Thanks for the response. You have obviously been through quite a lot and your post about your experience is quite helpful. These "Pain" doctors are appropriately named. Mine recommended steroids also, along with ibuprofen. Took six weeks to schedule the second implant. In the meantime, I developed "drug-induced colitis" from the pain killers. So I agree 100% that Doctors not specifically trained on the spine should not be anywhere near the spine. And any doctor that recommends ibuprofen or other NSAIDs without knowing the severe and well documented side effects shouldn't be in practice.

Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.