thigh numbness

Hi everybody.I am hoping to get some answers as to why i have thigh numbness.It started 12 years ago,when i was 25 as extreme pinching and burning.It got to the point where i had to sleep on my side at night instead of flat on my back,to keep the pain down.Some mornings i would wake up screaming,because it felt like my leg was on fire.Now the pain isnt as bad as it was 2 years ago,but the right side of my thigh is completly numb,and a little portion of the thigh on my left leg is numb.There is slight pain when i touch the numb area.I've had a mri done,and the results showed i had degenerating discs,and buldging discs.My L-1 THROUGH MY L-5.Could it possibly be a buldging disc pressing on a nerve,or could it be something more serious?I would apprieciate if someone could shed some light on this.Thanks.