anterior cervical fusion/choking and swallowing issues

it's been 5 months now since my surgery had 4 disc fusions c4 c5 c6 c7. my incision is horizonally done on front of throat. still limited with moving or bending my head due to the incision site is sticking out where it's tied. its pulling my throat muscle as well. im going to have another dr. look to see if this incision is tied to my throat muscle or something cause there is no give at all. feels like it's botched up.

please post what answer you receive. I still feel like I am chocking even 4 months after having my sursery. I even wake up during the night thinking that I have a necklace around my neck that is chocking me.

I really appreciate this website. When I sit on my right butt cheek I have tingling in my right thumb and index finger and it feels like someone "frogged" me in my arm. Physical therapy was a waste of time and so were two epidural shots in my neck. The surgeon said that if I could live with the occassional discomfort there was no need for surgery but I scheduled it anyway. This website has completely persuaded me to postpone this surgery until after the new year to give me more time to think about it. I do not want to spend the holidays unable to talk and having problems swallowing will lead to a lot of anxiety for me. Thanks again everyone for your feedback..

Hello everyone,

I had C4 - 6 ACDF performed less than 2 weeks ago at Richmond VAMC Polytrauma. I am confident that I have the best medical team in the world and feel that they did what was necessary to try and resolve severe pain and paralysis issues. What I am wondering about is the fact that I am unable to eat anything solid without taking very small portions/bites and flooding it down with water or other beverage. From what I am reading here on steadyhealth.com, it seems swallowing issues are a norm following ACDF. I am troubled that so many are affected with swallowing issues months after surgery. Like many of the accounts written here I am also unable to swallow post nasal drip. I have a medical follow up in mid October, and will asks questions then as necessary, but am curious as to why I cannot swallow solid foods and if anyone else has learned that this will eventually pass or is therapy needed in most every case? I appreciate any responses.

Mags again here... It is now three months post op and I regret having the surgery. Still having MAJOR issues with swallowing and general weakness to limbs. Have been having issues with faintness, saw doctors who have done blood work ( that came out perfect) brain MRI ( that cameout perfect) and had the swallow test..which show swelling to the area where the surgical site is. I am weak and tired and today I am going back to the doctor to see about seeing Dr Aviv in NYC.my own doctor said this could take another month to be right. But right now I feel lousy. I want the hardware out ...that's how bad I'm feeling. Any suggestions? What am I missing here? Has anyone had issues that push into years?

Hi Mags,



I have read your posts and just wanted to say that I too have swallowing issues, but my neuro Docs are the absolute best and they are certain that swallowing will improve if I am patient. My hands are numb, but the excruciating pre-surg pain is much relieved. I found that I am able to bite off very small pieces of bread and sip juice, coffee, or water and the bread falls apart and goes right down. Apparently you must feel much worse than me, for which I am sorry. I hope you feel better soon and are able to swallow. God forbid anyone shou have to drink only liquids for years! My SCI pain and paralysis was so bad for me that I am willing to live on liquids if I have to, but I hope not. For me it is the difficulty sleeping/resting with this plastic neck brace!!! I am literally exhausted from lack of sleep and were it not for lots of percocet to numb me out I don't know what I'd do. Berst wishes!

Hello Mags,



I think I can give you some good feedback. You were asking for someone years into this journey.....it's been 15 years for me since my two surgeries. The first thing I would say is that it's still early for you re: post surgery and all of your problems may resolve. It wasn't until 2 years post surgery that all the professionals advised me that I had recovered as much as I would. So give it some more time.



Are you having physiotherapy? Any other treatment? Is it possible for you to have the hardware removed?......because the hardware is now the only thing that holds my neck together. If you can have the hardware removed I would give it at least 2 years to make that decision.



In terms of issues years after the surgery......there are too many to count. But not everyone is the same. My life came to a full stop the day I learned that I would require surgery and since then it has been 15 years of health battles. I quickly learned that managing a broken neck is a full time job. Over the years I have had pretty much every type of treatment and every pain med you can imagine. It took about 9 years to finally find the best treatment plan for me. And that treatment program consists of many, many meds, weekly injections and a very light physical fitness program.



At this point in my life and after 11 years of total immobility I would say that one of the most important things I have learned is that you must still move your body. Inactivity can lead to health problems that never even appear on your radar until it is too late. My fitness program consists of a personal trainer and a very modest stretching and walking plan.



The other advice I would give you, if you will be taking narcotics long term....and this may sound strange.......is take extra care with your teeth. Narcotics dry your mouth out and lack of saliva results in oral bacteria not being killed off....bacteria will erode your teeth at an alarming rate.



I am overly-familiar with the throat issues you are experiencing and this is actually one of the most frightening things about this type of surgery. I haven't eaten a proper piece of bread in 13 years and only eat meat about twice a month. My throat issues have persisted post surgically because the plate in my neck is pushing on my trachea and oesophagus. Recently the choking sensation has become worse and prompted me to see an ENT. This was one of the most humiliating experiences of my life! I was tersely informed by this specialist that the surgeries I had did not entail broaching the throat at all....that the throat was never opened up and was only a structure that was involved in the surgery by virtue of its location....that the surgeries were conducted 'around' the throat. This ENT did put the camera down my throat to confirm that the throat itself had sustained no damage. So an ENT may not be the answer. I also did the swallow test post surgically and it did show that there was plate involvement when swallowing. I am now waiting to see a neurologist again.



