I had a triple level fusion with titanium plate 3 years ago. My Surgeon told me prior to the surgery that some of the post side effects which can be permanent are swallowing issues (I have the same as everyone mentions here) and I also have problems ocassionally when eating and it feels as though food gets stuck going down my esophagus which is more painful than a choking sensation. I just feel these are all side effects I'm going to have to live with.
Ok now im worried I had surgery on my neck 7 weeks ago .. fused 3 and caged ... I cannot hardly eat anything that choking feeling and lump thingy is my problem also was told 2 weeks it would let up well been 7 weeks now and its worse then earlier I choke on my pills .. Lost my singing voice kinda like a dead chicken on high notes voice is raspy off and on ... This is horrible throat wise i can handle the neck part ( slow healing ) But this throat is another story If i had known this I wouldnt have done this I get so scared when i choke that i dont want to eat now good grief what are we to do live with this now ?? anyone know how long this lasts the lump in the throat feeling and choking ? Man I do not like this at all .... NEVER again !!!!!!!!
hello all
day 4 after c5c6 discetomy fusion with plating. i feel pretty good :-) have the lump in the throat inscision is sore, muscle supporting collar hurt. yesterday i thought i was having a heart attack chest muscles hurt so much. just taking one 5/500 vicodin every 4 hours today so im better.
i was so afraid of this surgery but my arm pain is almost gone pain between scapula and spine gone the dang pinch that lived under my right scapula for 3 years is gone! im drinking hot honey water to take pills and sooth the throat voice is good no hoarseness. im a smoker i know bad im stuck in collar for 6 weeks will get bone stimulator on the 22nd.
i cant take my collar off except for inscion cleaning
anywho wishing you all the best am gonna be very careful dont wanna undo or have to redo this!
what causes the belching? taking pepcid and still have burps that seems to come from halfway up the esphogus?
day 4 after c5c6 discetomy fusion with plating. i feel pretty good :-) have the lump in the throat inscision is sore, muscle supporting collar hurt. yesterday i thought i was having a heart attack chest muscles hurt so much. just taking one 5/500 vicodin every 4 hours today so im better.
i was so afraid of this surgery but my arm pain is almost gone pain between scapula and spine gone the dang pinch that lived under my right scapula for 3 years is gone! im drinking hot honey water to take pills and sooth the throat voice is good no hoarseness. im a smoker i know bad im stuck in collar for 6 weeks will get bone stimulator on the 22nd.
i cant take my collar off except for inscion cleaning
anywho wishing you all the best am gonna be very careful dont wanna undo or have to redo this!
what causes the belching? taking pepcid and still have burps that seems to come from halfway up the esphogus?
I had the severe belching after my ACDF also. I was told it was because they move your esphogus out of the way to do the surgery and it just messes things up.
I had severe gas pains and belching for about 1-2 wks after. Still 2 1/2yrs later I experience some problems that I never had prioe to surgery but they definitely aren't as bad as they were.
Best of luck for a speedy recovery...I've had several surgeries in my life but this was definitely the worst!
I had severe gas pains and belching for about 1-2 wks after. Still 2 1/2yrs later I experience some problems that I never had prioe to surgery but they definitely aren't as bad as they were.
Best of luck for a speedy recovery...I've had several surgeries in my life but this was definitely the worst!
I am 8 days post Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion of c6 - c7.
Presurgery:
Events as they unfolded.
Started on a Thursday.
On Monday was diagnosed with muscle spasms.
Wednsday seen a Orthopedic.
Friday had MRI.
Wednsday seen a Neorosurgeon.
10 days later had surgery.
It kept getting worse, when the doctor went in it had already started pushing into my spinal cord.
Post Surgery:
1. The pain in my scapula and most of the pain in my arm is gone. I still have tingling and numbness in my fingers.
2. I am taking vicodin every 4-6 hours, oxycodin every 12 hours, a muscle relaxer (prn), and antibiotic. I took the muscle relaaxer 2 times since, and only a few of the vicodin. I still take the oxycodin.
