I have compression on l5 both sides but neurosurgeons wont do anything i am in a lot of pain but docs just say they can only try and manage pain?

Back or leg pain?: True L5 nerve compression causes leg pain, minimal back pain. Surgery is usually a poor choice for back pain (patients are disappointed w/ result) but may be reasonable for leg pain that persists despite nonoperative efforts at treatment, usually more than six weeks and preferably several months. Most pinched nerves resolve w/o surgery. When appropriate, surgery works well for pinched nerve.

Second opinion ?: Unless you have another medical condition that increases your risks for surgery, I would not expect this answer. If you have had previous back surgery, then statistically you may have a lower success rate. But first go and see an interventional pain specialist who can 1) help confirm the cause of your symptoms 2) treat those nerves with steroid injections, and 3) refer you for a second opinion.