Hello, I'm 38; and my L4-L-5 disc ruptured about 3-4 yrs. ago; I was fine; I thought it'd healed until last January, whenit slipped and pinched my sciatic nerve; causing intense pain from my left-hip down to my ankle. I didn't have medical insurance at the time; since I work part-time; so, I couldn't have surgery until 7-25-11. After surgery,I felt slightly better; and was given at-home therapy and about 5 sessions of pt starting in September 2011. At that time, I began experiencing hard, painful, pulling sensations from my right hip and down to my right foot; which now, goes numb. I really like my surgeon,I told him what's happening; so, he did an MRI in October, and said that my back is very weak, and that I have some instabillity in the disc; and he's recommended aqua therapy. I fell like it may be rupturing again, and I've already had 4 steriod injections: March 31, 2011; October 26 2011(shots 2&3) and the 4th on Janurary 10, 2012. I'm concerned because the shots are becoming less effective; and now, my hips keep popping. My job is kind enough to let me sit when necessary; but, I can barely walk; once the shots wear off; I can hardly move. I was on disablitity for 8 months due to this; and I returned to work in September; I'm considering getting a 2nd opinion and returning to disabilty so that I can focus on pt and get stronger. I was really active before; and I'm so discouraged. Even with shots, meds, and pt; why am I getting WORSE? I'm really afraid that the same disc is going to rupture again; cause that's what it feels like. I was accepted to attend school, but this damn disc and sciatica is RUINING MY LIFE! Now, I have sciatica on both sides; and I am losing hope that I'll ever have a normal life again. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.