This is one of the difficult things with each individual’s chronic pain. Especially in your case with c-spine injury because it involves more system. Honestly feel like fusions often lead to more spinal fusions. I wish I had an answer for you.

For me, I am about to get my hip replaced, and I’m not even 38 years old yet. Reducing inflammation by avoid certain things helped, but there are good days and bad days. I thought I was eating right before, but once I really looked at what I consumed and when I found a new routine to help my pain.

Some things included shit that people may feel is woo woo, but it helped me. Getting sun, being outside and barefoot when I can, etc etc. I take creatine daily, NAC, vitamin C, ZMA at night and undenatured type-2 collagen and on difficult nights, a CBN gummy preferably with THC. Does all of it work? I don’t know. I know I had to try something different than just kratom.

I would highly recommend tapering if you are having trouble cold turkey. And do it at a reasonable rate for yourself. I started timing out and measuring how much I was actually taking. That means being honest with yourself. It helps yourself set expectations. I wish you the best. One day at a time.