Dysphagia following ACDF surgery
 

Had ACDF surgery (C3-C4) about three weeks ago, but still have dysphagia. I can eat certain foods, but always feel like there's a lump in my throat and don't feel like I can eat 2/3 of the foods I usually do. Liquids I have to drink slowly to avoid coughing. The foods I am eating (mac & cheese, cream of wheat, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, etc.) feel more natural going down than thin liquids (i.e., water). I take all pills with applesauce The surgeon said before the surgery that I might have a day or two of difficulty swallowing, but here we are at three weeks. Virtually no pain after surgery. I didn't have any going in, but had the surgery to avoid being paralyzed years down the road.

Anyone else with similar experiences?

Not to be an alarmist ... I had the same. After my first ACDF, I had a considerable amount of swelling for weeks...even when it looked like there wasn't any really visible. Internally there was a great deal of inflamation and it took a while for it to go away. But it did.

Thanks for the comment. Foods are getting easier to eat now, although maybe it's just that I'm willing to try more of them. Drinking thin liquids is what probably still feels the furthest from normal. I did a video swallow study and it showed the epiglottis not always closing properly with thin liquids. I see the surgeon for my six week followup next week. We'll see what he says about the results of the study. Because of the issue with thin liquids, I still take all my pills with applesauce.