Coughing And Lighthead After Anterior Cervical Fusion

LaDonna over a year ago

Good Morning Everyone~

I am 9 months post op. I was wondering if anyone out there has had a chronic cough as well as being light headed since having their Anterior Cervical Fusion and if yes, does it get better?

I had my fusion in April 2012 and have had issues of pain in my neck and left arm as well as a swelling/tight feeling in my neck at the incision. I can't sing like I used to either... I have had the most irritating cough and it has gotten so bad that I actually cracked a rib. The doctors can't find a reason for the cough (I do not see my original surgeon now as he is in Texas and I have moved to Montana). The cough originates at the base of my plate (c5, c6, c7 are fused).

Also, does anyone know what the rejection symptoms are? I have felt like c**p since having this done too and I am always running a low grade fever.

Insight would be wonderful from anyone who has gone through this or is going through this and what can I do?

Thank you!!

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barb over a year ago

I have had 2 fusions done, after the 2nd one i've had swelling in throat, trouble swallowing and cough, mild sore throat here and there. and still in pain. now they say i should have steroid injections or rhizotomy but i havent read anything good about it so i will probably just deal with the pain

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Guest over a year ago

I too have a cough since neck op driver of mad and makes my neck tight . I'm 8 months post op and don't feel I'm getting anywhere

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Guest over a year ago

I have swelling under chin plus a cough so fed up feeling so rough

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Guest over a year ago

Hi! I had an anterior cervical fusion in April 2017 and I have had extreme coughing ever since! I had a major problem with swallowing as well, but it’s beginning to get a little better. The coughing, however, has been HORRIBLE! I cough and cough until I gag and feel like I can’t breathe! I saw my neurosurgeon yesterday and he said that this is actually rather rare, but it may take as long as a year for it to get better.

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pimpernel587365430 over a year ago

My husband had ACDF on 5/22/18 - he has exactly what you are talking about - persistent cough where sometimes he says he can't catch his breathe. We are seeing surgeon today to see what can be done....

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Guest over a year ago

I had the same surgery (c4/c5) in Nov 2018 and have the same symptoms. My surgeon seems surprised and I don’t think he believes me with my persistent cough, dizziness and constant pain.

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Guest over a year ago

I had my anterior cervical dissection and fusion last Nov. 2018 and have had dry hacking cough, horse raspy voice ever since. I also have had a droopy eye since the surgery. I am going to eye Dr. tomorrow and my surgeon said he is probably going to send me to an ENT, but ENT Dr. said I had to wait till 3 months from surgery date before I can see him Wants to make sure I am completely healed. I have gotten to the point to where I don't go anywhere unless I have to because of my voice and droopy eye so I hope things will improve soon

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nikki over a year ago

I just had an anterior fusion of my cervical discs 4 and 5 and now having a lot of trouble swallowing and a lot of phlegm. Is this normal?

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Guest over a year ago

Hello all, I too have had an Anterior Cervical Fusion on C4/5 & C 5/6 on June 1st 2021.
I have had a dry non-productive cough ever since. Starts out with a slightly stinging sensation in the back of my throat during the day as well as during the night. My Dr's office suggested referring me so I could have a swallowing
study done. I too have lost the ability to sing. I am wondering if any of you here found that your cough has gone away on it's own or did you have seek treatment? Also for the person that lost their signing voice did it come back?

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Guest over a year ago

Hi Nikki, I had the Anterior Fusion of C4/5 & C5/6 back in June of 2021.
You will have swallowing issues for a few weeks possibly. I did, had to watch what and how I was eating. found that I had to keep food on the right side when I swallowed. I also had a bit of phlegm. That will clear up. You most likely still have a lot of swelling in your throat. Did they send you home on Steroids?

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Guest over a year ago

I had my acdf surgery in 2020. The doctor nicked my dura sac and caused a cerebral fluid leak. I was coughing off and on until Oct. 2021. I cough constantly now. It's so bad that I pee on myself and see flashes of light. I have constant running of mucus that it strangles me when lying down. The back of my neck aches. I just had another acdf surgery June 2022 to fix the first surgery and I still have a chronic cough. It gets to be very embarrassing cause people think you're contagious.

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Guest over a year ago

I had the surgery two weeks ago and as of two days afterwards I got a persistent cough and weakness/light headedness.the surgical team assures me it is unrelated to the surgery.

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Guest over a year ago

ACDF C5 two years ago. Still coughing. Much worse with cold weather and at times I feel like I am choking. It's awful!

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Guest over a year ago

I had my surgery c5/c6 January 2 2019. I am still coughing. If I don’t constantly drink it gets worse. It’s crazy.

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