this is great information, i appreciate all the posts. I am 2 years out from cervical fusion surgery and continue to have chronic pain. stopped going to otho surgeon as we provided no help or insight and went to neurologist who prescribed Nuerontin...been on it for 6 months w/no noticeable improvement. I asked him for hydro b/c of continuing pain and he says he will put me on topamin (topomax). Guess he is nervous about narcotics. But i am not confident that topamin is the way to go. Need help, that is for sure. thanks.