I understand you discomfort, your frustration, and weariness. Dealing with daily pain is challenging, to say the least. I too have cervical disc disease, at multiple levels, along with multiple disorders including DDD, spondylosis with facet syndrome, spinal stenosis and scoliosis.
I have for over 20 years avoided surgical intervention.
Here's a few facts:
Anyone with a radiculopathy -- that is radiating pain from a compressed nerve -- should have a surgical consult. The simpler the spine disorder, the more likely are your chances of successful treatment outcome.
The C1 / C2 vertebra (called the atlas and axis) allow rotational motion of the head. Fusion of C1/C2 will severely restrict your ability to turn your head.
There are 6 cervical discs (C2-C3 to C7-T1) that allow flexion (forward bending) and extension (backward bending) of the neck.
In general, whenever you fuse three discs, you tend to loose 50% of your ability to look up and down.
When used together, all the discs and joints of the neck, C1/C2 for rotation along with the other 6 discs for flexion allow the twisting motion that gives you the ability to look over the shoulder.
Cervical fusion does not always reduce pain. The chance of positive outcome of cervical fusion reduces with the number of levels involved.
There are many, many studies of surgical outcomes for cervical disease. There is conflicting data on levels of efficacy or positive outcome of surgery, along with the chance of recurrent symptoms, including pain. In many, subsequent scarring from surgery can exacerbate pain.
In some cases, perhaps yours, surgery may be necessary to prevent multiplegia or save a nerve branch.
Surgery is a serious step. The temptation of trusting in this most intrusive and irreversible option to escape one's current misery is strong.
I've been answering people's questions online for over 15 years, and have read the reports of many hundreds of people like us who have chosen surgery and later regretted it. On the other hand, the many who have had successful surgeries usually do not come on a health website to complain.
I am not advising you one way or another as to whether or not to have surgery. What I do advise is that you learn as much as you can about your medical condition, and every treatment option. With each option, understand the benefits and the risks.
Do not be fooled by hand-waving physicians who minimize the risks of one or another treatment options. Ask for cold facts -- what percent chance do I have for improvement. What will my life be like if surgery fails?
Ask difficult, embarrassing questions. It's your spine, and you only get one in life.
Begin your education on informational sites like spineuniverse.com or spine-health.com.
And seek pain management. You have a right to medications that will help you manage your pain. Understand your rights and exercise them, but also understand the risks involved.
The informed patient gets the best care -- always.