Has anyone seen Dr Stepan at Northwestern in Chicago and do you have any feedback?OR really any other dr in Chicago?
thanks in advance
I’ve had a quick search of the old posts, but can’t find much at all about him or the other doctor listed in Chicago? Hope you get some answers… we have some suggested questions to ask doctors if you see them:
*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!
Thank you Jules for all that information . I’m feeling pretty bad right now and thinking of getting admitted into a hospital . Everytimeni eat or even drink water everything gets worse I def have some gi issues as well and unsure if it es causing them . I started again pregabalin since it was giving me too much of back pain and woke up feeling worse . I only took the 25 mg I’ve taken before 75 and think worked better now I’m just afraid since I feel that the grinding gets worse and my head ( I know it can’t be my head and most likely neck ) cracks horribly every time I lay down . I’m also spitting like crazy so I don’t know perhaps getting checked in might hep dSo i don’t keep losing weight or dehydrated.I have a couple of options but all of them are kind of far but good hospitals . Don’t know if might be a good idea to go to one that has a es specialist like northwestern ( even though I won’t necessarily do the surgery w her just so it’s a more comprehensive diagnosis ) I went to rush in Chicago and the head and neck guy was completely dismissive saying things such as but your left is longer and your symptoms are on right or you look miserable you should go to er etc and was nit gentle at all when touching roof of mouth etc or just go wherever and then after make an apptmnt w Annino or cognetti since right now I believe it’s almost a month to schedule
Anyhow sorry for the lengthy message . Someone contacted me that had seen the dr In northwestern so that’s good to know and will be in contact hopefully
eThank you very much for your help and patience
2 Likes
So sorry that you’re feeling so rough, you should get checked out if you’re losing weight & getting dehydrated.
I’m glad that you have a couple of options for hospitals.
Thinking of you & let us know how you get on 
1 Like