Headaches and pain following anterior cervical discectomy.

[Sugar Fairy]

I am 2 years post-op anterior cervical discectomy with fusion to relieve compression on spinal cord at c5/c6 level.  Had lots of pain and progressive leg weakness, right arm pain, and unable to write + loss of balance.  I have had 18 months of constant neck pain since the surgery, worse in the night and on wakening.  Every morning waking with severe headache and pain radiating from back of head to over eyes and sometimes down one side of face. This  feels like a combination of nerve pain and a peculiar sensation, as if the bones at the back of my neck are being stretched from the inside.
Finally, after 18 months, the stretching pain has eased but I still have the headaches 2-3 times a week.  On my 2 year check with the Neurosurgeon he said the pain could have been due to the titanium cage having been too big and that my pain should continue to improve, or it is just that my body has taken longer to adjust to surgery.
I also still have difficulty swallowing and have always felt that something is pressing against my throat, and I have a weak voice, my arm pain is worse than before the surgery.  My legs are now stronger and the neck pain I had prior to the surgery has gone.
Do you think these headaches will go and the swallowing improve.  If not do I have any other options.  I was realistic about the surgery and did not expect miracles after having had this problem for over 24 years (now 48), but I am finding the pain so debilitating.  I have a desk job which does aggravate the symptoms. Also, will there be any long-term effects of the cage being too big.

Thank you

[dlml]

I had a C5-6 fusion and plating on March 13. I have degenerative disc disease and did not know it until I was involved in a MVA with the proverbial whiplash injury.  I had severe headaches, neck pain and  interscapular pain.  Since the surgery, I have a relief of the pain so far and am hopeful that this will continue. However, I cannot swallow anything but liquids.  I am wondering how long this might last? Is this temporary due to swelling of the esphogus?  Has anyone else experienced this and how long until you could eat a regular diet?

[dragon64]

Had c-4 to c-5 ACD w/fusion and hardware JAN 19 2006.  I do have headaches now that were not there before.  My neck pain isn't stabbing anymore, it's just a soreness feeling.  My reason for the surgery was to prevent paralysis.  The disk was hitting my spinal cord.  I still have numbness in my arms, but not as bad as before.  How long before I feel better is my question?

[spokenfor]

After reading everyone's comments I'm freaked. I had ACDwF last November. Everything seemed to be going extremely well until this past weekend. I have no idea if it is related, however over the weekend, the glands under my neck become swollen and I begun to run a low grade fever. Physically I was feeling fine until I layed down Monday night. I noticed discomfort once again in my neck. As of today the pain has increased and is now back in my shoulder and the top part of my arm.

Before surgery, the one thing my neurosurgern couldn't explain was the fact that the nerve damage (and spurs) were on the left side yet all my neck/shoulder/arm pain was on the right. ???  Prior to surgery xrays and MRIs of my neck and shoulder showed no issues with the right side. The right side is where the pain has returned.

I'm not sure if the pain is a result of increased activity or if it stems for other issues. I'm honestly sure sure if I'm up to starting the doctor and xray thing back up to only be told the xrays look fine. Pain meds have always been a last resort for me because I am in alcohol recovery and no better than to tempt fate. However the thoughts of living once again in the pain I was in 24/7 prior to surgery seems even less of an option.

I guess my question is has anyone done okay after surgery to later have the pain return and then the pain leave again?

Is it worth going back to the doctor to be told all has been done or could something else be going on? Which obvious I wouldn't know without returning to the doctor ...

[mimi chirodoc]

I had my cervical fusion Aug 2005 with a titanium plate over C3-4-5.   I had an injury March 2004.  My workers comp. wouldn't okay my surgery for 1 1/2 yrs.  I laid on the couch and drank for pain control.  No one believed I was injured.  I paid for most of my care for over a year.  Pre and Post op care consists of Chiropractic Adjustments, Acupuncture, Physical Therapy and Deep tissue massages (not soft feel good massages).  I was about 8-10 weeks post-op went I begged my Chiropractor to take x-rays and lightly adjust my neck.  It felt great!!  He was so careful.  It helped my cut down on my spasms and pain so I was able to decrease my drinking and pain pills alot.  I am a Chiropractor and Haven't been able to work at anything for over 2 years.  I've been in PT 7 months. It helps but it shifts my shouder and back causing deep spasms and pain.  So I get adjusted 1-3 times a week (as needed) and Deep massage. This helps me get back into PT and the cycle continues.  My deep pain comes and goes with increasing PT weights or repetitions.  My Phsysical Therapist says I'm very slow to progress due to the delay in surgery  and set backs in PT. The surgery was a success, the horrible deep pain I'm sure you guys felt was gone -even in recovery I could tell I was better.  My left shoulder and back continue to be extremely week.  I can't lift a 5 pound weight! (Rats!)  They're going to release me back to full time work.  I can't sit up right for the day, I have to lay down 2-4 hrs alost every day.  I don't know what else to do!?  I'm better but very slow to have any prgress.  Any suggestions?  Thanks

[rafester45]

Apparently my stroke like symptoms I had on December 25th, 2005 were not stroke symptoms at all. After three months of tests they found that an old injury to my neck was causing my multiple symtoms such as SEVERE headaches,numbness to my left side of my body, other symptoms such as memory loss and severe blurred vision. Also my left arm seemed like it was asleep. I had my surgery on April 10th 2006. Which consisted of two removed disks, two cadaver bone implants,six screws and a plate that covers c-5 through c-7. I was off work for nine weeks and put to light duty there after lifting no more than 20 lbs. My post surgery symptoms have improved greatly, after having some doubt as to the success of my surgery, I have found that I may be one of the fortunate ones. I am back to work at a sheet metal shop pretending to be on light duty but finding myself able to do most all the normal things I used to do. I know everyone's situation is unique. I had severe bone spurs and almost every time I feel like I might regret what I had done,all I need to do is the stretching exercises that my therapists taught me. I feel better in no time. So don't lay there and get bound up! Just get up and do something to get back to normal. My situation has done nothing but improve! GOOD LUCK
               Rafe from UTAH!

[rafester45]

Apparently my stroke like symptoms I had on December 25th, 2005 were not stroke symptoms at all. After three months of tests they found that an old injury to my neck was causing my multiple symtoms such as SEVERE headaches,numbness to my left side of my body, other symptoms such as memory loss and severe blurred vision. Also my left arm seemed like it was asleep. I had my surgery on April 10th 2006. Which consisted of two removed disks, two cadaver bone implants,six screws and a plate that covers c-5 through c-7. I was off work for nine weeks and put to light duty there after lifting no more than 20 lbs. My post surgery symptoms have improved greatly, after having some doubt as to the success of my surgery, I have found that I may be one of the fortunate ones. I am back to work at a sheet metal shop pretending to be on light duty but finding myself able to do most all the normal things I used to do. I know everyone's situation is unique. I had severe bone spurs and almost every time I feel like I might regret what I had done,all I need to do is the stretching exercises that my therapists taught me. I feel better in no time. So don't lay there and get bound up! Just get up and do something to get back to normal. My situation has done nothing but improve! GOOD LUCK
               Rafe from UTAH!