my interest rate is 17.5% financed in 1999 (home). can i get my rate lowered if refinancing is not opinion?

Answer 1

No they won't reduce your current rate. Pay it off if you can't refinance. It has been 8 years your credit rating must have been awful so unless you did something wrong it should be much better now. Consider selling the house if the payments are too much the buyer will get a much lower rate.
If you won't or can't sell the house or refinance sell everything you have to pay down the mortgage. Get a HELOC they are about 8% and use that to pay down the first mortgage.

Answer 2

It never hurts to call your lender to request a lower rate. This goes for mortgages, loans, credit cards, etc. What's the worst they can say? No. So what? Your already paying the rate, it's not like they raise it for you asking them to lower it.
You stand a better chance of getting the rate reduced if you have good credit and have not been late with any payments in at least a year. The stronger your payment history, the better your chance of getting a rate reduction.
That all being said, refinancing is still your best option. There are a miriad of refi programs available with little to no closing costs involved. I would look into refinancing alot more before you give up on the idea, unless there is some other reason you can't refi.
Good Luck!!