Equestrian2020, my pain doctor whom I saw 2 years ago was a former orthopedic surgeon. (We moved so he is not available to me now.) He told me this, "Don't have back surgery no matter what. All it takes is one slip of the knife and you'll be paralyzed." I didn't want to ask him if he had accidentally done this long ago, but I take that advice seriously. Now i can't take opioids any more (they are toxic to me for some reason now) and am on blood thinners, so I will try the things you have suggested. Glad you posted as I was unsure if I would try that. Now I won't.