# Consult with Dr. Costantino **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [June 26, 2023, 1:37am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699 "2023-06-26T01:37:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2023, 5:53pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/81 "2023-09-23T17:53:40Z")
The float tanks (there is more than one now) also offer the same “package” as you mentioned for the i-sopod. I’ll look that one up since you mentioned it. 😊 ---
**Author:** ![lilwider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/97f17d/32.png) [@lilwider](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/lilwider)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2023, 9:17pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/82 "2023-09-28T21:17:05Z")
I saw Dr. C today and asked me to get the q collar as well. I am waiting to hear from his office to schedule another appointment with Dr C & Dr Tobias together to get a game plan. ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2023, 2:11am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/83 "2023-09-29T02:11:44Z")
Thank you for letting me know. It’s so odd that he was unprepared for two appts then suddenly jumped on things for you. Perhaps this interest is good timing because it may give you a better idea of whom to see for surgery. I would still make an appt w/ Dr. Hackman unless he’s scheduling next week 😆 (I’ve read it’ll be Dec or Jan) - so you have a solid surgery commitment if for some reason Dr. C doesn’t work out. ---
**Author:** ![CoHDa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9e8a1a/32.png) [@CoHDa](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/CoHDa)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2023, 6:49am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/84 "2023-10-01T06:49:53Z")
I have still not gotten the q collar. I plan to go try one on hopefully Monday morning. It took me an entire week to move, and I wanted to get that out of the way first. I am scheduled for another appointment with Dr. Costantino this Wednesday. His office called last week and asked me to make sure that I’d tried the collar before the next appointment. I want to believe that, at this juncture, Dr. Costantino should be able to tell me whether he thinks I’m a candidate for surgery or not. ---
**Author:** ![lilwider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/97f17d/32.png) [@lilwider](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/lilwider)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2023, 7:37am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/85 "2023-10-01T07:37:40Z")
Yes! I would think it’s quite obvious that surgery is the answer. But maybe it’s a matter of how involved and what places to pay extra attention to- getting a game plan? There has been a lot of discussion about hyoid bone syndrome and carotid involvement, are you having any like symptoms? Is Dr Tobias going to be in the next appointment also? That is supposedly my next appointment which they have not scheduled yet, they have to coordinate with Dr Tobias’ assistant. My collar is coming in Tuesday, though I wish I had seen your post about a sporting good store and trying it on there. Please be careful, don’t pass out or put yourself at harm in a public place. I’ll be thinking of you Wednesday keeping my fingers crossed. ---
**Author:** ![lilwider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/97f17d/32.png) [@lilwider](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/lilwider)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2023, 12:19pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/86 "2023-10-03T12:19:54Z")
How did you make it with the q collar ---
**Author:** ![CoHDa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9e8a1a/32.png) [@CoHDa](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/CoHDa)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 3:01am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/87 "2023-10-04T03:01:20Z")
I did not enjoy the experience, at all. The collar was immediately uncomfortable, like being choked. I needed to repeatedly clear my throat as it started closing in, and the sensation of being speared by a pointed styloid became far more pronounced, more so than usual. The person working at the store (he was restringing a lacrosse stick when I walked in) was pretty enthusiastic about the collars. He suggested I take a couple of laps around the place to get my blood pumping in order to get a better sense of how the collar works and feels. One abbreviated lap was all it took for the stabbing pain to start, and twenty minutes of wear - total - was all it took to wreck the remainder of my day. I couldn’t imagine wearing the collar for the length of a match or a game, and certainly not for 3 hours, which is the daily limit. My left side, from the base of my sternocleidomastoid up to my eye and orbit, became extremely congested. Apart from the compression, I suspect the collar aggravated a lot of the inflammation I also deal with. So, even still today, my left side is feeling pretty salty about the whole experience. Did your collar arrive, @lilwider? ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 3:26am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/88 "2023-10-04T03:26:33Z")
Sounds like Dr. C will be satisfied w/ the results the collar presented for you & will grant you surgery @CoHDa. What a relief, but I’m sorry you’re still suffering from the “experiment”. ---
