Is Fusing C2 Through C6 The Only Way To Stop The Pain Due To Cervical Spinal Degeneration?

I am 57 years old and have sinificant cervical spinal degenerative disease-my neurosurgeon said the only way to stop my pain was to fuse C-2 through C-6. I am not ready to go that route, yet, so I ve been manageing the pain with butrans patch 10mcg and Diclofenac 75 mg bid, along with Cymbalta 60 mg and skelaxon 800 mg tid for muscle spasms. My last CMP showed a bump in both my renal and liver panels, so my PCP advised me to stop the Diclofenac, which I have done. The problem is, now my pain is about 7/10 and I work full time as a nurse. Any suggestions as to pain meds that I can function mentally while taking?