@mamawnebel Hello there. I'm sorry you are in such back pain. What a terrible place to be when all you're asking for is relief. I understand because I've been there....opiates, nerve blocks, ablations, muscle relaxers.

Recently, my Dad, who is 74 and experiencing terrible back pain from a fall, went to the ER and was prescribed a narcotic. He does not like taking narcotics but did for two days, and was knocked out and out of his misery. On day three he said I cant take them anymore. This has been the same story over and over for my Dad. Its sad because, I agree that chronic pain is absolutely miserable, but once all fixes and repairs are done, its about managing pain ,symptoms and discomfort.

Specialists have a lane and typically are not helpful in long term management outside of pills and needles. Of course the ER always remains available as you mention , but that just continues to repeat the cycle of temporary relief and no real gain.

May I ask if you have ever considered a comprehensive pain management program such as Mayo Clinic's Pain Rehabilitation Center, or looked into alternate methods of management through lifestyle changes?