Purely by coincidence I saw my personal trainer yesterday and halfway through our session I was overcome with one of my 'choking' episodes....this occurs when I get a clear sensation that something is moving in my throat. This feeling sets off a bout of extreme coughing...a hacking cough that is pretty much uncontrollable. This happens all the time when I try to eat 'normal' food and it is quite upsetting to those around me. After the episode I am left with no voice and a very sore throat. Well, yesterday while this happened in front of my trainer he thought he might have a 'movement' that might help. Not only did it help but it ceased the coughing and strange throat sensation almost immediately! I'll try to explain what you have to do......take one of your fingers and put it under you tongue, then press down quite firmly, you should feel a burning type of pain in your gum line, if you can't feel that just move your finger around until you do feel it. You can do this on both sides of your mouth. Worked like a miracle for me!



I could probably carry on talking for ages about this. If you ever need any advice please feel free to contact me by email. (_[removed]_)

I hope your journey becomes easier.

Kathi

i had surgery 9months ago i have done physical therapy and massage therapy.im still having alot of numbness in right hand and fingers.had a mri on hand nerves are k.still choke on certain foods

You need to have a modified barium swallow study or video flouroscopy done with a speech therapist to determine the causes of your dysphagia issues!!!!!

A Speech therapist has specific exercises that can help you regain your swallow muscles. They can do a video swallow study to see where your specific swallow issues are at.

Mags and all of the other brothers in sisters in same situation 2 years ago, after 3rd round of cervical surgeries (last time 2 discs removed) plate placed too far in my throat, so.... my epiglottis doesn't do it's job of closing off my airway when I swallow. I've had prob 10 - 15 episodes of pnuemonia from aspirating food/liquids into my lungs. A yr ago I saw a swallowing specialist (ENT) he did a scope while I watched. He showed me where the plate is causing my epiglottis to malfunction, told me I needed PT for swallowing (ins wouldn't cover) so couldn't do that. Suggested I return in 3 mo. to discuss a feeding tube. I'm in my 50's and always have been vibrant. He also told me to come home and tell my family how dire my circumstances are. Said I mostly aspirate liquids. I have been sleeping in a Lazy boy for 18 months. My low back kills me now, so uncomfortable. But I have no gag reflex (nerves cut) and now have the chance of food coming up during the night if I lie flat and then aspirate that food into my lungs, which he said would have acid in it and REALLY cause me a problem. OK - I came home, talked with my 17 y/o son and he asked me "mom where is your faith???" He said "that man is a dr, not God, I know God will not take you away from me!!!" so for the past year or so I've been very careful what I eat, never chips, little bread b/c it gets caught. Chew up my pills and use lots of water. Haven't returned to ENT again. Have had pneumonia only a couple of times. Only one serious case, but I refused to go to the hosp and took care of myself at home. I don't want to scare anyone, just let you know my issue. It sucks, but its my issue now. So I do the very best I can with what cards I've been dealt. God bless all of you. I feel for you. Terri

Do you know that it's been 15 years for me and dozens of specialists...including two ENTs....and no one has given me this advice about speech therapists!! Thank you!!

Do you know that it's been 15 years since my two surgeries and dozens of specialists...including two ENTs....and no one has given me this advice about speech therapists!! Thank you!!

I am so very sorry for you. Thanks for sharing.

kathibook wrote:

miserableinmissouri wrote:

Mags and all of the other brothers in sisters in same situation 2 years ago, after 3rd round of cervical surgeries (last time 2 discs removed) plate placed too far in my throat, so.... my epiglottis doesn't do it's job of closing off my airway when I swallow. I've had prob 10 - 15 episodes of pnuemonia from aspirating food/liquids into my lungs. A yr ago I saw a swallowing specialist (ENT) he did a scope while I watched. He showed me where the plate is causing my epiglottis to malfunction, told me I needed PT for swallowing (ins wouldn't cover) so couldn't do that. Suggested I return in 3 mo. to discuss a feeding tube. I'm in my 50's and always have been vibrant. He also told me to come home and tell my family how dire my circumstances are. Said I mostly aspirate liquids. I have been sleeping in a Lazy boy for 18 months. My low back kills me now, so uncomfortable. But I have no gag reflex (nerves cut) and now have the chance of food coming up during the night if I lie flat and then aspirate that food into my lungs, which he said would have acid in it and REALLY cause me a problem. OK - I came home, talked with my 17 y/o son and he asked me "mom where is your faith???" He said "that man is a dr, not God, I know God will not take you away from me!!!" so for the past year or so I've been very careful what I eat, never chips, little bread b/c it gets caught. Chew up my pills and use lots of water. Haven't returned to ENT again. Have had pneumonia only a couple of times. Only one serious case, but I refused to go to the hosp and took care of myself at home. I don't want to scare anyone, just let you know my issue. It sucks, but its my issue now. So I do the very best I can with what cards I've been dealt. God bless all of you. I feel for you. Terri

I am so very sorry for you. Thanks for sharing.

Have you considered suing the surgeon who performed your surgeries? Sounds like pretty significant surgical error to me.
You may be able to find the PT exercises you need on the internet....worth a try.