Judy
Get the surgery! I had a herniated disk and suffered for 1 1/2 years--including 6months using a cane! (I was 44.) I tried physical therapy, chiropractor, steroids, epidural shots in my back, electric stimulation and LOTS of Advil (25 a day). Finally, I was tired of feeling like an old woman and the quality of my life was challenged. A neurosurgeon performed a microdiskectomy; I was in the hospital 3 nights, off of work a month, and I have been FINE for over 6 years. Good luck to you. Judy