Herniated disc L4/5 - questions???

(Male: 39 y/o)
I have been experiencing problems with herniated disc on and off since
the beginning of the year. MRI results showed a disc prolapse at the
L4/5 level which was compressing the right L5 nerve. Initially I was
experiencing slight discomfort in legs in the morning and around
August time for a period of about 3 weeks was virtually a cripple -
the first hour or so of getting out of bed I would be crawling on
hands and knees and was also experiencing numbness in right foot and
weakness of leg. At this time I was referred to a Neurosurgeon who
suggested a lumbar spine procedure to remove the part of the disc.

I agreed to surgery which was scheduled for about 5 weeks later -
however, in the meantime my condition improved significantly: the
numbness in foot had disappeared and strength in leg returned, there
was just a slight dull ache in the buttocks when I twisted and turned
in a certain way.  As a result, at the last minute I cancelled
surgery.

Over the following 12 weeks or so, things just got better and I
thought I was "cured" - I was regularly doing long bike rides and
mountain hikes and experiencing no discomfort whatsoever.  However,
last week while staying with a friend I ended up sleeping on a camping
bed for a few nights and once again experienced problems - a sharp
pain at the top/back of thigh and difficulty when lying on my back to
raise my right leg straight. The pain is tolerable at the moment,
however, I am concerned that the condition may get worse again, rather
than better!

As a result of all of this I have several questions and would be
grateful of any advice (maybe I should have addresses these in
individual post??)

1)      With my current condition (pain in leg) should I continue with my
back exercises (which I can still do, although sometimes can be a bit
painful) or should I be resting my leg and taking things easy?

2)      If at all possible, I would like to avoid back surgery (even with a
first class surgeon - which I believe I have - it still frightens me).
Would it be worth considering Chemonucleolysis as a first option?
Under what circumstances should this procedure be considered as a
viable option?

3)      A friend of a friend who suffered from a herniated disc had an
endoscopic procedure carried out at a clinic in Germany
(www.alphaklinik.com) which was very successful, pain free and
performed under a local anesthetic. Reading the sales blurb on the web
site they claim that the procedure they carry out is unique to their
clinic??? Does anyone know of any other places where such procedures
are performed? Surely this must be preferable to open/microscopic
surgery?? What would be the possible disadvantages?


4)      What are the chances of a full permanent recovery without surgery
or am I just putting off the inevitable? Can discs 'repair' themselves
(bearing in mind I am 39 y/o)?

5)      By not having surgery is there any chance that serious damage can
be done to the back/nerves or reduce the success of surgery at some
time in the future?


Sorry this has been a bit longwinded - thanks for any feedback??