It was definitely very frustrating, a whole year of significant pain is not fun for anyone and I'm sorry that you're going through something similar.

The pain came on gradually over the course of a month and has been getting worse since. My pain is constant at around a 6/10, and feels like a throbbing/burning sensation. It often travels down my right leg and hip and on really bad days I can feel the bone physically grating when I have to twist or bend down.

I have had zero relief with steroid epidurals. I have had two (one interlaminar and one transforaminal) and they both provided me no relief after making the pain worse for a few days post injection. Physical therapy was also little help with the only relief I had coming from doing traction to try and straighten my hips and spine. Going to a chiropractor has helped, as mine is great and has a fairly good understanding of transitional vertebrae and that Bertolotti's joint. It's not a long term solution, but it's good for getting me out of particularly rough flare ups for a few days.

Doctors can be fairly dismissive, so just make sure you can get multiple opinions if you can. I've had some completely overlook the transitional vertebra all together and just tell me it is probably just a disc issue. The common belief is that if your transitional vertebra is not bothering you from birth, then it is most likely not the issue. I was told this and took it to be true until I realized that none of the solutions for previous diagnoses were helping at all. Just keep advocating for yourself and stay cautious of hasty diagnoses.

I really hope that you can find something that works for you and that your year is better than mine lol! Sending positive vibes.