Latest update: A setback due to meds prescribed. Seems like the pain medication and the steroids don’t blend well for me. I haven’t slept now for nearly two days due to the effects of the steroids. Now I know what they mean when people talk about being “steroid crazy”. These things cause a lot of anxiety, irrational fears and loss of sleep. I am experiencing all of these. Now we have to try a different anti-inflammatory agent to keep the swelling in my neck under control. Swallowing has gotten difficult again because they took me off the steroids and pain meds for now. Strangely, the actual incision point has no related pain at all. I am learning spinal fusion of any kind is a tricky business. Daily my numbness and tingling comes and goes and seems to be still present. Day by day folks!