Pain Manangement Therapy advice please.

[jolara]

Because I'm a mess, I don't know what to 'fix' first. I was recently diagnosed with C5-6 Cervical Degenerative Disk Disease, C3-4 Cervical Arthritis, C6-7 bulging disk in my neck and C3-4 Spondylitic disease. Therefore I have terrible neck and shoulder pain as well as a chronic headache that bands the lower back of my head from ear to ear. Aleve, Advil and Tylenol isn't helping with my pain nor my headaches. I was given Darvocet for pain relief but one doesn't help and if I take two, it makes me physically ill. So, I'm just 'dealing' with my pain for now. I am supposed to see a pain specialist next week to discuss my options and one of them is quite possibly a spinal epitural.
I am also undergoing treatment for a thyroid goiter/nodule (not sure which) and I am scheduled to see a surgeon Nov. 4th for an excisional biopsy (FNA- atypical, hypocellular, calcifications). I don't have a surgery date yet.
My question is, should I hold off if a spinal epidural is suggested for pain relief? I don't know if it will interfere with my upcoming thyroid surgery.
Any advice would be appreciated.

[jolara]

No, I didn't realize there were any special pillows. I've just been using a rolled up towel behind my neck and sleep with just that. My regular down pillow is just compounding my neck problems. Last night my neck pain was so bad I had my third ever in my lifetime migrane headache. The towel behind my neck and my pillow over my eyes and ears really helped get me to sleep.

[898]

Generally, the strong painkillers has to be discontinued 24 hours befrore surgery.
Have you tried special neck-supporting pillowfor cervical spine disorders?