Jackie
Like you, I had a herniated disc at C-5-C-6. It was very painful and I don't even know how I got it. I had a lot of pain and numbness. It got so bad that I was on Vicodin pills. I too had an MRI and it showed a herniation that affected the nerve. I tried the cortison shots and the first one worked great, the second did nothing. (They are quite painful too). Then I saw a surgeon who suggested that I wait and see if it heals on it's own. It took seven long months, but slowly the symptons began to fade. It was a miracle because I thought I'd have it forever. I would suggest that after four years, you probably need surgery. Good luck.