# 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:** 7
**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 26, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/121 "2023-10-26T16:38:52Z")
It is frustrating, particularly that his office reached out to us wanting to help ES patients, and now seem to be overwhelmed! I really feel for you, especially that you’ve ‘dropped through the cracks’ as it were while others have been progressing forward…it does feel like health care is in pieces whatever country you’re in, UK and Canadian patients are waiting years for treatment if they can get it at all…but no consolation to you, sending you a big hug and will pray that you’re able to move forward 🤗 🙏 ---
**Author:** ![lilwider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/97f17d/32.png) [@lilwider](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/lilwider)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 1:29am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/122 "2023-10-27T01:29:20Z")
I’m saddened by the experience you have had. If there is anything I can help with when I talk with the office, please don’t hesitate to ask. ---
**Author:** ![akc](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/akc/32/7557_2.png) [@akc](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/akc)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2023, 6:46am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/123 "2023-10-27T06:46:18Z")
I just wanted to say how sorry I am for all that you are going through. I hope you soon get the next appointment you need so that you can get back on track. ---
**Author:** ![slekeille](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwitheagle.org/slekeille/32/6569_2.png) [@slekeille](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/slekeille)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2023, 2:03pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/124 "2023-10-29T14:03:18Z")
I know I’m late to the party here, but I’ve spent some time reading this entire thread (and have a way to go), and wanted to say I was also initially diagnosed by a dentist! I went in where I had an abscess since I woke up with the sudden sensation of a foreign body poking into my throat (I’ve never had an abscess or other dental emergency so it was my best fearful guess). One hour and a set of panoramic images later and the dentist was telling me I had an issue I needed to address that he’d only seen a few times, and that he was unfortunately unsure where he could refer me. Then the journey to see a specialist began and I just saw mine this past week! Hang in there. This forum is an amazing source of support as well! Edit: I finally caught up. I am so sorry for all you’ve been through. I was abruptly ghosted by the first surgeon I consulted with after being told he wanted me in surgery no more than four weeks out from that consultation, and it was heart breaking. Now I am so glad he did ghost me (and I hope whatever personal issues he has going on get better), because the next surgeon I saw this past week is who I was meant to be helped by. I feel it in my bones. However, the extra months I spent waiting to see surgeon #2 were incredibly stressful and the whole ordeal with #1 was very disappointing. I had to remind myself doctors are human, and even with a special responsibility not to abandon patients they are allowed to need time off and their struggles are valid too. I hope you’re able to get in to see someone new so soon. ---
**Author:** ![CoHDa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9e8a1a/32.png) [@CoHDa](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/CoHDa)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2023, 5:52pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/125 "2023-10-29T17:52:23Z")
Thanks so much for airmailing the hug and prayer, @Jules! They mean the world to this exhausted body. At this point, it’s clear to me that the outreach from the office was really shouldered by Claudia. She disclosed her own personal frustrations with the medical community as a person living with a chronic illness. She never told me her diagnosis, but made it clear that she has encountered many of the same issues that we here on this forum have. For that reason, she truly understood the frustration, depression, and anxiety caused by needless waiting and long-suffering. Her departure is a significant loss for the office that impacted my care immediately. It is a shame and embarrassment to the global medical community that patients anywhere and everywhere are subjected to such neglect and carelessness. I swear if I won the lottery, I’d open a clinic especially for the diagnosis and treatment of ES. Until that day arrives, the best prescription is prayer and being surrounded by good people and energy. Blessings x ---
**Author:** ![CoHDa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9e8a1a/32.png) [@CoHDa](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/CoHDa)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2023, 6:39pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/126 "2023-10-29T18:39:18Z")
@lilwider there is nothing left to say to the office at this point. It was made crystal clear that my care is the least of their concerns. If Claudia was still there or even Kelsey, then I’d keep trying, because I know they’d make a concerted effort to get and stay on top of the issue. Also, that it hasn’t occurred to Costantino to ask “What happened to my patient?” (or if he has, he hasn’t bothered to try to rectify the situation with me) has altogether diminished my goodwill and confidence in his ability to treat me. It is incredibly sad. ---
**Author:** ![CoHDa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9e8a1a/32.png) [@CoHDa](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/CoHDa)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2023, 7:08pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/127 "2023-10-29T19:08:39Z")
@slekeille thank you for sharing your experience. I am so glad you found another physician to treat you, after being inexplicably abandoned by the first. For clarification, I just want to say, for anyone else reading this, patient abandonment is unlawful, at least it is in New York State. While I certainly understand that physicians are human and need time off, they can’t simply ghost their patients. That would be a breach of duty. While I hope it isn’t a common practice, knowing our healthcare system, it probably happens more than people realize. I wish you every success with surgeon #2 and hope surgeon #1 has gotten their act together. ---
