I never get epi. Way too afraid of side effects ! I don't think giving birth hurts that bad so luckily I can handle it . I'm so sorry your dealing with residual pain .
I tried to do it without it but I was very dehydrated going into labor and then the pain from contractions was making me thrown up constantly so I took the epidural. It didn't hurt or bother my back at all except for mild soreness to the touch for a day or two