I have a L4/L5 herniation and a L5/S1 bulging disc. I did 8 months of PT (2/3 times a week) last year, but while it got me out of that "OMG pain!!" state, I was still having enough pain that was I pretty miserable.

They had tried me on oral prednisone and gabapentin when I was first diagnosed and both had horrible side effects, and after the PT, I ended up getting the series of three cortisone shots. The cortisone shots worked wonders - it was so amazing to not have pain day in and day out. That was 6 months ago... and I think it's worn off.

For the last 6 months, I've concentrated on getting stronger. Without pain, it's obviously so much easier to get through exercises. I felt good and really tried to pay attention to my posture, etc.

So now I don't know what to do. My pain is almost exactly where it was pre-cortisone shots. And when I look at other's experiences, it's all over the place. I've read through some of the old threads, and of course, everyone's experiences are different. Some do well with surgery, some with PT, inversion tables, yoga, etc.

I'm utterly confused and frustrated!