@vtstu
Hi!
First, I took NSAIDs for my back, too and wound up with severe inflammation in my stomach. I can no longer take it.

I've had RFA a few times.
The last one I had, my pain doc insisted on giving me some sedation!
The RFA was being done (for the first time) in my cervical spine and he said it is more painful than the lumbar.
He was sooooo right!
That is the reason you need someone to drive you home, the sedation and pain.

I wish I could tell you that the RFA worked for me, but none of them have.
It was because my pain doc could not get my pain under control, that I finally decided on surgery.
I had cervical and lumbar surgery within 6 months of each other.
I am happy to tell you that I am no longer in pain!

I do not know how many docs or what 'kind' of docs you saw, or when you saw them, but if you are interested in surgery, you might want to research and get another opinion.

Good luck!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)