Adelaide , I truly understand your frustration, you are dealing with insurance and trap in budget instead on benefits for a relief.
My wc battle is almost same way as you are battling ,not approving treatments like ketamine and I feel ketamine is my last chance.
Honestly scs is so hard to handle and real frustrating when you expect one result and discover after two surgeries ,want actually cover my bone pain,now I'm relief in some part of nerve pain but rsd spreading and scs not covering all the areas a second unit is been recommended ,I wish I can have the freedom of choose what I want to try like the way you want as well, I got lay off and have no insurance ,depends only on wc, so only thing I can tell you try what you feel is good for you, sure you will feel you are trying the best way to get better.
I know many of our options are only medications ,nerve block, pt ,I felt all that ,tens units worked that's why i was thinking calmare was similar and might be better ,my dr never mentioned calmare or ketamine, went directly to scs, it was the right treatment but I wish I had something else before and try all the less invasive treatment before scs, scs is been so hard for me,not many people react same way to all the treatments, go ahead and try the best you can get,is your battle and we all battle pain in different ways.
Wish you the best ,please let me know about ketamine ,I'm wiling to even ask for loan and try it , I also want to go back to at least a little bit normal days and be able to work.
Best wishes and gentle hugs, Jesika .