Did you end up meeting with Chang? If so, how did it go and does he do skull base styloidectomy?
Hello, it went well. I am 4 months out after surgery. I feel it was a success but I am still healing. He did an intraoral and cut off my 6.4 styloid as close to the base of my skull as far as he could reach. 1cm was left if I remember correctly. I still have one on the right that is 6.2, but right now I am doing nothing with that. I hope this answers your question. I hope you get the help you need.
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Oh gosh that’s amazing he was able to get that much out intraoral! I’m so upset that Dr Hamlar only removed 1cm intraoral on me & left 3.5 in there. Did you have really bad anxiety? And how was the turnaround time between Chang’s assessment and your surgery? Also, did you have bad upper back and shoulder pain?
I have a newborn & am struggling so much with this. I just made an appt with Chang Feb 12.
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That is sad about your surgery. To go through it one time would be enough but for you to have to do it again on the same side, I cannot even imagine. Initially I had to wait 3 months to see him. After I seen him he was not sure he could help me to make a difference in my life with the surgery. But he was using a CT no contrast that another doctor had asked for. He said he wanted me to do it again with how he prefers to gather his info. I did and then he agreed he could help. After that appointment the surgery team called and it was about 2-3 weeks later, this past August that surgery was performed.
How were you originally diasgnosed?
Yes I had/have neck and shoulder pain. But I have other issues besides that can cause that pain aside from Eagle’s. (TMJ and Trigeminal Neuralgia) I go to a top-notch physical therapist and she had helped me more than anyone except for Dr. Chang. It must be so hard to deal with it all and take care of your child. I understand what you are going through. I felt every day was a big challenge to deal with because of my pain plus I could only take Tylenol. I am so happy for you to get in so quickly to see him. Prayers going out for you.
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Oh and yes, I had bad anxiety and blood pressure spikes, 180/120 especially at night. It was terrible. Dr. Chang said it was from the styloid putting pressure on my vagus nerve, depending on my head position at times.
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I’m sorry that you’re trying to cope with the pain & anxiety with a new baby, that’s really tough, sending you a hug 
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I’m really impressed that Chang was able to take so much out for you! I have an appointment with him February 10. My follow up with Hamler is January 14 next week. I’m going to urge him to remove as much as possible externally on the next round. This morning I woke up with nausea again. Yesterday my anxiety was pretty bad rumbling in the background. I still have residual shoulder and arm pain. Ibuprofen seems to help for any other anti-inflammatory. Granted I can see some things have improved, I can actually function. But I’m not functioning enough.
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Yes, it can be so hard. Eagle’s is on your mind everyday trying to get through it all. I pray you get answers, relief and better days ahead. 
I am still healing from my Eagle’s surgery and I now have had to deal with healing from a cancer removal surgery/reconstruction on my eyebrow.
This was done a week ago and the second day, shingles rash showed up. I cannot not even say how painful that is. It has been hard to deal with. I ask Jesus for His help every day.
I am hopeful for you as you wait to see Doctor Chang. Blessings to you.
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@Deb7 - I’m so sorry your skin cancer surgery was complicated by shingles while you’re still recovering from your ES surgery. Were you immediately given an anti-viral medication & steroids to help stop it more quickly? Did you have the shingles vaccine? Regardless, I hope that shingles is short lived & your eyebrow recovers quickly!
I’m asking about the vaccine because I’m having Moh’s surgery on Wed. for a basal cell cancer spot on the side of my face. I had both Shingles vaccine injections several years ago, but if they aren’t working well, I want to know.
Oh no poor you,that must be so painful! Praying that you heal well and that the shingles pain goes away very quickly…hugs and prayers 
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Thank you, @Isaiah_40_31. I am sorry you are having a Moh’s surgery soon. I think I got shingles from the stress of it all having needles by my eye and cutting so close to my trigeminal nerve. I had arm nerves tingling about one week before surgery. I thought it was my usual aches and pains but the day after surgery the rash came. My general practitioner offered meds. He said by then it could help some but with my sensitivity to meds I declined. He did not offer steroids. I take some Tylenol but of course the pain is way beyond the scope of Tylenol making it tolerable. I did not have a shingles vaccination either. I do not like being sick but meds/vaccinations just add another layer for me that I cannot deal with. So that means I usually manage the best I know how. Praying for you to have a good outcome with no issues.
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Thank you @Jules . I appreciate your prayers. The pain of having both things going on has been very hard. Entering a new phase and I want to be done with it all. I count on Jesus to get me over the hump. Thanks again.
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It’s good you know who to rely on to get you through this
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It definitely is @Jules 
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@Isaiah_40_31 Hello how did your surgery go today? Thinking of you. Pray all went well. 
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Thank you for asking @Deb7 . Surgery went well & only took about an hour. The dermatologist had to do 2 passes to get everything, but it’s a very small area so I’m hoping it won’t be too painful. Funny thing, I was concerned about my trigeminal nerve, too, as my spot was just in front of my ear. I’m about 7 hrs post op & it’s just starting to hurt a bit. I can take the bandage off tomorrow & will get a look at what was done then.
I’m sorry you couldn’t take the meds for the shingles as that helps them resolve more quickly, but if they’d make you worse in other ways, you definitely made the best decision. I will pray for your surgery & shingles pain to scoot! BTW I did get shingles pain from the 2nd immunization injection. It was in my spinal muscles for 3 days & was awful. I’m not big on vaccines but have known enough people who had shingles that I REALLY didn’t want to add that to the list of nasty bugs I’ve had. 
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Hello @alibabac, How did your appointment go with Dr Chang? Did you get any answers and help? I hope all went well.
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@Deb7 Hello, I am wondering if it was Dr. Henry Chang that did your surgery in Minnesota. How was your experience with him? Do you know if he has done many ES surgeries? I am waiting for a referral to see him.
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Hello @Abby4Paige, how are you? Yes my surgery for Eagle’s Syndrome on the left side of my neck was done on August 11, 2025. It was a successful surgery. It took care of some of my issues. One of the biggest being constant throat and ear pain and high blood pressure spikes often because of vagal nerve compression from my elongated styloid. I have an elongated on my right as well but right now I do not believe it causes me too much trouble. We shall see. He does an intra-oral surgery. It was hard but I made it through. Now I have dysphasia issues at the moment so I go back to him April 2nd. I am not sure why but hoping he can tell me and help me. I think you will like him. He is to the point and at first he told me that he could not help me. He will not do surgeries on people unless he knows for sure that he can make a difference. Then he asked for a different ultrasound because the one I brought to him came from another doctor. He took his own and then he agreed as he said I was a good candidate even at 74. I hope you get help and relief . I know how hard it can be to go from day to day in pain. If I can help you further or give you some encouragement, please let me know. I pray all goes well when you go to see him on your appointment date. Blessings to you.
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