momchesney, do you know if the original cause was viral or bacterial. Some develop chronic nerve pain, if there is nerve damage. You may have had subsequent or consequent damage to the disc or vertebra. And there may be remedy for the pain. You might ask for an MRI of the area to determine what can be done to resolve the pain. I hope it can be resolved. Three years of suffering is too long. I'd suggest that you don't wait for the MRI.