trouble swallowing after ACDF - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

geoffrey · 09-12-2003, 01:31 AM

hello everyone, i have a serious question that i hope someone can help me with, i had C5 - C7 anterior cervical fusion with plating on august 1st, 2002 and the pain is not better, but the worst problem i am having is the swallowing problems i cannot eat solid food and my surgeon tells me he has never heard of such a thing happening for more than a few days. no one seems to be able to find out what is wrong and i am at my wits end trying to find any information. i am tall and lean to begin with and have lost 25 lbs since the surgery, i live on ensure plus to just maintain the weight i have now. i hope that someone here can help me with any information about this. right now i feel as if i am the only person in the world who has the swallowing problem from surgery.

Sprytle · 09-14-2003, 07:50 PM

geoffrey -

I have heard of this happening. I did not experience it personally, but have heard from one or 2 people who have lost their gag reflex, and thus can no longer eat solid food, since if they choke, they would not be able to dislodge it.

I would suggest since you have not gotten answers on this board, if you cannot find another board to ask questions on, you need to see your GP to refer you to another NS.

As for you weight loss, that has me concerned, as your GP should when you tell him. Have you gone to GNC or another health food store to get some kind of protein drink? I know this does not solve your swallowing problem, but it should help alleviate your weight loss until you can be directed to another NS willing to help treat your situation.

Above all else, take care of yourself. Remember that to the doctors, they should know that you are the customer. Make sure they satisfy your needs.

Sprytle

winged phantom · 09-14-2003, 08:04 PM

Hi Geoffrey,
I think you should definitely go see an ENT (ear, nose, & throat) to get some answers, since your NS seems not to want to be very helpful. It's too bad when they can do surgery but then don't want to really help after that. We get plenty of stories like that here.
wr

geoffrey · 09-14-2003, 08:21 PM

thanks for your help sprytle and winged phantom, i appreciate your kind thoughts and advice....i have a family doctor who is handling all the issues related to this from now on, the orthopaedic surgeon has been useless since the surgery date, i do see a gastroenterologist and a pain management doctor and a pain management psychologist. after so long of a time, i decided to take control of my medical care through my family physician who thankfully is understanding and trying to do his best. i felt like i was the only person who was dealing with this as the surgeon kept making comments that he never heard of swallowing problems from this surgery.....i have learned so many valuable lessons from this adventure and hopefully at some point the lessons become fun and not rough like they have been.