3. Only going to be off work 2 weeks. No physical work (good thing)
4. I can eat solids foods fine, but still having trouble swollowing liquids.
So far so good. I am so relieved the pain is gone. I thought I was going to die it hurt so bad before the surgery
Good luck to all! :-)
Presurgery:
Events as they unfolded.
Started on a Thursday.
On Monday was diagnosed with muscle spasms.
Wednsday seen a Orthopedic.
Friday had MRI.
Wednsday seen a Neorosurgeon.
10 days later had surgery.
It kept getting worse, when the doctor went in it had already started pushing into my spinal cord.
Post Surgery:
1. The pain in my scapula and most of the pain in my arm is gone. I still have tingling and numbness in my fingers.
2. I am taking vicodin every 4-6 hours, oxycodin every 12 hours, a muscle relaxer (prn), and antibiotic. I took the muscle relaaxer 2 times since, and only a few of the vicodin. I still take the oxycodin.
3. Only going to be off work 2 weeks. No physical work (good thing)
4. I can eat solids foods fine, but still having trouble swollowing liquids.
So far so good. I am so relieved the pain is gone. I thought I was going to die it hurt so bad before the surgery
Good luck to all! :-)
I was unable to swallow for a week after by C5-6 fusion. I was on an IV for liquids and drooled into a cup. For several years after I would occassionally choke - sometimes on food, but often simply on saliva. When this first happened I would inhale a deep breath and try to cough; but that only worsened the situation. Basically I was inhaling the obstruction further into my lungs. I would be unable to breath - very scarey. Finally I learned to take a tiney, tiney breath and immediately cough and exhale. By repeating this several times I could clear without trauma.
As the years have gone by, I've apparently learned to deal with it, because I haven't choked for a long time now. I still get on occluded and phegmy with ice cream and such, but it's not a problem to deal with.
Unfortunately my neck is still grinding away - sounds like gravel. I had an operation subsequent to the fusion to carve away spurs on 6 and 7, which helped; but now I new 3 and 4 done. Not looking forward to it, but it is way less debilitating than fusion.
Good luck, all.
As the years have gone by, I've apparently learned to deal with it, because I haven't choked for a long time now. I still get on occluded and phegmy with ice cream and such, but it's not a problem to deal with.
Unfortunately my neck is still grinding away - sounds like gravel. I had an operation subsequent to the fusion to carve away spurs on 6 and 7, which helped; but now I new 3 and 4 done. Not looking forward to it, but it is way less debilitating than fusion.
Good luck, all.
I had a C5-6 fusion June of 2003 graft and plate, had spurs removed and until and up to this date have had problems swallowing, coughing and out of no where choking. Now in 2008 I finally have gotten up the nerve to go back to the surgen because I can no longer stand the pain in my left upper part of the chest by the shoulder, the pain in the arm and the pain in the fingers of the left hand.I cannot wait to see what the say, the last time I told anybody re my shoulder Dr. I ended up having major shoulder surgery with no change in my pain after 1 year. Has any one else have arm,hand,elbow and finger pain. Please let me know,have appointment to see ortho Dr. soon, dont think it will be good news.
Had C5-6 surgery in Sept 2005.
Have all of the neck, shoulder, arm, hand pain and muscle spasms that you do. In the last 6 months or so I have started developing the same pain on my left side ( my right side has always been my major problem).
I have been through tons of test, physical therapy, medicines, etc. The test show nothing is wrong. The medicines I cannot seem to take.
At this point I have been diagnosed with RSD-reflex symathetic dystrophy, Fibromyalgia, mild carpel tunnel, Vit D deffiency.
Nothing has helped me.....
Please let me know what your ortho says.
Have all of the neck, shoulder, arm, hand pain and muscle spasms that you do. In the last 6 months or so I have started developing the same pain on my left side ( my right side has always been my major problem).
I have been through tons of test, physical therapy, medicines, etc. The test show nothing is wrong. The medicines I cannot seem to take.
At this point I have been diagnosed with RSD-reflex symathetic dystrophy, Fibromyalgia, mild carpel tunnel, Vit D deffiency.
Nothing has helped me.....
