Morphine is OK. Hydromorphone is better. Take a tablespoon a day for the constipation from morphine, it works better than most remedies.
I find for pain relief hydrocodone seems to work better than anything else that you can readily get a prescription for, it is better than oxycodone (I don't care what they say, hydro works better). They make the hydromrphone in a 24 hr time release dose now, it is called Exalgo. I doubt if your insurance will cover it though.
I cannot take the epidural injections, I break out for about 6 weeks with exzema, not worth the benefit. I've been on several time release meds, fentanyl patch and Avenza (time release morphine @ 90mg a day) nthing works better for me than vicoprofen. I still hurt but there is a balance between how much pain and how much side effects. There is a headache med that is a good all around pain reliever too, it is fioricet or cephadyn (fioricet has caffiene, cephadyn does not, both can make you a little grouchy because they are a barb with some APAP) but they work.
Good luck with pain, no one understands pain who does not live with it.
I have facet syndrome and bulging/degenerative disc disease, and spinal arthritis, Cervical and upper thoracic (T-1).. it SUQ.
BTW, you don't need an general anesthetic for an epidural. Most people get the anesthesia but I tried them without any and frankly all I felt was pressure...
J