I kinda “delayed” everything to see how I feel in the next few months since that appointment. Lately I been feeling an extremely pokey feeling especially at night in my throat with many other newish symptoms. I got Covid 3 weeks ago and since then my symptoms flared up to the worst they ever been. I’m thinking it’s due to all that inflammation hard to describe what I feel in my neck this week. I did lose my voice 3 days ago and never got it back fully prob needs some time. I called there office today and see what I can do finically and hope to get covered by my insurance. I’m Thinking of get the styloids out and maybe get that c1 shaved (if necessary) things will get better slowly Again it’s just really hard to tell on what I’m feeling since it’s been so long where I felt “normal”. But the poking strangling painful feeling especially laying down (when feel it the most usually) is horrible also when it’s really bad I start to cough. I’m thinking maybe like what I said before due to all the inflammation especially around the larynx throat area. Wish My state had someone very experienced to remove my styloids like Dr. Osbourne Dr. Hackman . Dr . Constanto ext….Dr M grulich in milwuakee said he can take my styloids out around early 2025 he seemed really nice . I also consulted with Dr. s nalwa when i saw him on the doctors list, he’s office is 3 hours away. I spoke him in start of 2025 as well. I kinda felt discouraged from him and somewhat from Dr. Gruelich when i mentioned my symptoms like brain fog feelings an stuff, they said eagle syndrome doesn’t cause that. When I had my second appointment with Dr. Gruelich he said hes not sure if it will help with all those brain fog symptom and other symptoms I mentioned, but he prob then realized ( when he said he wasn’t sure the second the time) that it could be possible from the structure where the styloid is. Dr. Nalwa (the one listed in the group) said no it doesn’t cause that and was straight to the point. Him saying that and having some family members next to me I felt like I was misheard and Made my family confused on what symptoms this horrible disease can cause… if that makes sense…. but it’s nobody’s fault at the end of the day. It was more vascular symptoms for a couple years now I’m getting physical symptoms as well especially ever since getting Covid things got worse pain wise . When I talked to those doctors those times I had more brain Fog slight Pain spacey symptoms. Thanks guys for always listening and giving me feedback your guys are the best 
. Ps been sober for 60 days now I was using substances here and there to cope but I then realized it’s not worth it because I know recovery can be possible having this. I wrote so much but I hope someone else can relate and can help them Too. I forgot to mention my pulistile tinitus ( almost like zaps) got a lot worse especially after physical activity and different positions especially after the activity.. idk so much going on but I’ll always hold onto hope..
It’s really common for any sort of virus infection to ramp ES symptoms up, as you say more than likely the inflammation affects those areas already inflamed, & Covid especially seems to hit our bodies hard…
If you do have brain fog & spacey sort of feeling that is common with vascular ES, don’t be put off by doctors who dismiss this (the doctor who diagnosed me said that the styloids couldn’t affect blood vessels and we know that’s wrong!) , and if your family don’t believe you then maybe show them posts on this forum or print off research papers which mention IJV compression & the symptoms of that to show them!
Keep strong, and maybe follow up with Dr Costantino once you’re over the Covid properly?
Thanks so much I’m trying my best! And yeah definitely. If a doctor is experienced with taking the styloid out it should relief symptoms? I was thinking maybe to consult with the local ent and see if I get them out but I’m not sure…
So many symptoms Can’t keep track can different positions of neck turning or laying down trigger headaches and episodes of feeling more “out of it” I’m Feeling really lost and guys and haven’t been feeling well… things must have got way worse after Covid im not sure anymore. This brain fog is crucial and never been like this.
@Khalil5oo - The brain fog is a strong indicator of internal jugular vein compression. You had a consult w/ Dr. Costantino, correct? If so, & if he was interested in helping you, he is the surgeon you should consider for surgery. Your local ENT will most likely not have a clue about how to do IJV decompression surgery & might not even remove enough styloid to truly help resolve your symptoms. If you do consult someone more local, you will need to bring up the subject of IJV compression & if (s)he sees that in your imaging, you’ll need to ask how they would approach IJV decompression.
Here are questions to ask any doctor you are considering for a styloidectomy/IJV decompression:
**Questions To Ask Your Doctor:
- How many ES surgeries have they done and what was the success rate?
- Whether they’re going to operate externally, or intraoral- through the mouth. Whilst some members have had successful surgeries with intraoral, external is better for seeing all the structures, to be able to remove more of the styloids, & also there’s less chance of infection.
- You need to ask how much of the styloid he’ll remove- as much as possible is best- & anything left needs to be smoothed off. The piece needs to be removed too- some doctors have snapped it off & left it in! If the styloid is only shortened a bit it can still cause symptoms.
- If your stylohyoid ligaments are calcified, then any calcified section needs to be removed too.
- There’s usually swelling after surgery; you could ask if a drain’s put in to reduce swelling, or if steroids are prescribed. It’s not essential, but can help with recovery a bit.
- Will it be a day case surgery or will you need to stay in?
- Obviously ask the risks- we know from experience on here that temporary damage to the facial nerve is quite common, and also the hypoglossal nerve and the accessory nerve. These usually recovery very quickly but in some cases members have needed physiotherapy. There is also the risk of catching a blood vessel or having a stroke, but these are very rare.
- Ask if the surgeon monitors the nerves- this should be done to see if there’s stress on the nerves to avoid damage as mentioned above.
- What painkillers will be prescribed afterwards.
- Ask about recovery- most doctors either down play it or are genuinely unaware of how long the recovery can take!
- We have heard that occasionally doctors use surgical clips which are left in, it’s been suggested that these could interfere with chiropractic adjustments if needed post-surgery, so something to consider, and also we have now seen members who’ve been left in pain from the clips and needed further surgery to remove them, so do ask if they might be used.
- If you have or suspect you have internal jugular vein compression, you’ll need to ask the doctors approach for decompressing the IJV.