I'm 50 yo, have had back issues for about 20 year's now. I had surgery in 2000 to relieve two L4-L5 herniated disc's, fragments of which had sheared off and were imbedded into my sciatic nerve which had to be surgically removed. The surgery was an instant success back then as problem was caused by me being an idiot and causing my own injury at the time. Surgery went great and was back in gym in 3 weeks.

I was never quite the same having back problems almost yearly that would last a week or so then go to go again for another year, none of which were sciatic, until last year . . .

About 9 months ago, what started off as, best description, a tooth-ache in my left ass check that was constant and only got worse, side-lined me from training after only a few weeks and within 3 months effected me to the point of me not being able to walk or stand for more than 5-10 minutes w/out grabbing onto something lessened in intensity in the ass and all of a sudden moved down my leg to the side of my calf and became tingling, like pins and needles. I saw 2 back "Specialists" the first took x-rays and said it was arthritis and gave me a book on stretching. After zero progress in 6 weeks, got a second opinion. this one measured my toe strength, which was weak, measured my calves - my right was 3/4" larger than left, feeling in toes - which there was none and finally ordered an MRI. Which showed herniation of L4-L5 discs on both sides and something to do with S1 on my right side . . . basically years of 225 lbs seated military presses behind the neck for 5 of 5's, squats and everything else over the years finally caught up with me!

Never had an epidural. I know I can't drive home but can someone tell me what to expect in terms of can I go to work next day or should I schedule it off? If it works, how quickly and should one shot do it or 2-3 possibly? How long before it kicks in if it works and when can I start lifting again? (again, if it works?) Is it temporary or permanent?

Sorry, doctor was very vague and I have all these questions. I've heard different things from different people that have had them but I'm sure my brothers (and sisters) on this site, who have done/used same supps/exercises over years might have more accurate answers based on the things "We" put or bodies through, as opposed to "Normal" people with back issues?

Any thoughts/experiences would be much appreciated.

Thanks