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Cervical fusion

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sandra90064
sandra90064

I had c5,6 and 7 disectomy and c5-7 corpectomy and a fusion on 04/25/16 .I had to have a drain and had to stay in hospital for 3 weeks.The doctor said it was a miracle that I was not paralyzed and my spinal cord was so tangled causing a hole in it leaving no where for the spinal fluid to go.I have bad muscle spasms and numbness pain and weakness in my legs mostly my right side .Pain is bad mostly at nights and hard to get going in the mornings.My doctor said that may never get better but my surgery stopped it from getting worse.I have nerve damage and neutrontin is not helping.Also I was referred to an ENT because speech comes and goes and I slur.I was told this was normal because they went in from front moving my nerves and vocal chords but it should last a few days and if not then my vocal chords may have been damaged.Has anyone else gone through this after surgery with their voice and is there hope of getting my feeling back.I need my voice to work on job and my feelings to drive.

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • Terrirn
    Terrirn sandra90064

    Posted

    I had a c5-c6 fusion in 1999 due to a herniated disc that impacted my spinal cord.    After surgery, I could only whisper and had problems swallowing.  Only liquids for 6 weeks.   I had to mash Vicodin in water and take, do you know how bitter meds are?   I still remember.   I could not lift my arms above my head and my legs were very weak.  We had to move into a one floor house.   I was in PT for 2 1/2 years and saw lots of docs.   I wanted my life back.   I loved sports.   I was a Critical Care Nurse and was not able to continue with that.  They told me I probably would never work again.   I was told I would not improve anymore at the 2 1/2 yr Mark.    Everything was slow, I did improve, not a lot, but I went into management and had a wonderful career.    Yes, I had to work harder, but it can be done.   I still have problems with my voice and throat when I get tired.   I have lots of muscle spasms, but I see a massage therapist every week who specializes in tissue mobilization.   I was not very patient, and. I can't do a lot of what,I,used to do, but it will get better for you.   I would be glad to answer any questions for you. 

    Terri

  • sandra90064
    sandra90064

    Posted

    Thanks for the response.I too have trouble swallowing and get choked even with small amounts.So depressing and still cry .I am able to take meds thank God without crushing them but have to swallow slow.In the hospital I found taking my pills with applesauce helped a lot.I know things could have been worse.I am sure I don't have to tell you but everyone keeps saying give it time or I have a long road.I still have to wear my collar for another 4 weeks .My first surgery and I am scared.I want to feel my feet again .I know each case is different but really hope I improve.
  • james15716
    james15716 sandra90064

    Posted

    Dear sandra90064

    While I have never had the issue with my voice or thise nerves, I have had a bad drug interaction between Methocarbamol(Robaxin) and my previous beta blocker(Bystolic). Together they brought on the symptoms of central sleep apnea. Once I started the new beta blocker as well as baclofen, I was able to stop the trials for a cpap machine. I hope that you can get some simillance of normalcy, once you heal. I know I was misurable for months after my fusion in 94. But as the months went by I gradually regained my strangth and independence. And even though I have had a neck injury from a motorcycle wreck in 82, I have only had a lumbar spinal fusion on L5 and L4s1. So keep posting and you will find that having an outlet will ease some of the stress, worry and anxiety as well.

  • james15716
    james15716 sandra90064

    Posted

    Dear sandra90064

    While I have never had the issue with my voice or those nerves, I have had a bad drug interaction between Methocarbamol(Robaxin) and my previous beta blocker(Bystolic). Together they brought on the symptoms of central sleep apnea. Once I started the new beta blocker as well as baclofen, I was able to stop the trials for a cpap machine. I hope that you can get some simillance of normalcy, once you heal. I know I was miserable for months after my fusion in 94. But as the months went by I gradually regained my strangth and independence. And even though I have had a neck injury from a motorcycle wreck in 82, I have only had a lumbar spinal fusion on L5 and L4s1. So keep posting and you will find that having an outlet will ease some of the stress, worry and anxiety as well.

  • Terrirn
    Terrirn sandra90064

    Posted

    I had a c5-c6 fusion in 1999 due to a herniated disc that impacted my spinal cord.    After surgery, I could only whisper and had problems swallowing.  Only liquids for 6 weeks.   I had to mash Vicodin in water and take, do you know how bitter meds are?   I still remember.   I could not lift my arms above my head and my legs were very weak.  We had to move into a one floor house.   I was in PT for 2 1/2 years and saw lots of docs.   I wanted my life back.   I loved sports.   I was a Critical Care Nurse and was not able to continue with that.  They told me I probably would never work again.   I was told I would not improve anymore at the 2 1/2 yr Mark.    Everything was slow, I did improve, not a lot, but I went into management and had a wonderful career.    Yes, I had to work harder, but it can be done.   I still have problems with my voice and throat when I get tired.   I have lots of muscle spasms, but I see a massage therapist every week who specializes in tissue mobilization.   I was not very patient, and. I can't do a lot of what,I,used to do, but it will get better for you.   I would be glad to answer any questions for you. 

