Not really sure I understand your question completely - the part about the Methadone is a little confusing to me but I might just be missing something...

So many people have had awful outcomes with the SCS that I don't think you missed anything at all there.

You didn't mention the Pain Pump as an option. Why not? Your doctor doesn't do them? Maybe you need to find one that does. Then you could come off the opiates without having withdrawals, and still be painfree. See Lostmary's posts and the new forum. The pain pump sounds like a viable option for many of us that have been sick for a while and have exhausted many of our other options.

Will your insurance company cover the cost of the 3 day ketamine infusions? It's worth a shot before you try the pain pump.

The RSDSA.org website has a wonderful database of articles on these issues.

Like I said above, I wouldn't waste too much time worrying about a missed opportunity with the SCS. After what I have read about them, I wouldn't ever want one - not only because I would be dealing with a rep from the company that sells them after the surgery, instead of a medical professional; when the medical professional that installed likely pocketed a huge kickback from the transaction (remember - I live in RI where this kind of stuff is routine). But also because the SCS can cause infections, leads move and need to be fixed over and over, movement is restricted for the rest of your life, RSD usually spreads from the surgery, etc. They are just very problematic.

Good luck to you.

XOXOX Sandy