How frustrating for all that to have happened.

[Dr. blamed pain on degenerative disc disease ]
Does he have DDD, or was the Dr just passing the blame on that as an excuse...?

We have many forums where nerve pain & meds are mentioned and we also have a Medications & Treatments forum
For discussion about medications and treatments for any disease or health condition, including issues of medication toxicity.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum72.html

and also a Sub-Forum: SCS & Pain Pumps
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum118.html

If there is nothing more surgery wise that can be done, perhaps a SCS or pain pump would be something to look into.

There is the search link in my siggy too.