Hi Peggy.....
My lower and middle back is pretty bad shape due to the years of severe dyskinesia. I have 3 ruptured discs and 2 bulging discs.....had a lamenectomy at L6 ing 2002 and one at L5 in 2003....the first one helped but the second one made the pain worse. I also have moderate to severe arthritis in my back.
I had sciatic nerve pain for about 6 months in which about all I did was crawl around the house in pain that I can not describe.
I too tried the injections into the spine but after experiencing one injection I never went back for the rest.
The pain has lessened in the past 3-4 years but I am in pain to some degree pretty much all the time. I can only stand for 10-15 minutes before my legs turn to jello and I have to sit down.