**Author:** ![lilwider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/97f17d/32.png) [@lilwider](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/lilwider)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2023, 7:32pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/128 "2023-10-30T19:32:40Z")
I’m sorry that you had that experience and I understand your frustrations. I am hoping and praying that you find resolution to your symptoms.sending a hug. ---
**Author:** ![Thans](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/45deac/32.png) [@Thans](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Thans)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2023, 12:08pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/129 "2023-11-02T12:08:21Z")
Hi! There are two others who have had your experience. Ignored. Seems like their office has shut down. No response. Super sad. I saw him 3 weeks ago for my initial consult. Nothing was ever put in my chart. Insurance calls went unanswered. My calls and emails to Jules, unanswered. Astonishingly unprofessional. ---
**Author:** ![Thans](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/45deac/32.png) [@Thans](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Thans)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2023, 12:25pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/130 "2023-11-02T12:25:19Z")
I just read through more of this post. I agree that we should’ve been alerted and kept in touch with. I still haven’t been told he’s out for 3 weeks. Just left in limbo. For another patient, before he left, Dr. C hung her scan upside down and kept referring to the wrong styloid that needed surgery. When patient pointed it out, he said in frustration that he just needed the radiology note, saying “I just do what they tell me to do, I need the note”. Sooo many issues with all of this, including Alma’s horrific inappropriate comment to me before walking out of the room. I suppose Chantel felt bad that my script for CT scans were never sent in. So she actually submitted them without clinical notes. Then the office ignored the insurance requests to submit clinical data. Folks, I don’t see how it can get any worse than this. ---
**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:** [November 2, 2023, 10:59pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/131 "2023-11-02T22:59:49Z")
I am so sorry, @Thans, that this happened to you, too. Clearly there is something off w/ Dr. C’s office & perhaps with Dr. C himself. He’s clearly a gifted surgeon based on the testimonies of several of our members, however, there’s been a serious hiccup in his medical practice for the time being. I hope Dr. C is able to recover from whatever is ailing him & that once he’s back up to speed his office staff will get it together & run the office more professionally. As sad as it is that you & others have been left in limbo, we must also try to have compassion on Dr. C & his office staff since we have no idea what’s happening there. The cause of the disorganization & poor medical consults could be much bigger than we can imagine so, as I said above, let’s hope there is resolution to everything that’s wrong & that Dr. C can return strong & able to continue helping his patients at the level they expect & deserve. In the meantime, if you’re able to travel to NC, seeing Dr. Hackman would be a good back-up plan. ---
**Author:** ![Brisbanite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@Brisbanite](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Brisbanite)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2023, 1:46am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/132 "2023-11-03T01:46:29Z")
More than 3 weeks… I was supposed to have a consult on the 9th, the day after he was supposed to return. I got a call at 5 yesterday, I was told due to an emergency he would not be back until the 30th. 5 weeks by my math… Something has clearly happened. This is not typical for any surgeon. ---
**Author:** ![Thans](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/45deac/32.png) [@Thans](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Thans)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2023, 2:06pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/133 "2023-11-03T14:06:24Z")
Should’ve posted this here, sorry. Re: Dr. C, I have compassion for people struggling. I knew there was an irritated state about him when I saw him. I recorded the session, it’s clear as day. That is separate from what I’m going to say next. It isn’t excusable that there STILL isn’t someone who is calling his patients who are ill and waiting. Without this forum I would still be wondering / waiting. Some of what’s occurring is medical malpractice. It’s one thing for me to not be able to submit a bill to ins in the window I had. It’s another thing that over 3 weeks later there’s no visit note in my chart. And yet another thing that my scans were never requested by the doctor. And finally that my calls and e-mails went unanswered. BUT, there should be no people prepping for surgery that are still unaware that the doctors office isn’t up and running. I don’t say this in anger; I say this because I know how this should’ve and could’ve been addressed. All systems failed there. ---
