I have similar problems only in both my lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine. If I were you this is exactly what I would do: First I would get the MRI second I would not only get a second opinion but I would seek a different doctor who only believes in surgery as a last resort. Next I would stop doing anything that is aggravating my condition including working then I would start seeing a good osteopath who does low velocity adjustments and has a massage therapist on hand. I would pay the money and receive adjustments 3-6 times per week for as long as it takes and couple that with one to one and a half hour shiatsu or tui na treatments prior to the adjustments and follow the adjustment with an acupuncture treatment with electric stimulation on the needles. During this treatment you should never have to get up off the table. When I got home after the doctor I would boil up the herbs they gave me for the pain and for the spinal discs then I would use heat on my back then do a yoga routine (I highly recommend Back Care Yoga by Rodney Yee) then traction on my inversion table (one that hangs you from your waist rather than your feet (the inver-trac model is great). Then I would ice for at least 10 minutes. I would then eat properly avoiding dairy products take all my supplements and sleep properly on my new mattress and cervical pillow. Then get up and do it again and again and again until I am not only cured but better then I ever was before. There are resort places you can go to where you can get treatments like that if you do not live in a holistic type area.
I am only posting this because I care about you as a fellow human being who should not have to live in pain. I had very bad back problems from my service in the army I would have had steel roods put in my back if I listened to western doctors but not only did I not have an operation but I now have only minor pain and it gets better every day. YOU CAN DO IT TOO.
,Mike