**Author:** ![lilwider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/97f17d/32.png) [@lilwider](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/lilwider)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 12:08pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/89 "2023-10-04T12:08:31Z")
I am so sorry, but I guess that is what Dr C is wanting. Mine came in a day early, Monday. I put it on and used the measuring tool that was given and it was a little too big but I still used it. Head pressure, eye pressure and loud pulsatile tinnitus started almost immediately. The lightheaded uneasy feeling followed by having troubles thinking concentrating. I felt as if I was 2 steps behind my movements. Headache strangulation-poking all reared there ugly head. And I didn’t run a lap, lol. I can’t imagine what it will be like when I get the tighter size. Will Dr Tobias be at your consult today? I’m scheduled for Oct 19. Good luck today- keep in touch ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 2:07pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/90 "2023-10-04T14:07:48Z")
Sounds like your results will also give you a surgical date, @lilwider. I’m sorry the collar ramped up your symptoms. It seems silly to have to invest the $ for something it only took minutes of use to confirm your diagnosis. Can you return it because it’s the wrong size? ---
**Author:** ![CoHDa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9e8a1a/32.png) [@CoHDa](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/CoHDa)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 5:48pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/91 "2023-10-04T17:48:05Z")
At this point @Isaiah_40_31 , I can’t say how he’s using the q collar or measuring its efficacy. It seems to me, however, that the same data (painful symptoms) can be elicited or measured using a $4.99 headband from Walmart placed around the neck. Heck, I stopped parting my hair down the middle and pulling it into ponytails positioned low behind my ears, because even just plain hair elastics pulling my scalp aggravate my symptoms. My next appointment with Dr. Costantino is later today, and I do intend to ask him more about his use of the collar as well as inform him that it’s not necessary to ask patients to pay $200 for a headband that can be tried on for free at a sporting goods store (or the hair accessories aisle at Walmart or Target). @lilwider you asked about other surgeons at my appointment today. Dr. Costantino didn’t mention anyone else and neither did his staff, so right now there’s a question mark hanging over my head about how the appointment is going to go and who will/won’t be present. ---
**Author:** ![lilwider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/97f17d/32.png) [@lilwider](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/lilwider)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 5:52pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/92 "2023-10-04T17:52:31Z")
I’m not sure if I can return, but I consider $200 investment in my health a small price to pay off it helps Dr. C. Come up with trail blazing ways of helping us. I have many athletes in my circle. I will pass it down to help others hopefully avoid concussion ---
**Author:** ![Jules](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/jules/32/404_2.png) [@Jules](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Jules)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 6:25pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/93 "2023-10-04T18:25:48Z")
@CoHDa so sorry that the collar really aggravated your symptoms; proves a point but not nice to be suffering even more, & expensive too! I hope your appt goes okay & will be interested to see what Dr C says 🤗 @lilwider sorry that you felt worse afterwards too 🤗 ---
**Author:** ![CoHDa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9e8a1a/32.png) [@CoHDa](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/CoHDa)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 6:30pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/94 "2023-10-04T18:30:49Z")
Absolutely! Pass it on to someone else who could really benefit from it, like a student athlete. That was my thought if I had had to purchase it. I would have given it to one of my nieces or nephews. The other option would’ve been to sell it on FB Marketplace at a discount. The man in the store told me that there are no returns or refunds once the packaging is opened, with the only exception being an exchange for a different size. I’m all for making a nominal investment in innovative scientific research. And if the same research can be performed with significantly reduced costs to the patients who most benefit from it, that should certainly be taken into consideration too. ---
**Author:** ![CoHDa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9e8a1a/32.png) [@CoHDa](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/CoHDa)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 10:00pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/95 "2023-10-04T22:00:02Z")
So, I just had a fairly quick appointment with Dr. Costantino. Kelsey, his NP, just delivered her first baby, meaning she’s obviously not in the office. She did say last week that she was going out on maternity leave, and it seems she did so with no time to spare. Her absence is already being profoundly felt by Dr. Costantino, who didn’t have my films on hand for the appointment and who said Kelsey “left large shoes to fill.” Films aside, I was told that because the Q-Collar aggravated my symptoms, it was supporting data, albeit anecdotal (his words, not mine), that I am a candidate for surgery. But first, he wants to confer with Dr. Tobias to determine whether a venogram with Dr. Patsalides is in order. If so, that would mean making a trip across the state for the procedure, because Dr. Costantino said he’d want it done there. ---