**Author:** ![CoHDa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9e8a1a/32.png) [@CoHDa](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/CoHDa)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2023, 4:00pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/134 "2023-11-03T16:00:35Z")
I thoroughly empathize with you, @Thans. This forum has contributions from some of the most compassionate people that I have come across in this long journey. So, I don’t think that there is any question about compassion for whatever it is that Dr. Costantino is experiencing. The issue is not about what precipitated the abandonment of patients, it’s the abandonment. New York State law is very clear about the matter. Every day doctors and other medical professionals fall ill and/or have to take leave for one reason or another. There is no doubt that they too are human beings susceptible to health and other crises. But having said that, that does not exempt physicians from the legal and moral obligation to communicate with their patients and ensure that there is appropriate medical coverage in their absence. For someone awaiting surgery after years of searching for a diagnosis and then an experienced provider, having the door to long-awaited treatment suddenly slam shut with no explanation is painful. It exacerbates stress and suffering, not only for myself, but for my family and friends as well, who have walked this road with me. And now the process has to start all over again, getting referrals, sending medical records and imaging CDs, establishing a new patient/provider relationship, and yet again finding myself at the back of the line waiting and hoping that this time I’ll actually receive the much needed treatment that has been so elusive. It is incredibly exhausting and demoralizing. So, I don’t at all believe there is a lack of compassion for the doctor. The problem is a profound lack of care and consideration for the patients. Those of us here on the forum are “fortunate” insofar as we have some rudimentary idea that something has happened. My heart goes out to those not on the forum who are sitting at home riddled with anxiety and losing the will to live, because no one at the doctor’s office will respond to their calls or emails. ---
**Author:** ![Thans](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/45deac/32.png) [@Thans](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Thans)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2023, 4:53pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/135 "2023-11-03T16:53:37Z")
EXACTLY. Thank you for stating it so well. That is exactly the place where I’m at, starting over again. I got a gap exception, it wasn’t easy. It’s not the first time, he was dr #3 since the eagles diagnosis. I am 23 years into the process of trying to figure out puzzling pieces to my health which are now finally coming together. To experience this once again from docs (the discrepant opinion, the neglect/lack of follow through, lack of office procedure, etc), it’s all quite a harrowing journey. I fear I might have a vascular case. If Dr. Annino doesn’t do it, it leaves Hepworth who has a looooong wait. Or Bolognese. Same for him. Hackman doesn’t do vascular. Amy ideas? Thanks ---
**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:** [November 4, 2023, 2:14am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/136 "2023-11-04T02:14:36Z")
@Thans & @CoHDa - I couldn’t agree with you more regarding the abandonment by Dr. C & his office staff. I would have expected him to assign someone in his office to contact patients waiting in the wings to let them know there would be an interruption in care even if it’s for an indeterminate period of time. Offering a referral to another provider who could offer care in a more timely fashion or at least whose waitlist you could get on would have been the icing on the cake. I can’t say how sorry I am this has happened to the two of you plus possibly others on our forum & those, whom, as you observed, may not have any clue what’s going on. Besides Dr. Hackman, I don’t know who else to suggest, maybe Dr. Cognetti? Dr. Fargen is new at ES surgery but was trained by Dr. Hepworth so I expect that one day, he will also be a “go to” for our vascular ES members. ---
**Author:** ![Thans](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/45deac/32.png) [@Thans](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Thans)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 2:33am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/137 "2023-11-04T02:33:04Z")
Thanks so much. Yes, I left my name with dr cognetti’s office today. So I still don’t know if need to worry about a vascular surgeon. I’m guessing my external carotid artery is being impinged from a lymph nodule. I think that removing it would fix the problem. Same goes for a venous issue I think I have on top of my head. I don’t think it’s related to ossification but my neck vertebrae issue. So with that said, can’t some minor blood vessel issues work themselves out after ossification removal? I also don’t know that my report points to removing the styloids…. But the ligaments attached to hyoid bone. But I know little about this. Below were the findings, if anyone can weigh in I’d appreciate it! My head/neck MRA/MRV w contrast is a week from today. So grateful for this forum, all the support and education! ---
**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:** [November 4, 2023, 4:42am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/138 "2023-11-04T04:42:15Z")
The link or image of your findings didn’t appear in your post, @Thans. Can you please repost them. Thx! ---
**Author:** ![Thans](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/45deac/32.png) [@Thans](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/u/Thans)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 5:01am UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/139 "2023-11-04T05:01:30Z")
Woops, sorry. This is the finding in the report: There is ossification of the stylohyoid ligament but it does not extend to the level of the hyoid. Length of the ossification extends approximately 2.7 cm on the right and 2.8 cm on the left. At the most distal aspect of the stylohyoid ligament where it inserts on the hyoid, there is ossification of 4 mm on the right and 4.5 mm on the left. There is an 8 mm right parotid nodule which does appear to be present on both the 2022 and 2019 scans. This is likely an intraparotid lymph node. At C4-5, loss of disc height with bulging disc is present. Small central herniation seen. There is moderate canal stenosis and mild foraminal stenosis. At C5-6, bulging disc and osseous ridging seen most prominent in the right paracentral region. There is at least moderate canal stenosis. —- I used radiant to view 3D, i can attach my pics tomorrow if needed. Ty ---
**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:** [November 4, 2023, 1:52pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699/140 "2023-11-04T13:52:49Z")
That’s a bit confusing; it sounds as if most of the stylo-hyoid ligament is calcified as it mentions at the hyoid end there’s calcification on both sides! [Previous page](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699.md?page=6) [Next page](https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/t/consult-with-dr-costantino/13699.md?page=8)