N&B,
I did give your blog a quick see and am pretty dismayed at the treatment you've received at the hands of specialists. I am no where close to others on this forum as far as medical knowledge but I know enough to know you haven't seen the right doctors.
First, L4/5 is has almost no disc height left and the end plates don't look right (at least to my eyes - see above) I can't say where your pain is coming from but if the only surgeries you've had are discectomies, there are newer and better remedies out there but you have to know where to look and currently, you have to be willing and able to spend your own money. It's difficult to get coverage for doctors out of the country and if you can maneuver through the system, it does take time but perhaps it ultimately would be worth looking into.
There are excellent doctors both on the east and west coasts of the US and Germany. I call them heavy hitters and to date, there aren't many of them.
If you're paying out of pocket, the cost is Germany is about half the US and in my opinion, Dr. Bertagnoli and Dr. Zeegers are the best in the world. Also in Germany is an unbelievable diagnostian, Dr. Baumbach.
Two remedies which you should look into are ADRs and fusion. Living with this much pain should not be acceptable until all solutions are exhausted. Mark,
GPN Artificial Disc Replacement ADR is a patient advocate who can facilitate internet consultations with most of the heavy hitters if you decide you want to explore your various options without leaving home.
I'm sorry for your suffering. I lived too many years with the same pain and disability. I had a 3 level lumbar ADR in 2005 and though not 100%, I do have my life back. I think perhaps you can too!!!!!
Good luck, Dale