Sciatica and herniated disc

[Premo]

I have been having stiffness in lower back and pain/tingling/numbness running down left leg and foot steadily for 4 months. MRI shows herniated disc (L5/S1); tear or herniated disc (L4/5);  hemangioma (L3 vertebra).

Possiblities: lumbar steroid injections or surgery.

Chiropractor and medical doctors want to try the injections.  Since they are only a temporary fix, if any relief at all, I don't know that I want to go that route either.   Looking for second, third, twenieth... opinions please.

[woozy]

It's up to you, and what you can tolerate. If your job requires your back to be pain-free and you have the insurance, and can deal with the risk of surgery, I would opt for the surgery. The statistics are that after 2 years, a long time i know, patients who received the surgery or didn't, are recovered equally. With surgery, the pain during and right after is intense, I watched my husband go through it..without surgery, it's a long steady road to recovery. I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis.. and best of luck to you

[midnitemoon]

I had the microdisectomy for L5-S1 and it was the best thing I ever did.  I was in enormous pain and couldn't take it after 3 months(physical therapy) so I opted for the surgery.  Upon waking from anesthesia I was pain free and walked out of the hospital that day.  The only pain I felt was from the one and a half inch incision and it burned but I was given a Percocet and a prescription for 50 more (which I didn't even need all 50) and sent home.  The next day I felt aching in my leg again from the nerve now having room to swell and the inflammation but the Percocets took care of everything.  I started walking the next day and stretching the nerve every day.  The aching pain lasted about a month, I guess nerves take a long time to heal, and the incision pain only lasted a few days. My surgery was on March 28th and as of today I am 100% pain free and feel like myself again.  I don't regret it one bit. But you must decide for yourself. I could'nt face a year of pain in the hopes it would get better. I wanted that disk stuff outta there!!!

[JAM923]

This is something that Ive been really thinking about considering now Iam addicted to oxycontin,the reason I havent opted for the surgery was because my uncle had it done 2 yrs ago and is on his 3rd operation,that scares the hell outta me but I also need to get off thease meds,its a catch 22 for me and has always been,thanks jack.

[painncincy]

I had back surgery on March 20 this year , I am 31yrs old , I had the lumbar lamectomy, it was all done on a out patient basis , I, after the surgery , they sent me home , I was just in pain from the cut area , but two days after my surgery , i felt a funky tingle , like after you push mow for awhile  , and you let go how your hands feel , well I had that tingle from my around the appendix down to mid thigh, I called my Dr they said it was normal, I do not think it is , i still have the pain the numbness now I get charlie horses , in my back and legs , and I am goinf to the bathroom on my self without warning , is any one else having this problem?
I have had the steriod injections , myleograms, surgery , physical therapy ,
what else can I do , the pain is so bad , I haven't had a good nights sleep in eight or nine months,
I will lose balance sometimes , my leg will just go out from under me.
any one have anything like this or know what I should do ??
Thanks