Diana
Jacqulyn - In 1976 I was 27 and had a large herniated disc at L5. The doctors kept saying it was a pulled muscle and gave me pain pills & muscle relaxers. My right leg hurt so bad and my toes and the side of my feet became numb, so my dr. finally put me in the hospital and called in a neurosurgeon. They removed the herniated disc and recovery times were longer then, but after recovery I had a tiny bit of numbness in my right foot, but other than that I felt great. I learned to lift properly and take it easy. 3 yrs ago I stupidly tried to carry too many things up some stairs and ruptured L3-4. I had surgery for it in June 1998 and now they have you up walking right away and in a few weeks I was walking 2 miles a day. I hope you can get the opinion of a good neurosurgeon so that you don't suffer more nerve damage and can get relief for your pain. I know how excrutiating it is and how hard to take care of children when you're in pain. If I can be of any help let me know.