    Terri

  • Terrirn
    Terrirn sandra90064

    Posted

    As a nurse, I said I had given so many meds in applesauce , I refused to do that. Ultimately, I did and it worked fine.    I had my neck brace on 10 weeks and then it took a while to strengthen those muscles again.    Nothing magic,  hard work and time.     Other people are terming to help, but our future is unknown.   That indeed was the hardest part.    If someone could have said, everything will be fine, you just have to go thru the process, but no guarantees.    I never got all of my feeling back in my feet and especially my left hand.   I am left handed too.     Just talking to other who have been there before you helps.     I found people on the Internet to talk to and I was not alone anymore.   Unfortunately, that site has been gone for several years.   
  • cynthia70714
    cynthia70714 sandra90064

    Posted

    Sandra

    Hi had a surgery to this day I don't know what was done all I know I woke up in so much pain being in the neck brace forever so I lost my voice it was squeaky in and out times all i could do is text it was frustrating I would say almost a year I was finally able to talk. But I had a bad problem couldn't eat. My ex bf was do nervous I lost do much weight cause everyone ate got stuck I had so many studies done and each one said it was fine, 4 years later still have a problem with gagging on food still, you'll be Ok just keep an eye on it.

    Cynthia ( Cindy,)

    • Terrirn
      Terrirn cynthia70714

      Posted

      has anyone done a Swallow Study under Flouroscopy?    They give you something to swallow and then watch under Flouroscopy to see if all those muscles are working correctly and in synch.   If everything isn't working correctly, you could aspirated food or fluid into your lungs and have an Aspiration Pneumonia.
    • sandra90064
      sandra90064 Terrirn

      Posted

      Yes my speech therapist had me do that.It was like a chalky milky liquid and some crackers .In my case I was swallowing fine but I still have trouble when swallowing 
    • cynthia70714
      cynthia70714 Terrirn

      Posted

      Terrirn,

      Yes I had one when I had my neck surgery they said everything was fine but I had surgery 3 years ago and still have problems swallowing makes no sense. I feel like it won't go down and have to choke up the food and than I t turns me off of eating the smallest bites can make me gag and choke

      But none of the fluids in lungs. Sorry

      Cynthia

    • Terrirn
      Terrirn cynthia70714

      Posted

      They said my swallow test was ok also.    I am thinking they have a range of normal and you and I must be on the lower range.  I still have problems swallowing sometimes, and I get really hoarse at times.   It is almost always when I am having a flare up of my neck problems.   My neck will really start hurting and it is like my neck is weak.   My massage therapist knows that she has to work on the anterior neck muscles and that usually helps some.  Does this sound like what happens to you?    I decided a long time ago,  that 

      most docs are not going to help me, they just don't know what else to do.

    • sandra90064
      sandra90064 Terrirn

      Posted

      Yes my neck is weak although I am sure it's still so early in my recovery but I notice it more when I am a little more active or after waking up.I am nervous about having PT on my neck but my PT says that once I get my collar off to return for some therapy on my neck.I suppose the doctor will have to order it as well.Right now I am at about a 5 in my neck and shoulders as far as pain.I wish there was some miracle pill for my nerves to get better.I hate that my primary doctor and ER kept saying oh it's sciatica and prescribe muscle relaxers or excercise while all along my spinal cord and nerves were being damaged.I also heard I'm too young to be having back problems.I am getting depressed whenever I think about had my not shrug off my issues I would have had a better chance of not have possible irreversible nerve damages.My NS says I am a walking miracle and he never seen a spine in as bad a shape as mine .I was suppose to have a 5 hr surgery that turned into 8 and instead of being release in 2 days I stay 3 weeks unable to move for 5 days because of the drain.I pray no more surgeries .
    • Terrirn
      Terrirn sandra90064

      Posted

      You are so lucky,  this whole thing could have been a disaster for you.   It isn't easy, but hopefully you will have an uneventful recovery now.    Do you think your surgeon and other doctors listen to you?      My doctor left the area after my surgery,  I had a lot of problems and I had to see an associate of my first doc.   

      Terri

    • sandra90064
      sandra90064 Terrirn

      Posted

      Well my primary doctor no but the best thing he ever did was refer me to a neurologist and after an EMT and 3 MRI's he referred me to a surgeon and he told me he wanted me in surgery ASAP and he would work on a non surgery day that's how surgery my case was and he came everyday I was in the hospital.I felt like a star😀 even the staff said I had the best neurosurgeon and he is picky about his patients.He listened and told me what to expect.He asked me what can he do for me which I liked.He really knows his stuff.I hate I cannot continue to see him but have to see a primary since he has really been there throughout the whole process.Even drawing pictures and going over with my husband .
  • sandra90064
    sandra90064

    Posted

    Not sure what I did today but feels like I took two steps backwards.Horrible pain like pins where they did the fusion.I have been tapering off my pain meds because I was feeling better but now wondering if I was premature in that decision and now I am paying the price.I was truly hoping that I would be pain free by now.....ugh.I am new at this anyone else can tell me if and when you were free of the pain?I know everyone is different and heals differently depending on what was done but just curious .
    • Terrirn
      Terrirn sandra90064

      Posted

      I will let you know if I ever have a day or two without pain, my surgery was 17 years ago.    There are too many unknowns this early in your recovery to know about pain.    I hope you are feeling better, did you. All your doctor to see what they thought.     Recovery can be very slow.   Do you still have your neck brace on?
    • sandra90064
      sandra90064 Terrirn

      Posted

      yes my brace will not be due to come off until June 25 or 8 weeks.I did not call my doctor it was after hours.I have been doing some reaching and a little sweeping but did not think that was over doing it but since I am new to all this I suppose it was a little to soon.I also tried sitting at my computer to see if I was going to be able to start back working soon.Maybe too soon 
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