I had ACDF mid-Sept 2004, everything went well, recovery was uneventful and I was back to work in 6 weeks.
For the past four weeks I've begun to experience difficulty swallowing. Food lodges in my throat and I start choking. Certain foods like apples and pretzels I have to completely avoid. I thought I was congested with pollen season in full swing, but it's getting worse.
Has anyone else experienced this? Does scar tissue build up? My NS just retired and a new one won't see me for 6 weeks and I'm a bit nervous. Thanks. Bill
Hi Bill, I think I was like 4 wks or so into the c6-7 fusion when that happend to me, scared the heck out of me too,I always kept water near by and took small bites,my NS blew it off, but there are a few people here that will relate, I am 9 months in now and it has stopped that , thankgoodness Diana
Better yet, see if you can schedule an appointment with an Ears/Nose/Throat (ENT) specialist as soon as you can. It may provide you with a better plan of treating the problem.
It sounds very much like what I am dealing with.Mine is caused by excessive scar tissue build up.I seem to grow scar tissue very well.I am not sure just what to do about it either as to have another surgery to try and remove it would just cause even more to develop.it's just a visious cycle you know?i would get it checked out though.You never know, it could be something else.Marcia
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3-22-01,herniated C-6-7
11-20-01,placement of hardware for failed fusion
9-22-03,removal of cavernous hemangioma that was inside spinal cord. Neuro damage to L hand L leg and R leg.
I agree that you should talk to your gp or get an appointment with an ENT surgeon as soon as possible. Most of us who've had ACDFs have had some problems with swallowing along the line, but the fact that this has occured out of the blue 9 months later suggests that this is atypical and should be checked into. I certainly wouldn't wait six weeks before seeing anyone.
Although I have not had any cervical surgery as I am putting this off as long as possible. Their is also a possibility that you may have Dysphagia. My husband has this, and at one time food did get stuck in his esophagus. He was still able to breathe but needed a procedure from an Gastro to remove the food as meds would not work to dissolve it. He then had to have an endoscopy and the doctor also expanded what I think was his esophagus, with a balloon. This has helped him some but, he still has to be very careful when eating certain foods. Unfortunately, I cannot get him to follow up with his doctor's....
I do pray that your doctor's find the cause of your swallowing difficulty and correct it.
____________________ ~LUMBAR~
Posterolateral Fusion & Infuse with Laminectomy & Discectomy on L4,L5,S1
June 2003
Instrumentation = 2 Rods, 6 Screws, 2 Disc Spacers
FBSS-Failed Back Surgery Syndrome ~CERVICAL~
Straightening of the Normal Cervical Lordosis.
Mild Congenital Narrowing of the Spinal Canal.
C4-5, C5-6, C6-7 Herniated Discs
C4-5 & C5-6 , Cord Flattening at these levels.
