@sbtheplumber1
I really feel for you and agree that surgeons and some doctors don’t want to look further after surgery. They seem to give up and don’t want to deal with chronic pain patients which is why you need to get new doctors and 2nd, 3rd, + opinions. You really need to advocate for yourself and not give up no matter how dysfunctional the healthcare system is. I also had swallowing and speaking issues and I believe tied to neurological issues at the cervical spine. You may have cervical spondylotic myelopathy. That is what I was finally diagnosed with. Multiple doctors, surgeons and neurologists ignored my MRI results showing spinal cord flattening/compression. and spinal cord neurological symptoms in arms/hands, legs/feet, etc. which caused weakness, pain, numbness, difficulty walking (like I had cement boots on), loss of bladder control, dropping things/weak hands/poor handwriting, etc. Have you read your cervical spine MRI report to see if it shows spinal cord flattening/compressions, slipped disc or disc bulge pressing on spinal cord/nerve roots, bone spurs/osteophytes, and cervical spine levels with the worst problems? You need to get copies of your MRI reports and CDs so you can take them to new doctors in the future for fresh eyes on your issues. After 6 years of going in circles, I finally went to a new spine surgeon and in my first appointment, he looked at my former MRI and listened to all my symptoms, had me walk for him (which showed my balance issues), did a few simple tests in the office, and said he wanted to get an updated MRI. The 2nd appointment he confirmed that I had cervical spondylotic myelopathy and it was serious and that he recommended surgery or my symptoms will worsen and be permanent (permanent injury to spinal cord affecting all communications from brain to/from your body below the cervical spine levels of compression). This is possibly causing more problems or aggravating your lumbar spine issues (I also have L3-S1 problems and need surgery).