Hi, I had surgery on c4-7 in May 2010. My pain is worse before i had the surgery. I am in pain daily, bad headaches, numbness in fingers, swelling in between the shoulder and neck area. I take the meds but they don't seem to relieve the pain. I went back to the surgeon and he wanted me to try the cortisone shots again. I had one before thanksgiving and it made the pain worse, so I waited he wanted me try it again because he felt that it may take a couple before it helps. I had the second one after Christmas an News years weekend was in the ER with the worst headache i have ever had. My dr ordered a catscan of my neck and he told me that my neck had compressed and arthritis had set in and now he wants to refer me to pain management because he doesn't want to go back in because my neck was in really bad shape.He can't give me any answer on why I am having so much pain. Should I get a second opinion or just try pain management? I am so depressed and in pain I don't know what to do.