Sciatica and pain Dam Back .. Help

Here's my story and advice in no particular order - and this may not be for everyone.
Here's my story: 1994 L4-L5 disc buldging, PT helped, but in 1997 it became herniated. Nothiing helped, I saw a Neuro surgeon and got surgery. It helped a lot but not 100%. Then in 2005 it re-herniated and I was having that LIGHTENING pain down my leg (Sciatic nerve pain) again and my foot would go numb. I couldn't stand or walk for more than 5 minutes. It was BAD. MRI, couple different neurosurgeons opinions and got my second surgery - cleaning up the herniated disc and cutting scar tissue out from the 98 surgery.

Make sure you have a good MRI done on your back and get a couple different opinions. Try PT and even ask about injections in your back, they help some people, but not me. DO NOT GET HOOKED ON PAIN KILLERS. I refused any pain meds and would only do steroid dose pack, aspirin, and ibuprofen. I am not a tough guy and my back was F'ed up, but I have seen many people get hooked on that stuff and it doesn't end pretty - not to mention it does not fix your discs! Don't go to an Orthopedic surgeon, ONLY see a Neurosurgeon.

Get the surgery if you see 2 or 3 docs and they recommend it. Don't read all the horror stories, everyone is different, and I have friends who swear "I'll never let them cut on me" and they end up addicted to pills and on Methadone. There is a better chance of surgery helping than making you worse - MUCH better chance.
PM me if I can be of any help. I hope you feel better whichever course you go. Back pain SUCKS BAD.