I'm with you on finding yourself suddenly in a new category of illness. I'd been content with peripheral neuropathy explaining my symptoms, and got to know a lot about neuropathy.

When I got spinal problems, I was suddenly on another planet. And since surgery in Feb, I've found there are few "experts" in the way we had when dealing with neuropathy. Fewer people who can say---these are the options, THIS is what to expect, THIS is who can help, THIS is how long this will take. It's a harder place to be.

Have you been on lyrica? It could help manage the pain so you can get more treatment.