ACDF Throat & GERD Syptoms(symptoms)

Hi All,

I recently had 3-level ACDF (C4-C7) in December 2010 due to herniated, bulging disks, stenosis, bone spurs, etc.  I had a rough go after surgery with increased arm pain, tingling and numbness, really awful shoulder pain, but with time that seems to be getting better.  Of course wearing that torture devise, the cervical collar was horrendous!  Anyway, I start physical therapy tomorrow which I'm hoping with improve my range of motion and getting some muscle strengthening in the neck.  My concern is I'm 8 weeks post-op and since about 2 weeks after the surgery, I developed what I'm assuming is acid reflux although I'm wondering if what I'm really feeling is irritation from the hardware.  It's very hard for me to determine.  I do have to burp quite frequently and as I said I have an almost constant feeling of something in the back of my throat.  I also seem to have to yawn a lot.  This has concerned me more than anything else post-surgery.  I can eat and swallow normally.   Has anyone experienced GERD issues and the feeling in throat I've described?  Thx.