Please let me know what your ortho says.
and I also am having the choking problem, moreso now than immediately post surgery. I am today exactly two weeks out... and the choking/lump in the throat feeling seems to get worse every day. I have been drinking with a straw, but only short sips. Popsicles help.
Most of my pain is gone except for some pain at the incision site and now my neck is stiff/painful (whereas before my pain was shooting down my arm to my hand). My hand is still tingling and numb. I'm hoping that gets better. My disc herniated and pushed two sharp bone fragments out into the spinal canal damaging the nerves there. Right now I just hope those eventually heal.
Any tips on helping with the choking are much appreciated.
I also was given Ultram, Darvocet, Naproxen (I had a PEAK insert? rather than bone graft or donor bone), and Methocarbamol (muscle relaxant).
Most of my pain is gone except for some pain at the incision site and now my neck is stiff/painful (whereas before my pain was shooting down my arm to my hand). My hand is still tingling and numb. I'm hoping that gets better. My disc herniated and pushed two sharp bone fragments out into the spinal canal damaging the nerves there. Right now I just hope those eventually heal.
Any tips on helping with the choking are much appreciated.
I also was given Ultram, Darvocet, Naproxen (I had a PEAK insert? rather than bone graft or donor bone), and Methocarbamol (muscle relaxant).
I also had ACDF c5-6 and was given ultram and I also am having the choking problem, moreso now than immediately post surgery. I am today exactly two weeks out... and the choking/lump in the throat feeling seems to get worse every day. I have been drinking with a straw, but only short sips. Popsicles help.
Most of my pain is gone except for some pain at the incision site and now my neck is stiff/painful (whereas before my pain was shooting down my arm to my hand). My hand is still tingling and numb. I'm hoping that gets better. My disc herniated and pushed two sharp bone fragments out into the spinal canal damaging the nerves there. Right now I just hope those eventually heal.
Any tips on helping with the choking are much appreciated.
I also was given Ultram, Darvocet, Naproxen (I had a PEAK insert? rather than bone graft or donor bone), and Methocarbamol (muscle relaxant).
Most of my pain is gone except for some pain at the incision site and now my neck is stiff/painful (whereas before my pain was shooting down my arm to my hand). My hand is still tingling and numb. I'm hoping that gets better. My disc herniated and pushed two sharp bone fragments out into the spinal canal damaging the nerves there. Right now I just hope those eventually heal.
Any tips on helping with the choking are much appreciated.
I also was given Ultram, Darvocet, Naproxen (I had a PEAK insert? rather than bone graft or donor bone), and Methocarbamol (muscle relaxant).
I had the most amazing result from spinal fusion. In 2003 I had C3-C4 fused using a titanium cage and bone marrow taken from my hip. At that time we knoew I would needa second surgery but we were waiting for technology to advance fo a better result. (I was only37) After years od excrutiating pain I had levels C-4 thru C7 fused using newer cages and bone marrow from the other hip. 5 weeks after surgery I was feeling great and had no restrictions!!!! No more pain!!! It is now 8 weeks post surgery and I feel great!!! I credit this all to my amazing surgeon Dr. M. Darryl Antonacci. Not only is he an extremely skilled surgeon, he has an amazing bed side manner. He saved my life in 2003 and gave me back my life in 2008.
I've had choking for 2 yrs now along with all the neck pain having surgery next month resulting from a car accident . I've always had a problem with the choking on food if you straighten your back up it will help when you choke I'm just hoping this surgery will help me. I dont stay in alinement which cases me great pain. Have to see a chiroprator every 6 days.....................
Hello my name is Deborah,
Wondered if anyone can help me with a very long story.
Five months ago I started to get a pain in my left arm that would wake me up in my sleep.
After seven weeks of taking normal pain killers, they stopped working.I went to my local A and E. I saw a doctor whoTmoved my arm in a circle once told me I had a shoulder indury and gave me more pain killers.told me to do exercise. They couldn't be bothered even though I was the only person in the waiting room.
I went on holiday for two weeks. After one week I ended up being taken to hospital the pain was so bad. Electrical, pins and kneedles unexplainable. the pain would be worse when I sat up or walked. Some times lying down would ease the pain slightly.The doctor sent me away with yet more pain killers.
