cervical herniated discs, osteoarthritis, a tad of stenosis

Hello -- Somewhere in the midst of all my neck/shoulder treatments and procedures, I signed up at your great website. However, being very aware my condition was not as severe than many of the dear people who write here......I didn't feel I should write. BUT, now that I'm into my 3rd year of dealing with treatments and procedures to help me with my cervical herniated discs, osteoarthritis, a tad of stenosis, lots of pinched nerves --- all of which bring about hard long pain flares (10+days or more) that feel as if someone has taken a baseball bat and slammed it against the nape of my neck at times .......... I am anxious to hear if anyone has any other suggestions or ideas than what has been suggested for me. I have tried each of the following: PT, 2 sets of 12 sessions -- brought on more pain than relief ; massage (brought about residual pain); traction (more residual pain); acupuncture (a whisper of help); cortisone shots (series of 3 within 6 months....done with florescope to 'hit' exact spots of joints, nerves, etc) -- two weeks of relief on each; radio frequency ablation (brought about 3 months of relief); prednisone pack -- temporary relief; NSAIDs do work but now they upset the hiatal hernia and I need to stop using them. I'm trying an NSAID customized salve, which would probably work if it didn't have to be rubbed into the skin. I have been ruled out as a migraine sufferer (pain in wrong place, no aura) -- and I've been blood tested for any rheumatoid problems....all came out normal.

I am told (by 3 surgeons; 2 orthopedic, 1 neurosurgeon) I am not a candidate for surgery. Evidentally my herniated discs are 'not bad enough' -- but they do not wish to do 4 at a time and doing only one disc could ruin the integrity of the other 3.

I have had excellent care with my Pain Specialist's clinic --- but I feel their 'tools' are coming to an end. They are not giving up on me...thank goodness............ and will try more cortisone and another ablation soon at a different section of my cervical joints.

Any comments, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated. There is more to the pain story -- but this surely is enough to try digest at first writing........ My only answer at this point is to take percocet when the pain is ultra high --- and deal with tramadol with maxalt when it is within Levels 4 - 6.

thanks, judy2 -- for your welcome and your comments... perhaps i'm having trouble 'accepting' my pain as a lifelong experience.........as i keep working with all the treatments offered to me. but, for now, the clinic i work with doesn't seem to ever run out of ideas to try for me........so, it feel it is my job to accept each treatment with positiveness and hope...... they also seem to be willing to listen to ideas i find as potential ideas .... and so 'new thoughts' seem to be welcome .......

without recommending or giving advice, i know people here can talk about what they have had done -- and explain how it worked for them....... i hope to do the same, and learn a lot.

i had never heard of this NSAID cream/salve recommended for me, as an example -- and if other arthritic pain sufferers have not heard of it and desire to discuss it with their doctor, etc. it might work for them.

thanks again for the nice welcome