Paul,
I suffered from herniated discs for 2.5 years between C5,6 and 7. I put off surgery in the hope that it would fix itself. Often I was fine but for the last 9 months I had 6 months of grade 3 pain followed by debilitating grade 7/8 for 3 months when I could not get off my back except for short periods with lots of medication. My right arm became useless. I finally decided to take the surgical option. [ACDF] I was bothered at the prospect of the surgery having researched what actually occurs! I awoke after 3 hours of surgery and was pain free immediately except for some residual relating to the surgery itself. Within 5 days I was not taking any pain relief at all. Two weeks I am almost recovered although very cautious about lifting etc - no golf , hiking just yet.
Get yourself a good Neurosurgeon and get on with it. Life is too short to live it in pain.
All the best
Mike
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