I found two lumps under my arm.So when I got home they told me to go straight for an ultra scan.My doctor actually said we think you have lymphoma.Which my Mum actually has. I went to hospital they scanned and said they dont know why they are there but they look normal.what ever that means.!!!!!!
After trips time and time again back to the doctors for stronger pain killers I was given gabapentin on the highest dose possible but it never relieved the pain but made me feel like a zombie I could not sit forward or even walk for two weeks.So the doctor prescribed morphine to be taken as needed, which I was taking every two hours for one week.
I started to get pressure on my wind pipe that would worsen if I laid down by this time I was feeling very upset and anxious. so I put it down to globus (caused by stress). By this time I had also lost two stone in weight.
After seeing a neuro-surgeon. I was admitted into hospital. I had an MRI scan that did show degeneration of c6 and c7.A clear CT and another clear MRI.I also had a nerve study done and that was fine. But my arm was so bad even a bedsheet touching it would be terrible.I could feel it was the nerves but they said no.
After I had a lumbar punch I started having problems swallowing?I told the doctors on nine separated occasions but they just ignored me
I didnt feel safe in the hospital as they had given me an over dose of morphine ,condeine and three other drugs which made by blood pressure shoot up and sent me into seizures and sickness .I then had another one in my sleep which they tried to tell me were panick attacks, until I made them aware that I have absences which are unexplainable which I see a neurologist for
I would also be left in the bed crying in agony because they would take their time getting the morphine and codeine. After two weeks in hospital and no explainations. My arm pain did feel a little better, the swallowing was so bad I could not sleep.I asked time and time again if somebody would examine my throat I was just ignored. I looked on the internet and it said that opieds such as morphine and codeine can give you swallowing problems. I asked, they just looked at me as though I was stupid. So I decided to refuse to take either until I was examined .As soon as I said that my arm pain was bearable they couldn't release me quick enough. As they had no answers.
Went home and spent a sleepless night with the chronic arm pain having returned,also the tightness in my chest and trouble swallowing that was so bad I even had difficulty with my own saliva my body hurt as if I had flu I just could not lay and get comfortable.It was just unbearable.I couldnt take any more. I was taken to hospital again by ambulance.
I was in A and E for two days.Waited twenty four hours to see a doctor explained I couldnt sleep.He said it looks like you will not be sleeping again tonight nothing I can do.My neuro surgeon was made aware I had been taken back in.He didn't even come to see me.The neurologist came to see me,said some of my scans need further investigation also waiting for more test results,then made me aware ther could be a problem with my thiroid. He was prepared for me to go home after being given yet more pain killers. I would not leave untill my throat had been examined properly. They then sent someone from E N T to look at my throat. A doctor had already told me that I had a lump in my thiroid.told me that I had a large lump and swelling on my right side of my neck.I was a little relieved as I thought I was going mad. I knew that there was something getting worse in my throat. When the E N T man looked at me he held the lump in his hand said there was nothing there. I could not believe my ears. He said I have a cyst in my thioid. Also that the swallowing action was paralised because of the same problem I had with my arm.But no explanation.He would book me a barium swallow as an emergency.
I came out of hospital that night. feeling worse that when I went in over two weeks ago. Nobody has told me anything. My arm pain is severe.My throat is worse. I havent been out in months and have now lost over two stone even though I have a very good appetite.I cant walk for longer than two mins with out the arm pain being so bad inside and to touch. my legs feel heavy. I feel like I have a bad case of the flu no energy. the list goes on.All I am getting is pain killers to try to mask the pain.
I am at my wits end.I am a single parent who is relying on my parents help for the last few month.What can I do. Can some one help please??? has anyone had similar symtoms??
Wondered if anyone can help me with a very long story.
Five months ago I started to get a pain in my left arm that would wake me up in my sleep.
After seven weeks of taking normal pain killers, they stopped working.I went to my local A and E. I saw a doctor whoTmoved my arm in a circle once told me I had a shoulder indury and gave me more pain killers.told me to do exercise. They couldn't be bothered even though I was the only person in the waiting room.
