Wishing you the best--no fun to be in pain. Hope to hear how it goes for you. Sometimes those disc sort of heal on their own good time, but think too long now for you to expect that. My hubby was lucky and his got better but he still has numbness in his leg and occasional pain. He is a very active man and I think that helps him survive without the surgery. His inital injury was about 12 years ago. He walks everyday, exercises doing stretches and weight lifts and never stops going all day long.