctors here have called my problem a "slipped" disc. I did a little research and discovered -

What Is a Herniated Disc?

People may use several different terms when referring to a herniated disc, including:

• Slipped disc
• Collapsed disc
• Ruptured disc
• Prolapsed disc

I'm going to try to get in to see a doctor that my cousin went to a few years ago. The two doctors I saw previously really wouldn't go into much detail and I didn't like that. My cousin is a retired operating room technician (or surgical technician) and worked with many surgeons in the past. She highly recommends this doctor who did her surgery.

I've been putting up with this pain for about 3 years now. It was first diagnosed as bulging discs and spinal stenosis. Then about a year later as a slipped disc. I'll start working toward getting something done after the first of the year.

Thanks again for your input.

Hi again,  Mine was L4.  I didn't know my back surgeon before the surgery, but I had a very good family doctor.  I think that's what made the difference.  I had back problems,(similar to you) for years, after being thrown from a hay wagon when I was in my teens.  The disc didn't totally collapse until I was in my late 50's.  I hope everything goes well for you.  Let me know how you make out.

Thanks, Bingo. I'll wait until after the first of the year to try and get an appointment. Like most doctors, I expect it will be maybe 2 months before I can get in since I will be a new patient. But that's okay because I know, unless it's an emergency, I need to wait until after school is out for the surgery to make it easier for my son to help me.