advice please on what's next

[boots460]

Hello all - I'm new and looking for some advice.  I have had neck and shoulder pain for many years, but it has only been recently that I have gone to an orthopedic doctor to get treatment.  I have cervical spondylosis (pretty advanced for my age) and radiculopathy.  Otherwise I'm in good health.
C4, C5.  I have been through physical therapy, steroid injections, nsaids (several different ones), all of this helps a little bit, and my range of motion stays fairly good as long as I exercise EVERY DAY.  The doctor talked about surgery, but I am not willing to go that direction at this point.  I work 50 - 60 hour weeks, and although I may be able to cut back on that some, I am far from retirement and I can't, nor do I want to stop working.  

My last trip to the doctor he prescribed a anti-seizure med.  i took it for a week and had a severe headache the entire time.  I called the office to report the side effect and said I was stopping it and what should I do next.  The nurse said I would get a call back, but never did.  I called a week later, and again, no return call.  I recently had a real flare up  (extreme pain, spasms, twisted like a pretzel) while out of town on business, called when I got back, and again never received a call back.  I currently don't have another appointment with this doctor for a couple of months.  I called to try to get an appointment sooner, but it would be at least three weeks before I can get in.  I would rather not switch doctors because I don't want to have to start over.

Any advice?  What should be the next step in dealing with this?  Thanks in advance!

[DeeDeeQ]

Definitely good to vent! We all need to do it once in a while. Be honest with your doc, I know they can be infuriating and unsympathetic but they do know their stuff generally. As a stop gap, consider some memory foam pillows which will support your neck during sleep. This could really relieve the pressure on you. Dont change doctors though, you're pot committed now so se it through. Good luck

[boots460]

thanks for the advice!  I called and insisted on an appointment and have one at 7:30 tomorrow morning. This is after I got a call from the pharmacy telling me the office had called in a prescription for another nsaid that I have taken before and gave me stomach problems.  i know it says this on my chart, because I filled it in!  Anyway - I'm going to be as clear as I possibly can with the Doctor about not going the surgery direction at this point, and ask if they will recommend another doctor to help deal with the pain, stiffness, and keeping me functional.  I'm actually really mad today, because again, I woke up not being able to move and have an extremely full day at work.  Everyone tells me I look awful, and asks "what's the matter"?  I am not in a situation to say "Oh, I just can't move my head, nor lift my arms, or sit in a chair for more than 15 minutes...."  good grief!
Thanks for letting me vent!!!

[Austex]

This can happen with orthopedic because of the amount of people they deal with and the dr is usually only in that office two time a week. I have one in okc and I have never got a call back. So I use him just for planing surgery and new issues and look over my mri s . I had them send me to a pain management dr to take care of all my meds that what they are there for if its a pain that you have most of the time or everyday that where you need to be anyways. Hope this helps a little keep us posted.