I’m sorry to hear that your medial branch blocks were not effective. Where I go for pain management, it doesn’t even have to be six hours that you get relief. They just want a period of pain relief and for me to qualify that I did have pain relief. But you have to go by your pain management clinic standards. It might be worth it to try the next set of blocks to see if it works. I just had epidural and epidural worked some but not as well as the last epidural on the other side of my back. We are all looking for resolution for the pain that we live with. Sometimes it takes finding the right thing or the right combination of things. I have been out of work for five weeks and going back. At this point in my life I have just learned that I have to live with a certain amount of pain. But I’m not giving up. There’s still more to try. I believe you were going to go away. I hope that your pain does not overshadow the time you are away. Sometimes taking our mind off of it, and trying to enjoy ourselves, takes away a little of the pain. Try to have a good time and when you get back you can resume your battle with your pain. Best wishes & safe travel.