I've had severe back issues since I was in a car wreck in 1972.
I was seeing a Neurosurgeon in 1991 for this same condition.(pancaked L4, L5 discs) I was in such bad shape, I couldn't walk down a flight of stairs at that time.
You have to strengthen your core abdominal muscles, and keep them strong. If you are overweight, do the best you can to lose it.
I beat having to have the fusion surgery because I had Physical Therapy for seven weeks. I worked like a mofo, because I was scared sch!ttless of back surgery.(I still am)
I highly recommend that you get some physical therapy. You can come back from this.
Here is a link to a therapy that may be on the horizon:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-new-hope-for-back-pain-sufferers/
If this procedure goes mainstream, I will have it done for myself.
Good luck.