I suffered with a bulging disc L3/L4 for over seven years. I had surgery one year ago - microdiscectomy (sp?)- and it was the best thing I could have ever done. I will tell you this, DON'T RUSH INTO SURGERY. The advice to make sure you are being treated by the BEST available doctors is the best advice you can receive. Epidural injections do work and at times I gained relief for over 18 months between injections, so I highly recommend Pain Management. I know what you are going through and I wish you the best. You are welcomed to PM me if you just need to talk. Like an earlier post, no one understands the pain unless they have experienced it.