I went on holiday for two weeks. After one week I ended up being taken to hospital the pain was so bad. Electrical, pins and kneedles unexplainable. the pain would be worse when I sat up or walked. Some times lying down would ease the pain slightly.The doctor sent me away with yet more pain killers.
I found two lumps under my arm.So when I got home they told me to go straight for an ultra scan.My doctor actually said we think you have lymphoma.Which my Mum actually has. I went to hospital they scanned and said they dont know why they are there but they look normal.what ever that means.!!!!!!
After trips time and time again back to the doctors for stronger pain killers I was given gabapentin on the highest dose possible but it never relieved the pain but made me feel like a zombie I could not sit forward or even walk for two weeks.So the doctor prescribed morphine to be taken as needed, which I was taking every two hours for one week.
I started to get pressure on my wind pipe that would worsen if I laid down by this time I was feeling very upset and anxious. so I put it down to globus (caused by stress). By this time I had also lost two stone in weight.
After seeing a neuro-surgeon. I was admitted into hospital. I had an MRI scan that did show degeneration of c6 and c7.A clear CT and another clear MRI.I also had a nerve study done and that was fine. But my arm was so bad even a bedsheet touching it would be terrible.I could feel it was the nerves but they said no.
After I had a lumbar punch I started having problems swallowing?I told the doctors on nine separated occasions but they just ignored me
I didnt feel safe in the hospital as they had given me an over dose of morphine ,condeine and three other drugs which made by blood pressure shoot up and sent me into seizures and sickness .I then had another one in my sleep which they tried to tell me were panick attacks, until I made them aware that I have absences which are unexplainable which I see a neurologist for
I would also be left in the bed crying in agony because they would take their time getting the morphine and codeine. After two weeks in hospital and no explainations. My arm pain did feel a little better, the swallowing was so bad I could not sleep.I asked time and time again if somebody would examine my throat I was just ignored. I looked on the internet and it said that opieds such as morphine and codeine can give you swallowing problems. I asked, they just looked at me as though I was stupid. So I decided to refuse to take either until I was examined .As soon as I said that my arm pain was bearable they couldn't release me quick enough. As they had no answers.
Went home and spent a sleepless night with the chronic arm pain having returned,also the tightness in my chest and trouble swallowing that was so bad I even had difficulty with my own saliva my body hurt as if I had flu I just could not lay and get comfortable.It was just unbearable.I couldnt take any more. I was taken to hospital again by ambulance.
I was in A and E for two days.Waited twenty four hours to see a doctor explained I couldnt sleep.He said it looks like you will not be sleeping again tonight nothing I can do.My neuro surgeon was made aware I had been taken back in.He didn't even come to see me.The neurologist came to see me,said some of my scans need further investigation also waiting for more test results,then made me aware ther could be a problem with my thiroid. He was prepared for me to go home after being given yet more pain killers. I would not leave untill my throat had been examined properly. They then sent someone from E N T to look at my throat. A doctor had already told me that I had a lump in my thiroid.told me that I had a large lump and swelling on my right side of my neck.I was a little relieved as I thought I was going mad. I knew that there was something getting worse in my throat. When the E N T man looked at me he held the lump in his hand said there was nothing there. I could not believe my ears. He said I have a cyst in my thioid. Also that the swallowing action was paralised because of the same problem I had with my arm.But no explanation.He would book me a barium swallow as an emergency.
I came out of hospital that night. feeling worse that when I went in over two weeks ago. Nobody has told me anything. My arm pain is severe.My throat is worse. I havent been out in months and have now lost over two stone even though I have a very good appetite.I cant walk for longer than two mins with out the arm pain being so bad inside and to touch. my legs feel heavy. I feel like I have a bad case of the flu no energy. the list goes on.All I am getting is pain killers to try to mask the pain.
I am at my wits end.I am a single parent who is relying on my parents help for the last few month.What can I do. Can some one help please??? has anyone had similar symtoms??
its been two years since my surgery replacing the disk c-5 and having the titanium plate put in.
i still have considerable trouble swollowing, my arms and legs still go numb and tingling. i have been over come with depression, but i cant take antidepressants because they just make me realize there is no reason to even get up out of bed.
