Is Surgery a foregone conclustion

[S_PATIENT]

Sorry if these seems like I'm rambling, but quite nervous, so I will try to make as much sense as I can:

(Posted earlier)

About 2 mos ago-
Woke up at night with severe left arm pain as well as pectoral & tricep muscle spasms. Went to PCP (who is a DO) diagnosed with cervicalgia.  X-ray showed c3-c4 disease (R>L).  Put on Prednisone & Vicoden ES.  
2 Weeks later no improvement - MRI ordered & oral prednisone & Vicodin ES refilled.  I experienced SOME relief while on prednisone however once prednisone completed severe pain returned.  Vicoden merely dulls the pain.

MRI shows:  
1. c3-c4 unconvertable joint degeneration, facet disease, posterior osteophyte complex.  Left foramina is normal, Right formaina severe narrowing (however I am experiencing NO RIGHT SIDE PAIN).  
2. C5-C6 Right eccentric disk buldge.
3. C6-C7 unconvertable joint degeneration, facet disease, posterior osteophyte complex. Moderate to Severe LEFT foramina narrowing.  Right foramina normal.

Waiting to see Neurosurgeon (referred by PCP but cannot get an appt for another 1 mos)

(NEW)
1 Week ago -
Experienced SHOCK like symptom in neck.  Experienced severe left leg weakness & numbness (unable to walk or lift leg).
I should have went to the ER but was stubborn or stupid - either way the symptoms gradually improved over an hour.  Now have no symptoms in legs, but continuous neck pain (feels like "bone pain & muscle pain")  as well as left arm pain (muscle/nerve pain) and some weakness and tingling sensation.

Is it possible that my symptoms can improve with conservative treatment (such as PT)  Is it possible that my condition can worsen and have peminent damage?  
IS SURGERY MY ONLY OPTION???

Again -- sorry for rambling and thank you all in advance for your considerate thoughtful responses

[S_PATIENT]

"Surgery is not your only option, you're in the drivers seat as far as this goes, all the Doctors can do is recommend"  - I think that is the mindset I need to keep when I meet with the Neurosurgeon.  If this was a guaranteed one & done OK but it seems like most people have multiple surgeries over the course of time - or at least the people posting on-line.

I am still in a fair amount of pain - some days are better than others.  I am taking 4 Vicodin ES a day (1 every 6 hours)  which helps.  It seems like when I skip a dose or two my pain level gets up to the point where it takes time to get it back under control -  I'm hoping to discuss other medical options like Neurontin and as you say - try PT or the injections first.

thanks for the support.

[Kalvin]

You seem to be extremely apprehensive about Surgery, I don't blame you, it can be such a gamble. When I read your post, I wondered if knew what I know now, would I still have had neck surgery back in 2005. And I'm kind of undecided, the surgery did help some, however I'm still in a great deal of pain and now I have to have another level fused. Its like once you get started with this surgery business, you can't turn back. At this point I'll take any amount of pain reduction I can get.

Had I not had such unrealistic expectations of the procedure, (perpetuated by my Surgeon) it would have been much easier to deal with when at a point, it became apparent I was not going to get any better. Had they been straight with me, I probably would've had the surgery anyway.

Surgery is not your only option, you're in the drivers seat as far as this goes, all the Doctors can do is recommend. Try the injections and look for a Physical Therapist that has a lot of experience with the C-spine. Its possible that you could get worse, but you still have ample time to explore conservative remedy's. I have permanent numbness in a few of my fingers, but not because I delayed having surgery, it's just that the nerve was pinched pretty badly.

Aside from neurological concerns, your pain level is really what will dictate whether or not to have surgery. If its unbearable and is totally disrupting your life, then you might want to seriously consider it. Are you still having a lot stabbing / electric pain in your neck and arm?  That leg thing sounds scary. Have you had an increase in your pain meds, how much are taking?