Hi Mmomm Sorry your having problems but my answer to your question is a big big YES, I had my first ACDF at C6/7 many many many years ago back in March 1985 and I lost my voice completely for over 3 months and had swallowing difficulties and gagging problems for many years after after the surgery! 25 years later in September 2009 I had to have another ACDF at the next level above the previous fusion this was at C5/6 the surgeon wanted to go in on the other side of my neck but wanted me evaluated by the ENT surgeon first. He scoped my vocal cords and told me my vocal cords on my right side was still partially paralyzed from my ACDF in 1985! He told me he was amazed more people didn't have more problems with swallowing and losing their voice after having this type of surgery! So my surgeon elected not to attempt to go in on my left side an possible risk damaging the nerve going to my good vocal cords, so he chose to go in on the right side where I had the previous surgery. Anyway this complication is not super common but it does happen! The people it does happen to, usually don't have all the problems that I did, and they usually only last a relatively short time!! I never had any problems with my other cervical disc fusions. But when I had that first one in 1985 I was told that the ACDF surgery was a relatively new surgical procedure back then!

Anyway I just want you to know your not alone in experiencing this complication after having this surgery. There are others on this forum that have also had problems with this and I am sure they will share with you their experience with it and maybe even have some tips as to what helped them deal with it and over come it??

I wish you Well Mmomm!! Good Luck to YOU!

White Beard

Hi Mmomm, welcome to the forum. I am glad to see that WhiteBeard posted his experience for you to read.

A lot of our past members had the same issues & many said it subsided at about the six week mark. If you don't see much improvement by then, I would ask to be referred to a ENT for an evaluation.

Please take care of yourself so that you will heal properly. You have a long way to go since you are what we call fresh from surgery.

Hi Mmomm, At age 33 I attempted to lift a very heavy box of frozen food at work. Felt an immediate tearing pain in right shoulder. Went to er & was diagnosed with severe herniation's at c-5/c-6. Went to see a specialist who said," immediate surgery or live the rest of your life in agonizing pain & on heavy pain pills." So I accepted the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Woke from surgery in agonizing pain in head, neck, both shoulders with burning pain on the outsides of both upper arms. This new pain never subsided. When I told the dr, he exploded in anger and called me a liar. He said, "I fixed you. You're lying for more pain pills.". I was stunned. He was only giving me tylenol with 5mgs of hydrocodone. So I went to a neuro surgeon for 2nd opinion. He quickly diagnosed me with non union of fusion. (He wanted to operate but I learn from my mistakes & said no. I did agree, to a spinal tap then blood patch which caused much more injury & constant lower back/spinal/hip/back of upper legs, pain.) The neck incision pulled, itched & hurt. The scar tissue became thick, wide,ropy and long on outside of the neck. Then I began choking on food, pills even water. It literally felt as if I'd been karate chopped, the pain was so bad. Desperate I asked the physician's assistant about it. She wanted me to have an endoscope. I wasn't going to risk another injury or a super-bug. I learned about Proteolytic enzymes & figured it was worth a try. It took several months but the affects were amazing. My scars are now flat, tiny thin grey scars. I'm no longer choking on that inner scar tissue. The pain's gone. They MUST be taken on an empty stomach or they won't work. I take them in the AM & don't eat for 1/2 hour-1 hour afterwards. I like ProOneZyme. They don't bother my stomach at all and have also cleared up my lungs & fibrocystic breast lumps, GONE. The PA told me not to take them but I see many health pros recommending them. They literally saved me from agony. Was down to 82lbs & could barely eat/drink. They're not a cheap supplement. The Seaprose supposed to be most beneficial. Please read about them to see if they can help you. Take care.