I have had C567, fusion in March 2018, and Fusion L45,S1, Aug. 2018. Pain has shifted from hips down both legs and feet. To muscle pain in hips and nerve pain inleft calf to toes. Neck is healing well. I have a bone stimulator for Lumbar. Meds. dont help with pain. Gabepatin 600mg 3 times a day, tylenol, flexril. Over doing increases pain.

Your symptoms sound familiar, especially for medications. It takes 6 months to get the first results on how the bone is regrowing. If you have osteoporosis it will take longer to see the best results. I had thoracic fusion in April because I fell and fractured the T10. Hope you were offered a bone stimulator. The more you strain your neck the more pain you will experience. Meds that prevent nerve pain have the side effects you mention.

It seems to be normal for drs not to tell you what to expect unless you ask specific questions. Which vertebra were fused?

I had a C Fusion C4/5 & C5/6 due to Myelopathy caused by Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament flattening my spinal cord. After the surgery I had tingling and numbness in my right hand in the area between my thumb and 1st finger, and weakness in my left triceps making lifting my arm above my head difficult. It is still there 14 yrs later but is much improved. I had severe shoulder/neck pain for a few months after the surgery, but PT with a very experienced Physical Therapist helped a lot.
I also did exercises in a warm therapy pool. I have not wanted any more spine surgery since, even though L5/S1 is bone on bone with Demyelination.