Hi I am also thinking of ketamine. A few thoughts I agree that it is so hard to make treatment choices. We all differ so much. I think what I like about my last pain doc out of many is that he started at the least invasive and worked up. Now i have seen a couple pain docs who feel narcotics in the long term were not for me either. Like you said because it is chronic and actually your brain begins to process pain more. Again though I don't judge anyone for being on them here if it helps them. I was also suggested a scs but after 2 procedures that were less invasive that increased my pain level this was ruled out for the time being. I am not seeing are you on any meds like neurotnin etc? Also I had been suggested anti inflammatory meds. For me in a flare up this does not cut it but for some it may. I wish I had an answer for you and unfortunatly docs do take guesses at us. For me it is weighing the pros and cons and feeling comfortable with the doc. Hang in there and hold to hope. I always say it just takes 1 doc to look out of the box to make such a difference