Hi Justin!
Yes, I had herniated/bulging discs in my back. I had surgery in ‘08-laminectomy.
Last MRI I had was in ‘12 & it looked like I’d never had any surgery at all. Pity. Like last time, I won’t go under the knife till I’m unable to stand/walk.

I had 3 bulging discs, stenosis, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis, with resulting back pain and sciatica. I’m terrified of opioids, so I wouldn’t even try them. Nerve blocks didn’t do much. I had a procedure called “neural ablation “ where they burn the pain nerve endings in your back, and it worked like a miracle—literally— I went in hunched over like I was 102, and I actually bounded down the hall afterwards ( because I could). But it’s only temporary and began wearing off about 7-8 months later.
They’re always very hesitant to jump straight to surgery because it doesn’t work for everyone. But the fact that the nerve ablation worked was an indication that surgery would most likely work. So 17 months ago I had a laminectomy and fusion, L3-S1. Took about 9 months to fully recover, but the pain was almost immediately improved.
I’m all for pain management, but it seems to me that if there’s a structural defect, you’ll probably never be able to live your fullest life until that’s fixed.
I have a question: were you really hit by a car?
Ironically, one year and two days after getting out of the hospital for back surgery, after digging a trench in the back yard and then taking my dogs for a 4 mile hike (and still marveling at my full recovery) I was in an accident (did it myself—swerved and hit construction equipment in the highway median going 79 mph). I miraculously survived. The impact sheared the engine block in half and ripped the whole driver's side of the the car off like a can opener. I shattered my left arm and leg and the orbital bone under my left eye. I had to be airlifted to a trauma center, then had 7 operations over the next 2 weeks. BUT...my back was fine! I’m still recovering after 5 months. I’m going to be able to walk again eventually, although my leg is 2” shorter, and I can use my hand, but I’ll never be able to straighten my arm beyond about 40°. They repaired my eye socket and I can see pretty well except for a big fuzzy spot of scar on the cornea.
Why do I tell you this? Because, if I had to choose which of those life-changing medical events to go through again, I’d take the wreck over the back pain, no contest.
Best of luck and medical care to you!

I suggest topical as well. What I've recently accepted was a second Epidural injection. But it was L5 and Sacral 1 and 2. With only 1/2 of anesthesia I was able to feel the direct spots needed. A bit uncomfortable but have had relief since December. I refuse to give up. I'm still a functional Nurse. Difficult at times but I rest in-between. Sacral discs usually are the causes of pelvic, hip and leg pain. I once was against them but trust PT and Doc to help. Absolutely no fusing. Few years relief but more people are worse after. As for PT find one certified in dry needling and ASTEM. I lost over 40lbs and only bc I could walk without pain.
With chronic pain, the tissue growing on outside to protect bones becomes entangled rather than growing strait. This allowed me 3-4 years pain free 8n legs and reduced my Lyrica from 450mg to 100mg per day....major help with weight loss

Wow, sexy garden you have there. DC prices are nuts. I grow, formerly as a hobby, now as a need. Mine are cute little indoor ladies, though. We're not allowed to keep them outdoors.

I'm on and off with work, but actively looking. I worry I can't perform well but I need to, for both my sanity and finances.

oh, and no... I haven't gone so far as RSO. I've made my share of oils, but found that low-dosing with a vape seems to offer the most pain management/fewest side effects for daily use. If I'm having a rough day mentally I can switch to edibles or burnables to shut down my ability to have coherent thoughts, but I can't function like that and it's neither the most healthy nor psychologically safe solution.
Since my odds of getting better seem slim, instead of fretting about a cure, I've been trying to find some philosophy or mental model to get behind that would make baring the pain "worth it"

Hey Justin, Have you tried RSO, (Rick
Simpson Oil) ? It is a very strong pot concentrate. There are lot's of Youtube videos on RSO. I grow and make my own oil.
How are the pot prices in D.C.? Here in Oregon we have more supply than demand so competition is fierce . In the Eugene area we have 62 dispensaries for 200,000 people or so.
Do you still work? The last job I had was in the early 90's. I miss work especially when I see able bodied bums on the street . The gas stations here scramble just to find people to pump gas at $12 an hour.
We have major meth problems here. I have lost my compassion for people who pay money to become psychotic.

Just some ramblings of a grumpy old man at 3 in the morning.

Your friend in pain,

JamesJohn