@nannybb I too am scratching my head. You should have confidence in your doctor's decision making ability even if you don't agree. Do you?

Nerve pain isn't fun. Nerve pain is part of my life. I have neuropathy from chemo primarily in my hands and feet. I also have had three cortisone shots in my lower back and two in my neck for nerve pain. I eventually had lower back surgery about 25 years ago to alleviate most of the nerve pain in my back, right hip, leg and foot, since the third cortisone shot didn't work. It can be a challenge to minimize. Like cancer, different things work for different people. Keep doing acupuncture if it is working. I know it is a tremendous help for others. If it stops working, try the cortisone shot. Four out of the five that I have had really helped. Keep moving forward the best that you can. That is all that we can ask of ourselves.