I can so relate! Here is some practical things I have learned and help me cope while I too am waiting for all my appointments to come due. I have c4-5 and c5-6 fused already. C3 has ruined my life as well as c7. At 54 I had to take my retirement because I could no longer keep up with my job and I have no income of my own and my blessed wife is keeping up going until I can get fixed up and back to school as I can no longer do the kind of work I did before.

For pain, like you I hate the narcotics unless I am desparate so I use an ice pack over whatever locations are hurting or burning for about 15 or 20 minutes. It works fantastic to settle down spasms and pain. I also use moist heat. Ice does more for me in most cases. I use a Tens/Ems machine called a twin stim that insurance will pay for if ordered by your doctor or chiropractor if you have insurance. If you don't have much money they can be had used on Ebay real cheap. It is priceless for pain management and the EMS is another option on the machine for tight or spasmed muscles. This machine keeps me off the "crazy drugs" quite a bit as they make me act funny, have brain fog, and make me sick.

My wife runs a powerful massager on my neck and shoulder regions getting the blood flowing and loosing up muscles and it helps a lot. I excercise regularly and lift light weights for toning doing a lot of stretches. The Physical Therapist got my started on that so I won't hurt myself worse. This is extremely helpful and you feel so much better when you are done because the blood is really flowing to the sore areas. You will tighten up again, but it does help a lot.

I live near Pittsburgh, Pa. and we have a Dr. Jho at the Allegheny General Hospital, head of the Minimally Invasive Surgical department. Do yourself a favor and check out MIS procedures for cervical problems on Google and maybe you can find someone locally. Dr. Jho does take out of town patients. The Laser Spine Institute is another to check out. You are always going to hear good and bad about any doctor as no one is 100%. Get a minimum of 2 oppinions and try to see someone that does a procedure other than what is considered traditional as you want to know all that is available. Your surgeon will most likely not help you with this as it is money out of their pocket and it is rare someone puts your best interest first. You are going to have to do this. That is why it is so important to try to get at least comfortable enought to endure the waiting times for a few oppinions and not jump at the first person.

Find a "good" Pain clinic that knows a variety of different procedures. I had one clinic that hurt me worse than when I went in. Check around. I know it is hard especially when you are hurting, but it will pay in the long run. I made some mistakes the first time and am trying to do things different now. There are cutting edge options you might qualify for so at least try. THe Minimaly Invasive Procedures are generally outpatient which impressed me. I am checking out my doctors myself, listening to what others say, and keeping an open mind. No doctor is going to satisfy everyone so be careful how much you listen to other people that have had bad experiences. Follow your heart and if you feel comfortable with someone don't let someone with a grudge to bear affect your oppinion. Just weigh things out.

I hope I have given you some good practical ideas. I speak from experience and am very agressive at my own treatment as a few of my former doctors really let me down. Knowledge is your best friend, praying doesn't hurt either.

God bless, david