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ACDF c4/5, cc5/6, ongoing issues

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Posted 7/11/2016 7:13 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks again for your response!

I'm liking the new guy as he is very reassuring, answers all my questions thoroughly and his explanations always seem very clear.

I feel even more reassured having heard from you as he too explained that, looking at my neck with a scar in my right you would assume that they would avoid scar tissue and approach from the left. He said that this wouldn't always be the case as he would need to avoid any scar tissue which would make it a more difficult op, and therefore approach from the left. On hearing my croaky voice though, as I said, something that could only be flagged up I guess by hearing me, he then decided to put the op on hold till he got ENT to check my vocal cords.

Unlike my last doc, whom I felt was a bit reluctant to mention things like 'damage' to anything, the new guy just says it all matter of fact, in a kindly manner. This is something I personally need. I can be a bit soft hearted sometimes, usually in private, but the best way for me to deal with anything is to have the truth and the facts. I can then go away and digest at leisure and at least know what I am dealing with.

I started explaining this to new guy and said to him, hey, if having a dodgy voice for the rest of my life is my biggest issue, I'll cope, it's no big deal. It was then he explained that it was the potential internal effects causing this that might be the issue. Frightening, but at least I knew. The old doc just used to say 'Mm', and look concerned. New guy has explained his concern and now I get it!!

New guy has also explained that if damage, or paralysis is preventing my voice from returning then it is an option to go in on the right side again but slightly further away from my original scar.

The reason for the CT scan and suggestion of going in from the back is that he isn't sure what the mass causing pressure is, and (I think) if it shows as calcification then the back may be the only option. (This bit I'm a bit mixed up about, I don't exactly remember. It may be that if it is calcification, then it would be OK to go for the front again. One or the other, I guess, lol!).

Who would've thought that the issue of my voice would've had such a major part in the decision of the surgery!? totally makes sense when explained but I never gave it a second thought!

I'm just anxious now to get the ball rolling.
Posted 7/11/2016 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
The waiting game is always the hardest part! I think it is easier just to get it done and over with as soon as possible! You know GFM for most of those twenty five years I never noticed about my voice because when it finally came back after three plus months after the surgery my voice was slightly different anyway! The problem I had, that definitely bothered me the most was an abnormal gag reflex that developed after my first fusion! If I moved just right or put stress on my neck I would start gagging and retching! It was very strong and violent, and would go on and on for five or ten minutes or longer! I was still in the military and some of the doctors tried to tell me it was all psychological and all in my head. One doctor thought it was because of my tonsils and he removed them, while on the operating room table and totally out, the gagging and retching started up and they could not get it to stop! That surgeon said that it was definitely not psychological and there was something physically wrong! Ha,

As the years have went by, it has become less and less of a problem but I still have some episodes of it happening even now! But the military doctors never told me anything about my vocal cords being permanently partially paralyzed! I did not find that out till when I had to have that second fusion! And that was many years, after I retired from the service and I was seeing civilian doctors and surgeons! And I was also told that the retching and gagging problem was probably part of the nerve damage affecting my vocal cords!

Anyway I agree with you, I think it is best just to know the facts! Because then you can deal with the problem more logically! I hate doctors that are less than open and honest! I figure that they are working for me, and I deserve to know what they find or what they plan on doing! I hire them! So if they are not honest and forth coming..... then I can fire them! LOL

Anyway please keep us all posted on your progress!

Again Good luck to YOU!

White Beard
Posted 9/20/2016 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I'm back again!
Ive been feeling pretty low as I was spending all my time chasing appointments. So I basically just recoiled into myself for a while trying to re-evaluate and find some inner strength.

Meanwhile, I have since had bloods done as I was complaining of excessive tiredness and I'm due to go for a liver scan because of some issue there.

My ENT check has confirmed total paralysis at the right hand (operated) side of my throat. My voice is therefore a little dodgy and it tends to disappear if I try to shout. The doctor said that because it has been 6 months post op there would be no likelihood of recovery of the vocal cords that side.

I now just await a phone call from my new consultant as to when and how he intends to proceed with my op.

I'm trying to remain positive as there's no reason why I shouldn't . Last time my surgery was semi emergency so I had no option. The risks with the vocal cords were explained to me as temporary damage, but at no point did I think it was likely to be permanent..

