Hello Kaater: I don't know that I have much to offer with regard to this either. It sounds as though your circumstances are extreme. I have a ruptured disc in my low back. It impinges on the Sciatic Nerve. So I have pain down my left leg, & also partway down my right leg. The toes on my right foot are also numb. I don't take any medication for it. I am on 120 mg. / day of the generic variety of Cymbalta. It's prescribed for my depression. But I think it also helps with regard to my chronic pain.

I have ongoing low back problems & I re-strain those muscles periodically. When I'm able to, I do some simple & gentle yoga / stretching exercises. But actually, for me, the thing that has helped the most over the years has been walking. We have a small dog. He & I walk twice a day everyday & have done so for as long as we've had him... about 8 years. We go rain or shine, wind, snow, whatever. I'm in my mid 60's & I have little doubt it's helping to keep me going as well as I am.

Other things that come to mind are finding a good pain management / rehabilitation physician / center, if you don't already have one. Also, have you ever looked into one of these pain management devices that you wear. I thinks it's referred to as a TENS unit?

I don't know where you live. Here in Minnesota we have a program called: "Courage Center". They work with people who have physical disabilities to help them to become more independent. I don't have any personal experience with them. But they have a marvelous reputation. I'm sure they're not the only program of their type in the world.

Best wishes...