@sbtheplumber1 I am sorry to read all of this. If you can afford to - see if you can go to UC Health (UCSD research hospital) orthopedic spine dept. Dr. Zlomislec told me he does other doctors failed fusions. He's AMAZING and so is their department! I recommend to not give up. He did my lumbar and my cervical fusions.
About your nerves: I had excited nerves from the cervical fusion was much more problematic for me. Yes, you can't have anything touch your skin for a while. I went to a very good MFR therapist. That resolved my issues with the nerves on fire. I also added HEME iron supplements and B12, which cured my neuropathy in my left leg. (lots of activity too - walking, stretching, self-massage). It can take 2 - 10 years for the nerves to remodel. If you are not an addictive personality type, I also recommend Percocet. I have a tailbone/arthritis that can't be helped. So the medication completely controls that nerve/arthritis pain. It took me 20 years to get to the right surgeon (and 4 different opinions the last 3 years before surgery). Keep plugging away if you can, on the days that you can!