I'm a lumbar rather than a cervical but I can relate to some of what you are saying, there is an element of a step back post surgery for some and it takes time to work out. For me it was wicked hip pain and some numbness on my left side thigh (same side as my incision). Time as physio have sorted this out.

As for meds I did everything through my primary care physician- and did percocet for breakthrough pain, tylenol 3 for regular pain and lyrica for a little rough patch I had. In your case I would keep clavel in the loop but obviously a US doc has to prescribe meds.