Hi Zeppo ~I can totaly relate to the pain your experiencing ! Dealing with nerve pain beats you up and wears you down quickly. I reached a point years ago that I asked my surgeon to cut my leg off do to nerve pain.
I'm new to connect and haven't had a chance to fill out my profile. I am an RN dealing with chronic pain for over 12 years following a L knee replacement, fractured femur above implant, 2 revisions same knee, Surgery for Partial denervation of L knee and neuromas along my Saphenous nerve. All of this contributing to back and hip damage.
I Have severe compression of nerve root L2-L3-L4 -S1.

*This is the first question I responded to. When I read that you are already thinking about surgery I had to respond.
Surgery is the last resort !!!!!

There are many other options to try :
****I have used acupuncture , Physical therapy, orthopedic massage. K-Taping,
STRETCHING !!!!! (This is vital for any back issues and pain It is amazing when you can learn the trigers and signs of nerve pain especially from a pinched nerve ( ask your doctor or Physical Therapist before doing on your own) , Yoga, meditation, medications, TENs Unit ( Again ask your doctor or PT first ) and Medical Cannabis .
ALL HAVE HELPED.
***** THE TEN'S UNIT , when pads are placed in the correct position, I GET IMMEDIATE RELIEF FROM Back Pain that radiates to hips, left leg and knee.

I wonder if you had any relief from the epidural ? I had zero relief from bilateral epidural.
There are a number of different type injections and nerve blocks doctors use.

I have been for a number of consults. Now my spine specialist/ pain managemnet wants to do RAF to 8 nerve roots. I am still not sure and keep researching and asking questions.....

You can stop non surgical treatment options anytime without further damage. But once they cut, and it may come to that, there is no turnig back.

I hope you will find some of this advice helpful and try some to get even temporary relief so you can make choices with a clear mind and not just jump into surgery. What works for one doesn't for another. Research all the possible complications.

I empathize with you ... Hang in there !!!