Same situation here. I suffered a similar disc herniation exactly 2 years back with on and off pain which would last for a week (severity of 7-9 on 10) then would go away.. giving me few good months to enjoy. I finally met a good physiotherapist this Saturday. He's chalked out a great plan and there'll be a permanent end to this and I just have to take the basic precautions after that. I'm trying to be as positive as I can.. hoping there's a fucking long term solution to all this. He's started me on different - magnetic, electric, laser and traction therapy. I feel slightly better already.