betty
George... YES you should see a neuro surgeon ASAP ice.. physical therapy rest..all only are ways to try to cope with pain for a herniated disc... none will "make it go away" and you don't have to suffer like this.. You do need to have an MRI done ASAP x-rays do not show soft tissue..and won't show disc... the MRI will.. Surgery will usually help this.. what is done depends on wether or not you have a bludging disc..or ruptured disc... or if there is arthritis vertebrae involved... but you need to go ahead and act... I had a disc rupture.. totally rupture..and the Sciatic nerve got pressed... I was able to get surgery in about 2 wks... but in that short time.. The Sciatic nerve did permanent damage to my Right foot.. It's been about 8 mo with no improvement with the foot.. half of it is numb... sometimes feels like sand paper rubbing it,, and now they say the nerve damage is permanent.. really annoying.. I still feel the sciatic nerve some. can't sit too long.. can't stand too long.. BUT.. it is so much better than it was... I can walk now... have to be careful.. but THE SURGERY WAS SO SO WORTH IT.. now i can cope.. my own personal advice...is best to go to a skilled neuro surgeon..I have reas studies that give higher degree of success to them.. Neuro surgeons work with nerves.. a orthopedic surgeon works primarly with bones... BUT I understand some orthopedic surgeons do a good job... but still if it were me... I'd go with the guy that studied nerves.. and tissue.. sometimes i understand if there are disc..and vertebrae..(bone) problems.. both might be there in surgery... (happened with my mother in law.. ) good luck..