**Author:** ![lilwider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/97f17d/32.png) [@lilwider](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/lilwider)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 11:00pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/96 "2023-10-04T23:00:53Z")
Thinking about giving it to Dr C to let others borrow it so they don’t have to invest. ---
**Author:** ![lilwider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/97f17d/32.png) [@lilwider](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/lilwider)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2023, 11:07pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/97 "2023-10-04T23:07:40Z")
Yeah, Kelsea had the baby the day I was there. She is on top of everything! I met Alma who seems good as well. A shame it was a quick appointment, telehealth? Or in person? Hopefully you get somewhere with Dr. Patsilades because I already saw him and he said from my MRI with contrast my compression wasn’t bad enough for him to do veno. It still confuses me that turning my head makes things worse and he was judging it by a standard one position laying down test. Well at least he did say you are a surgery candidate. I’ve read others surgery the Dr found more troubles-compression when they were doing surgery that testing didn’t reveal. Sending good thoughts, hoping you are feeling a little better about things. ---
**Author:** ![Isaiah\_40\_31](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/isaiah_40_31/32/3054_2.png) [@Isaiah\_40\_31](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Isaiah_40_31)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 3:38am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/98 "2023-10-05T03:38:10Z")
@lilwider - you’re absolutely right about testing not always telling the whole story. It’s quite frequently mentioned here by a member after his/her surgery that the styloid was much longer or ligaments more calcified or vascular compression much more complicated than any scan showed. There’s nothing like the human eye to see what’s really going on. ---
**Author:** ![CoHDa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9e8a1a/32.png) [@CoHDa](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/CoHDa)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 5:40am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/99 "2023-10-05T05:40:58Z")
I couldn’t remember Alma’s name until you mentioned it, @lilwider. She was introduced at my appointment last week, but she wasn’t there yesterday. It was the first time seeing Dr. Costantino without a member of his staff present. I don’t know where Alma was. But yes, it was another telehealth appointment. Shantel reached out before the end of the day to tell me Dr. Costantino asked her to schedule the appointment next week with both himself and Dr. Tobias. So, there’s that. I’m hoping we can just bypass Dr. Patsalides at this point and cut to the chase, because I too know from experience that surgeons really don’t know what’s going on until after an incision is made. Dr. Costantino has several times expressed concern about patients waking up after surgery and immediately saying they don’t feel any better, as if to indicate the surgery was a failure. In response, I asked him how those same patients were feeling a year later, and he said he didn’t know. After I had shoulder surgery, I was upset about the outcome and thought I’d made a serious mistake agreeing to the procedure. But a year later, my shoulder feels so much better. It simply needed a reasonable amount of time to rehab and heal. And that’s the point I made to Dr. Costantino. Hesitating to identify a patient as a good surgical candidate, because another patient came out of surgery and didn’t immediately feel better is not the rule I want used to decide my surgical options. I’m grateful for the diligence and caution taken where my case is concerned. That said, I just want to get to the surgery and be on the road to recovery before the year’s end. ---
**Author:** ![lilwider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/97f17d/32.png) [@lilwider](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/lilwider)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2023, 6:58pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/100 "2023-10-05T18:58:44Z")
I’m hoping that you don’t have to see Dr pastilades as well, I don’t think I was in the office within 5 minutes when he more or less told me that he’s not concerned because I only have mild jugular compression. I still can’t wrap my head around me being in only one position on imaging when I get triggered when I move my head. Reading so many others experiences there are people who are getting the dynamic tests and it shows all of the compression. I’m glad that you’re going to see Dr Tobias and Dr Constantino together, that sounds like positive progress. And I agree with you 100%, I think it would be ignorant to think you’re going to be feeling better as soon as you’re finished with your surgery. I know me personally I’m not expecting anything for months and if I have some relief right away I’ll consider it a gift but deep down I know it could possibly take up to a year to feel better. I’m accepting of that to sacrifice a year, versus the last two and a half years of mourning the old me. Keep in touch good luck [Previous page](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699.md?page=4) [Next page](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699.md?page=6)