Balmygirl,
If you only have one level and one bulging disc...You might only need to have surgery at one level...I have three levels fused, though I have problems from C2 to T2...I am fused at C4/5, 5/6, and 6/7...I have a 360 fusion or an around the world

...This simply means that I have hardware in the front and the back of the neck....I have a plate in the front and rods and screws in the back...If I had needed to just have the front of the neck fused I think I would not have had much pain with this fusion....but I will not lie the posterior surgery is very, very painful and is for about six weeks...I have no regrets though about my surgery, though I now need more surgery...
I do not think at this point that pain medication will help you with the type of pain you are experiencing....I think you need to see a surgeon and discuss possible surgery with him.....Good luck...