I dont like going out to eat with friends because i choke on food and its embarrassing.
Ive been going to my pain management doctor that gives me lortab for the pain that i have had since the accident in 06 and muscle relaxers that keep the muscles from drawing up in my neck.
They say i must have scar tissue from the surgery and its continueing problems of mine. I am scheduled to have the nerves burned, and he wants to send me back to the surgeon to have the scar tissue removed.
I cant do any of the things i use to, cleaning is a problem, mowing the yard, i recently hired someone to take care of the yard for me. I also have a very stressful job as a dispatcher which has started me having anxiety attacks to go along with the pain of sitting at a computer all day long on the computer to the point that i feel as tho i am having a heart attack.
I just want to know if anyone can tell me when will it end? is there any proceedures that actually work? one proceedure seems to led to other problems.
I'm so ready to just give up and try for disability, because it is all way to much to deal with, the neck pain, tingling, numbness, complete loss of feeling, depression, anxiety attacks, the pain of chocking on food. Im sick of proceedures that dont work.
Does anyone have any good advise to give me? I certainly could use it.
i still have considerable trouble swollowing, my arms and legs still go numb and tingling. i have been over come with depression, but i cant take antidepressants because they just make me realize there is no reason to even get up out of bed.
I dont like going out to eat with friends because i choke on food and its embarrassing.
Ive been going to my pain management doctor that gives me lortab for the pain that i have had since the accident in 06 and muscle relaxers that keep the muscles from drawing up in my neck.
They say i must have scar tissue from the surgery and its continueing problems of mine. I am scheduled to have the nerves burned, and he wants to send me back to the surgeon to have the scar tissue removed.
I cant do any of the things i use to, cleaning is a problem, mowing the yard, i recently hired someone to take care of the yard for me. I also have a very stressful job as a dispatcher which has started me having anxiety attacks to go along with the pain of sitting at a computer all day long on the computer to the point that i feel as tho i am having a heart attack.
I just want to know if anyone can tell me when will it end? is there any proceedures that actually work? one proceedure seems to led to other problems.
I'm so ready to just give up and try for disability, because it is all way to much to deal with, the neck pain, tingling, numbness, complete loss of feeling, depression, anxiety attacks, the pain of chocking on food. Im sick of proceedures that dont work.
Does anyone have any good advise to give me? I certainly could use it.
jaxsjo-
I had surgery over 3 yrs ago and never got better. I applied for disablity knowing there was not anyway I could hold a job due to all of the symptoms you described. This is pure hell to say the least.
One warning....I applied for disability 3 yrs ago and I am currently waiting on a hearing. I've been denied over and over. Be sure you have some type of financial security or qualify for SSI before you file or you could face financial ruin. Thank goodness I have a spouse that can provide other wise I would be out on the streets.
Just recently I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and was told I now could possibly have more ruptured disc in my neck. (Yipee!!!!!!) This is a tough surgery and after having negative results after the first surgery it's going to take alot of convincing to have neck surgery again. Anyway these diagnosis should help prove to the SSA idiots that I really do have health issues and am not faking the pain and weakness.
Psss...you would think since I worked 30 yrs without missing any work that should be their (SSA) first clue that I'm not a lazy person. I didn't even take any time off when I had children!
I had surgery over 3 yrs ago and never got better. I applied for disablity knowing there was not anyway I could hold a job due to all of the symptoms you described. This is pure hell to say the least.
One warning....I applied for disability 3 yrs ago and I am currently waiting on a hearing. I've been denied over and over. Be sure you have some type of financial security or qualify for SSI before you file or you could face financial ruin. Thank goodness I have a spouse that can provide other wise I would be out on the streets.
Just recently I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and was told I now could possibly have more ruptured disc in my neck. (Yipee!!!!!!) This is a tough surgery and after having negative results after the first surgery it's going to take alot of convincing to have neck surgery again. Anyway these diagnosis should help prove to the SSA idiots that I really do have health issues and am not faking the pain and weakness.
Psss...you would think since I worked 30 yrs without missing any work that should be their (SSA) first clue that I'm not a lazy person. I didn't even take any time off when I had children!