"Painful experience of hoplessness"

I am a 42 year old woman who for the last year has been suffering lumbar back pain. After having my problem diagnosed I have been told they will not operate until I have been through four spinal epidurals within a year. I had my first set of injections on the 22nd of Feb 2014 which really helped . But unfortunately these injections only lasted six weeks. So back I go only to be told there is no foreseeable date for the next set of injections as there is only one doctor who can administer these injections. Mean while back in my world I have been left with no other avenue to consider. I am in so much pain , the pain killers are not working I had to end my contract at work due to this problem with my back . Today I go back to see a different team and if I'm honest I'm dreading it . Surely this is not how one should feel when visiting their local hospital. My quality of life is non-existent and I have been left feeling rather hopeless and powerless. I do not feel involved with any of the decisions regarding treatment paths for my back I don't no how much more I can take pain wise and the operation that would help me has not once been considered. I must stress that I do not want an unnecessary op but also cannot face the long wait between injections . If anyone has had a similar story then please share because I feel very much on my own , but doubt that is reality .