I was recently diagnosed by my ENT - with a confirmation from a CT scan w/contrast. Here is a summary of the final report from the radiologist … “the left styloid process is elongated with calcification of the left styloid ligament measuring up to 3.3 cm in length.” The elongated left styloid process flattens the lateral margin of the left internal jugular vein but does not exert any mass effect on the carotid artery.”
I am currently waiting on a second opinion appointment with Dr. Rui Fernandes (Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery) in Jacksonville, FL. He is on the Living with Eagle Syndrome doctor list for Florida but there is no accompanying comments.
I am 65 yrs. old. My tonsils were removed at age 31 … which is the reason my ENT gave for developing ES but after more research I realize that it is only one of several possible causes. I also have a fused disc at C6-7 (2002) with several degenerated discs accompanied by arthritis in the spine. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2006. I am treated regularly for pain that radiates all around the left side of my neck, shoulder and across my collar bone. I assumed all this was from my cervical spine issues.
Several years ago I began to experience a facial pain that made it very uncomfortable to wear my glasses. After several doctors and various scans I walked away with a possible diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia. I wasn’t convinced, but followed the neurologists advice anyway and began the prescription of Gabapentin - which was supposed to be titrating up to 600 mg 4x’s per day! I never actually made it to that high of a dose, even at my peak discomfort level and I’m pleased to say that these symptoms have gradually subsided to a manageable discomfort level with no Gabapentin at all.
Early this January, I developed a sore throat and kept waking up with a feeling of my throat being extremely dry on the left side. There was a “band” of red on that side and I assumed that I had a strep infection and went to my ENT. He said, no strep and performed a nasal endoscopy to look for possible causes — fortunately everything was okay. I followed his directions to gargle with salt water, use a saline rinse, as well as some prescriptions he had given me in the past for sinus issues. None of this gave me any relief. About two weeks later, I had a scheduled visit to my GP and mentioned that I am still having sore throat symptoms and asked if would do a strep test, just to ease my mind. It was negative. The GP then suggested that I had ulcers (canker sores) in my throat. So, back to my ENT. This time he decided to palpate the left side (ouch!) and said he believed it to be ES. He had seen one other case early in his career and he had performed successful inter-oral surgery on his patient. He then ordered the CT scan to confirm.
It feels like something is in my throat on the left side, my voice tires easily if I talk too long and when I reach back to apply lidocaine gel, I can easily feel a sharp projection under the skin on the left side just beyond the hard palette. I am aware of it all the time, but fortunately the pain has subsided somewhat since the month of January. I seem to have good days and bad days.
I am currently managing this with Hydrocodone w/APAP (that I have used off and on for several years for spinal issues), Lidocaine Gel, and loads of throat lozenges to combat the feeling of dryness.
This site will be a huge help in developing a list of questions and concerns to review with Dr. Fernandes when I see him. Any suggestions or comments would be most welcome.
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