I would take your MRI films to another doctor for a second opinion.

If you are trying all the PT things and still pain isn't controlled , a good dr should help you. You may have to eventually go to a pain management dr but a caring dr would have recommended that.

I don't know if you keep a record or notes on what helps you pain wise and your daily pain levels {0-10 }

Maybe the dr wanted "official" PT with independent documentation???

There is a stigma and many drs are nervous about rxing meds without a proper record to back the reason for the rx up.