I feel somewhat cheated as I thought I would only have one lot of surgery to recover from and didnt realise I would have any permanent damage and still have to go back for more surgery!

I can still speak though which is a small consolation.

I was at a wedding last weekend and at night when there was music playing and people talking it was a total waste of time for me to even try and be heard. It's little realisation times like this that hit hard as to reality of things.

Anyway, I shall await my further notification and report in on what way things will be happening.
Posted 9/21/2016 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi GFM It is good to hear from you again! I am sorry to hear that your vocal cords on your right side is totally paralyzed, I am sure that makes talking difficult, I know what I experienced and it was extremely difficult, so I really do empathize with you. If your surgeon does like my surgeon did on my second fusion, he went in on my right side again, since my vocal cords on that side were already partially paralyzed, from my first surgery. So even though he wanted to go in on the left side he didn't because he did not want to take the risk of paralyzing my vocal cords on my left side to.

Anyway may I ask you? do you still have some swallowing problems? Or problems with laryngeal spasms? Or is it just with your vocal cords and voice. ( which by the way is more than enough!) Anyway I am sure this has been a really difficult time for you! I know this is allot easier said that done, but try your best to stay strong, and know that we are all here to give you our support!!. Please keep us posted on how you are doing, we really do care!

I wish you well!

White Beard
Posted 9/21/2016 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hello GFM, so very sorry to read what you have going on with the voice situation. The waiting is just horrible, try not to stress too much. I know easier said than done. Hopefully you will hear something soon from the surgeon so you can get on the road to recovery. I think it is wonderful that you have confidence in the new surgeon.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing. Take care.
Posted 9/21/2016 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
White beard. - I do still have some problems with swallowing but only a sensation as if something gets stuck, or if there is a lump there, and stupidly I feel with my hand and there isn't. My throats is often quite dry too despite drinking fluid most of the day. I was always very aware of drinking enough water but since my op am more conscious to be drinking regularly rather than drinking an amount, but it doesn't seem to make much difference.


My surgeon called today to explain that he was glad he had waited on the extra checks being done as the results from the ct scan indicate the mass is a huge area of leftover bone (?), and the ENT pics shows damage on one side of vocal cords, (which I knew). Therefore he has decided the best way forward is for entry via the back of the neck
He has booked me in for a pre op on 12 october and will discuss a suitable date then.

I'm not entirely sure what he will be doing as he spoke about relieving the pressure of a compacted nerve. He also spoke about drilling and I'm assuming its to remove the bone, but I don't actually recall him saying that the bone will be getting removed despite pressing on my spinal cord. How stupid of me now to pick up that bit correctly!?

I may just give his secretary a call to confirm. My mistake, but it was only on hanging up that I became confused. I think I'm fine whilst listening and then hang up and start imagining things.
Posted 9/21/2016 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
GFM what your describing with swallowing is very similar to what I have, it isn't all the time but sometimes when eating or drinking, it is like the swallowing mechanism stops, and if feels like the food or drink is just stuck in my throat. If I stop eating and just wait a few minutes it passes and the food or drink goes down. But if instead I continue to eat or drink I start choking and it all comes up! So I just have to be careful when eating or drinking.

When I had my C3/4 fusion in November of 2010 they did the posterior approach, ( going through the back of my neck) I had forty seven staples down the center of the back of my neck from roughly the base of my skull to the top of my shoulders, I called it my zipper. I will tell you going through the back is allot more painful and takes allot longer time to heal. For me they ended up putting in rods and pins on both sides fastened to the vertebra to hold it all together. But my neurosurgeon told me in advance that it was going to be a tough surgery to recover from, ( he was definitely right!) but after I was all healed up, I was glad I had it done! But it took many many months and allot of physical therapy before that day came! I guess the best thing I can tell you is prepare yourself for a really rough time, and that way if it isn't that bad you will be Pleasantly surprised! For me that always makes things go a little easier! I try and Prepare myself for the worst, then if it turns out to be not that bad, it is just a big bonus! LOL

Good Luck to YOU GFM!

