I'm on the Tramadol too. As well as Meloxicam, Gabapentin, and a few different types of muscle relaxants.I get by unless it is one of those stops you breathing and break out in a sweat for a bit stabs of pain
They won't do my surgery until the spinal cord is jeopardized. C6-7 is real close. I'm just biding my time until I can retire. Then, it won't really matter that I can't turn my head.
And Robert, the constant pain (I've had it for about 18 years) really does have an affect on one's attitude. All we can do is keep trying.