I had my 1st surgery in 1994 a laminectomy of C3-4. I was already fused C4-C7 non surgical. I had such severe stenois I had no choice. After the surgery I could no longer lift my head. Had at least a 20% lean forward. Went to therapy, it didnt help.
In March 2010 found out that now fused posterior C2-C4 and fully fused T1-T3. Had surgery in October to fuse anterior C2-C4 and insert rods from C2-C5 to lift my head up a bit as I was having trouble breathing. I'm still in hard collar until next week (God willing) and I have numbness throughout entire body. I am on several meds for pain, main thing is I can walk. Not perfect but at least I can. I have a 9 level fusion.
I never thought this could happen to me, but this is my life, I'm learrning to deal with it.

Hello, I just had six month ck with Cat Scan. I am fine. I still however have issues with my throat. The swallowing is still in issue and I must drink water with a meal. For the relelief all over I have, it was worth this outcome, even if this is a permanent problem. there are worse things than having to drink water with meals. I hurt alot less. I also had a complete reversal of my spinal cord, Swan neck deformity from years at my art work. It made the operation worse for me because they changed the direction of my neck as well as all of C-3-7 as it goes. I am doing great! There are a few tinges here and there, for me it is a relief from most of the pain I was experiencing. I had old hardware removed and this was the second surgery on what was a failed neck fussion. This one worked. C1-2 is good on mobility. T1 has signs of disease. I will have to be carefull to keep these two in good shape. I have the same degenerative disease you do. You will get better, I do believe that. I also started thearapy at 4 weeks and continued with the whole of therapy. ginnie

Hi I just had surgery on jan 24 of the cervical 4,5,6,7.fusion.cadaver bone.pins plate.Today is week 2 post op,i am still on pain meds,take them usually every 6 hrs,I am sleeping alot,also having some issues with swallowing,but getting better.also having numbness tingling in right arm,but not constant.Prior to the surgery,and this sounds strange,but i had issues with sucking my tongue,however after surgery,this disappeared for the first week,however,the symptom is now back.I really cant comment yet ,because i am not off the pain medication,the first week was intense,so,i think in a week or so i will have a better idea of the outcome.

Hi Ginnie,
When you say they fixed the deformity in your neck are you talking about kyphosis? I have this and they were not able to correct it. I agree drinking water with meals is ok to eat,eats a feeding tube.
Good luck to you.
Saucer

Hi Tiny,
The swallowing problems for me didnt last long. I never heard of the sucking of the tongue. Possible the meds? They do make your mouth dry. Good luck with your healing, it will be awhile. Give it all the time it needs and make sure you follow doctors orders.
Saucer

Hi saucer, yes that word was used in my records. From what happened before, the 1st fused C-5-6. He did not fix the curve, reversal of my spinal cord, evidently he could not do it. I continued to degenerate for 6 years, until the above C-3-4 was folded over on itself. I worked under a magnafier for 25 years, and so reversed my cord from this. The pain Dr. Could not control my pain, epidurals etc. So I tried to find the best neuro around. He was voted #1 in our area, and was the A student. He told me he could do it, and correct all damage C-3-7. All the disks, removed old hardware. It was holy hell for pain I can tell you that. Now I am doing just fine. This did work and for the first time in 10 years I can function without the horrible pain. I still have twinges, some NP in left hand, some twinges around C1-2, and I am being careful not to life or damage remaining spine. I do have trouble with swallowing, but that is OK compared to how bad I was. Let me know what you think. Do you want to go through the process of getting yoour spine straightened? ginnie

Hi Saucer, It was also called swan neck deformity, and another word I forget how to spell. All in all it looked like the letter s, with all the upper vertebre falling like dominos. Have your doctors even mentioned getting your neck fixed like I did? ginnie

Hi there, I just had my final pre-op appt. with my neurosurgeon yesterday, my ACDF is scheduled in three weeks (Mar. 2nd). I have almost the same issues as you. I'm having C5, C6 & C7 fused, and it was up for discussion to whether he would fuse C4 also. But he is going to leave that one out for the time being.

I'm very anxious now to get it done, I'm so tired of the pain. My dr. was very reassuring and hopeful that it will solve my issues, although lifestyle changes are in order to avoid more surgery in the future. I will let you know how I do, but given the choice to live with the pain I'm in now, or the chance to gain my life back I choose the surgery. Good luck with your decision.

Take care, Cathie

Hi Ginnie,
You are so lucky to have your curvature fixed. No they could not fix mine as I have what they call congenital fusion. Started with 2 fused in C spine, now fused from C2-T3. I was recently told not good to fuse C2 as driving is very difficult. I'm still in hard collar since October so havent even tried car yet.
I'm glad for you the pain has let up. I find the pain is the most unbearable part of this lifestyle. I started fusing at 19 and am 51 now so should be use to it.
Wishing you the best,
Saucer

Hi Cath,
Are they going in posterior or anterior for your surgery?
I understand the pain but not just that but the damage that is being done to spinal cord. I was so worried about that my Dr. woke my up after my last surgery telling me over and over your not paralyzed, you are good. Move this, move that, so needless to say this is what I remember most after the surgery. It is a very scary thing, these surgeries but being fused is nothing compared with being in a wheelchair.
Good Luck to you,
Saucer