White Beard
Posted 9/22/2017 5:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I had an acdf February 2017 and developed both myofascial cervical and thoracic muscle spasms from hell. Ended up in the ER twice within 5 days of being discharged. A combination of muscle relaxer & pain meds control the spasms. 5% idocaine patches, gels, & icy hot & heating pad help. Take your meds prophylactically. do NOT wait until ur in extreme pain before taking ur meds With both of these do NOT drive until u know how it effects you. Some of the best sleep ive ever had. Dont wait until you' re in severe pain b4 medicating;because its harder to control.I've also had steroid injections that help.
Umfortunately, it looks like I may have to deal with that as a side effect. I've tried Gabapentin, unfortunatrly I developed joint pain & swelling all over my body so that had to be discontinued. however it was kind of effective so you might want to look at that as a possibility. With Lyrica I ended up with a 70 lb weight gain years ago. 1/3rd of the weight acdf., because the acdf hardware displaced & restricted the tube. The nice thing it wasn't painful, & i kept well hydrated easiest diet ive ever been on. Puddings, ice cream, apple sauce. I even managed to get a doctor to write a script for chocolate pudding & icecream w/ 60 refills (as a joke). Good Earth sells a Sweet & Spicy tea, Celestial Seasons has a tea for the throat, soda feel good on the throat old or luke warm foods are best: mashd potaoes w/ cheeze, cream soupswasn't hungry at all.
i also developed GERD and that's quite annoying it's to the point where my throat and tongue are really really inflamed swallowing isn't any fun obviously you don't want to lay down immediately eating and be careful about what you're eating drink lots and lots of fluids if you got if yoIu're having problems with their is lidocaine it tastes horrible but it will numb your throat and after about 3 days doesn't taste too bad kind of like glue, remember that experience from kindergarten. One of the other posts mention that you were still very early in your recovery. And that is absolutely true don't assume that these problems aren'At going to go away and keep a positive attitude the best thing I found for my neck after the surgery was a pillow that they gave me at the hospital and unfortunately you're not going to be elevated 6-8 inhes, unless u have an adjustable bed, which GERD asks you eat9 but you have to remember treat the acdf because that's going to cause the muscle spasms and bother you more than the GERD but I love my little pillow and I can't ever imagine going back to the pills that I had before because it's cut out shape just kind of cradles your head and remember at 3 weeks to put it bluntly they basically slashed your throat and bored battery acid down your throat is what it feels like so taking care of your neck during the recovery period is absolutely essential but have a sense of humor about it and lots and lots of questions and stuff like that will probably ended up with the gastroenterologist and the barium swallow test and the modified barium swallow test and the nasal gastric examination of your esophagus that's not too bad and they have yummy green applesauce and graham crackers so if you remember being kindergarten you get a couple bites of those and yeah if you have a barium swallow test they might have a speech therapist involved (don't accept food from srrangers, she laces her food w/ Barium.any food from the nice lady because she has an agenda and the food the pudding is laced with barium so it really doesn't taste very good (just kidding). Above all, keep a sense of humor.
Posted 9/22/2017 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hello GFM,
I just wanted to tell you I admire the patience you have shown in waiting so long to get results and plan your treatment. If you had to "recoiled into yourself while trying to re-evaluate and find some inner strength" that must have worked very well for you.

Posterior surgery is a difficult recovery but I have no doubt you are strong enough to handle it, you have proven your strength in this long wait. I hope the surgery will be scheduled soon after that Oct. consult so that you can get started on your recovery!! I'll be watching for updates.
Posted 3/25/2023 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone
I found this forum while trying to find answer’s myself. I am 3.5 weeks post C5 T-7 Posterior/Anterior cervical spine fusion. This is my second surgery on my neck in 6 months. Anyone have this surgery? I’m wondering if I should still be in so much pain! If I sit still all day or lay, I’m ok. If I wipe off a counter, or try anything else, the pain is awful. I just think after 3 weeks I should feel a little better.
Anyone?
Thank you
Posted 3/25/2023 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hmmm. ?
Posted 3/26/2023 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Catherine, 2nd surgery in 6 months that's a hard one to deal with, adding in posterior surgeries take longer to recover from. Yes, you need to be up moving around but very limited activities for the time being. What are doing for some pain control, have you been given muscles relaxers? Are you using ice packs? It's going to be a while before you start feeling a lot better, not trying to discourage you, just being honest. Time & patience are your new friends. Whatever you do, don't beat yourself up because you are not feeling so good.

Keep us posted.
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