Hi christina59-just an idea-I would go for a 2nd opinion re your pain options........

I have had six or seven different doctors inject me. Not all are equal. I am a good patient because I am so thin. Too fast, not hitting the spot, numbing out entire legs or having the personality of a potato. are the problems I have run into. In the doctors, not me. Suppose that means something to a shrink somewhere.
If there are other patients in the waiting room, ask opinions. Try other doctors. Find the right one, I did. It helps.

Yes,sometimes they work really well & sometimes not.Keep going back to the same drs to have the shot[unless you really don't like them!] & over time,if you talk to them,you may be able to sort out what works & what doesn't.
I used to think the shots were a quick fix-now I see them as a process.

My husband’s pain doctor told him that the steroid shots only work 50% of the time. So it’s basically a crap shoot. It might work. It might not. My husband has had four shots. Two worked and two didn’t.

Christina59-so sorry to hear that.....of course everyone is different & I am not a dr but-I myself have had a spinal fusion surgery & 2 total knee replacements-these worked to a certain degree but I was left with a lot of pain still-so I continue to have steroid[cortisone injections] & they DO help me.I did have to fight a bit to get them though-on the basis of having the surgery so aren't you ok now-blaming me for the pain!But now tis not a problem I just tell them when the pain is back & I get more "guided imagery" cortisone injections.My conditions are not cureable but they are treatable on an ongoing basis for the incureable pain.I had to find the right doctors to get this for me though otherwise I would still be suffering excruciating pain.You seem to be in real despair but I want you to know there is life & hope even after surgery..........xxxx