The CDC still recommends opioids for long-term chronic pain. I have that for a problem that can’t be fixed ALL of my doctors are supportive where I ditch them. About the nerve pain. I just spoke with my surgeon yesterday and we talked about this exact thing. It can take up to 10 years for nerves that are damaged to be remodeled or to be considered permanently a problem. I have some of those nerves that were squished in my L3 L4, L5, major nerve root for way too long because a neurosurgeon wouldn’t do surgery. When the nerves are damaged, they can cause inflammatory reactions. So if you can isolate the nerve branch in route, you can deal with the inflammation that causes the pain. If you can isolate and treat the inflammatory reaction, then you can get pain relief. In my case, it doesn’t last more than a month, but because there was nothing else anyone was willing to do. I started on a ramped up exercise program, and that has taken care of the unbearable pain. I ride my stationary bike and answer Mayo Clinic forum messages for an hour hour and a half every day, and it never gets dull.! What that did was amazing for my nerve damage which runs from my sacral joint to my hip to the outside of my knee to my shin to the top of my foot to my big toe on the left side, it’s all where the nerve was damaged when the disc fell completely out seven years ago, and my vertebrae grafted themselves together. When they did that, I actually had no pain, but the surgeon I saw, which is my prince wanted me to rush and do surgery for which I was ready after 20 years of unsuccessful stuff. It was amazing the relief I got except for it seems that my nerves on that side are damaged after seven years yet still. He increased an exercise now is handling that. I am so exhausted when I fall into bed that the pain doesn’t wake me up anymore and I can sleep through the night. The pain is also very minimal to nonexistent during the day. this morning it was foggy and drizzly here in San Diego and I was pretty miserable and I was up last night from all kinds of aches and pains, which are arthritis and inflammatory related. I know some days are gonna be bad and that’s that. I go to a great surgeon and I have a great team of doctors that I pick and choose carefully. I’ve gotten four opinions on the spine surgeon and so I met my true Prince and there I will stay. I go four times a year, maybe three or two depending on where I am in process but now that I’ve started this extensive gentle exercise routine. My report yesterday at the surgeon was absolutely glowing! There has been zero deterioration over the last three months when I started the exercise program before that there was slight deterioration every three months in the x-rays. @heyjoe415 discuss the miracles of physical exercise in this group and I apologize to him that I didn’t get back to his last message but I’ve been so busy with managing the 50 year reunion and doctors that I’ve had no time to respond much! Good luck!