Just saw your response! Thanks so much! I’m probably the only patient who complained of eagle’s symptoms for years. My facial nerve is affected, who is so wary of surgery!
Hi Jennifer,
My facial nerves were affected too much not in what I think in a big way compared to other major pain areas. Its hard to sort out the nerve issues caused from TMJ and then from the eagles. I do know that some of the facial pressure I was feeling before has subsided but it is still early. I was warned TMJ would kick up after surgery and it has. I have no doubt there was nerve compression causing pressure in my neck,ear & face. As several on the blog have indicated, they had facial drooping and tongue issues after surgery but after all the nerves calmed down, it went away. I was lucky that I had none of those issue after surgery. Based on my operative report, I know the steps taken to protect and hopefully mitigate any nerve problems. Dr Samji monitors the major nerves via EMG while doing surgery.
I have complained to many docs, chiropractors and massage people about this bump behind my lower ear. It felt like a hard bony lump that when I would press on it would cause pain everywhere up into my face and ear. I cant say it was the source of all but it was problematic. Even Dr. S blew me off when I brought it up. Well after surgery that bump was gone and I dont know what is was. I do believe the styloid is further back and it has to do with the parotid gland. I do know that lymph nodes were inflamed in neck and that the calcifications (on ligaments and styloid process) are sources of constant inflammation - I think causing swelling. There is some literature talking about the myelin sheath - an insulating layer that surrounds the nerves. I read over the year about this sheath breaking down…more recently especially in woman as we age. Eagles seems to rear more in 50-60+ generally.
Back in February when I got confirmation of Eagles, I asked my pain doc to give me steroid shot and nerve block in neck to calm down the area while waiting for surgery. It really helped. Prior to surgery you get injections of steroids in the neck and then take them for 10 days after. I believe that once this source of inflammation is removed and swelling subsides, along with nerve decompression addressed (if needed) the nerves start to calm down. Ive had several nerve decompression surgeries in the past, one in bracial plexus area. Because of my ehlers danlos, I lay down scar tissue easily. I know you are wary of surgery but I suspect once inflammation - calcifications removed and any nerves decompressed, your facial nerve issues might get handled. To put it this way…doing nothing isnt going to improve anything. I was in so much pain, I opted to do something. There are risks in any surgery and no guarantees all symptoms will subside. For me, I hoped for at least some relief. Any relief was worth the risk. I knew one of the best in country was doing my surgery further improving my odds of success. It was an easy choice for me to have surgery.
This is a very interesting article I found called “Reappraisal of Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia”.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214751917302037
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Thanks for the detailed & informative reply, Snapple! I’m sure it’ll be really useful for others…the scar looks great, you can barely see it already! Hugs & prayers for you, keep healing 
Just had a quick read through that article- it’s really useful, thanks! Interesting that they linked heart arrythmias & syncope with not just the vagus nerve but the Glossopharyngeal nerve too, I’m sure lots of members will be interested in that!
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Thanks for sharing this pic and information. This makes me feel better somehow. I’m happy it went well for you and wish you continued good health.
Wow, so helpful. I live in Rochester New York and can’t imagine flying to California for surgery during time of pandemic. I didn’t realize this surgery is done as outpatient. How long did you stay near office after surgery for follow up also. WitH over 500 surgeries, this Dr certainly has the experience , far more than 125 of my Dr. In Rochester. Just do t know what to do.
With Dr. Samji, he does ES surgery on Mondays and he requires you to stay in town until Friday. Per insurance requirement (I just asked for 2nd surgery to cut down) you must have pre-op appt which is on Friday before surgery so you are looking at a 7 night stay. Surgery generally lasts about 1.5 hours. You are in and out pretty quick. There is a hospital literally kiddy-corner to the outpatient surgery center.
I rented a car at San Jose airport and parked it most of the week so I could drive myself to hotel and then to post-op appt and then to the airport without using a cab or uber. The upside of having the weekend there is to pick up some groceries and RX. I also took a little drive to the ocean.
I found a cute little motel (not super fancy) downtown Los Gatos and got a covid discount of $85 a night which was a steal.I had a gated garden section almost to myself. No main lobby to go thru. I just checked and I think they are sitting at about $120 a night. I was able to walk downtown and get food to go. Was at least 4 good food places within 1 block and many will deliver to hotel. There is a walking path 1 block away that goes for miles. I felt pretty safe and secure. The hotel was about 3 miles from surgery center.
I will be scheduling my next surgery most likely in Nov. I expect hotel prices to drop by then. If you came from east coast, I would suggest a red eye into San Jose airport if you can get it and not use San Francisco airport which handles big load of international flights. I found the San Jose airport to be very quiet and much of its brand new and spacious. I walked across the street and picked up my car.
Staying in Los Gatos was like being on vacation to me. Nice weather, beautiful little town and access to everything I needed. If you want to spend more a night, there are some pretty nice high end hotels there.
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