Nope, im in Russia.
Вы нашли врача?
It could be vagus nerve related, or possibly if there’s irritation of the carotid artery I think that can cause pain …good that you’ve got your heart checked out…sounds like the surgery can’t come soon enough!
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I agree w/ @Jules that the vagus nerve can cause heart pain (I’ve had vagus nerve pain in my heart off & on for years). Carotid artery compression, too, can cause heart pain because the blood leaving the heart through the carotid artery can’t flow through the artery as fast as the heart is pumping it out when there is a blockage in the line. I hope the Holter monitor is helpful in showing what’s wrong, but if nothing shows up, then it’s most likely your vagus nerve which is irritated by your styloids.
I’m glad your headaches are reduced! I’ve also had situations where self massaging my trapezius has relieved headaches. There is a lot of stress that builds up as we deal w/ our ES symptoms. I applaud you for figuring out a way to relieve some of yours. 
I’ve forgotten if you mentioned your specific surgery date. If not, do you mind telling us what it is? Jules & I along w/ some other forum members like to pray for our members on & around their surgery dates.
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Thank you very much for your response. I had similar symptoms a couple of months ago, and at that time, the Holter monitor detected isolated monomorphic ventricular extrasystoles. I tried to understand their nature but couldn’t find anything conclusive. Vagus nerve compression is a good hypothesis. Alternatively, it could be irritated by the gastrointestinal tract.
I also noticed a persistent (over the course of a year) increase in red blood cells, hematocrit, and heart rate (I believe this is a compensatory response due to cerebral ischemia), without a significant increase in erythropoietin. At the time, I suspected sleep apnea, but polysomnography didn’t confirm it, and hematological tests didn’t find polycythemia either.
Now everything is starting to make sense. I will definitely do another Holter test before the surgery, but first I’ll let the extrasystoles “make some noise” — I feel this condition is just starting to gain momentum. The surgery date is June 24 — thank you for your support, it means an incredible amount to me.
My mindset toward the surgery is positive — whatever the outcome, I already consider myself victorious. Like many others here, I had to break through a wall of misunderstanding — from doctors to even those closest to me.
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Not too long now, praying that your surgery goes well! 
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Thank you for sharing your surgery date. I will put it on my calendar so I can also be praying for you. I’m glad you’ve benefitted from the support you’ve gotten from our forum. We’re here for you every step of the way to surgery & throughout recovery. I wish & will pray for you to have the best possible outcome.
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Hi everyone! I’m currently awaiting surgery and feeling anxious about the situation in the region, as my operation will take place in Turkey.
I want to share an important observation: Citicoline, a nootropic drug, significantly reduces my brain fog. Yesterday, I felt almost completely cognitively clear. It was wonderful, but today the weather and sleeping on a different pillow caused a setback.
Nothing else has brought me this kind of clarity before. I suspect it has to do with the depletion of acetylcholine receptor reserves due to impaired venous outflow. I highly, highly recommend it.
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Thanks for that info @Ruslan , & glad that it helped you! Obviously not being medical professionals on here we do suggest members do speak to their own doctor about supplements, in case there’s any interactions with other medications… I’d not heard of this before, it sounds interesting!
Are you in Turkey at the moment, or waiting until nearer the time?
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Hi do you havw a date for your surgery?
I’m glad Citicoline has been helpful for you, @Ruslan. Unfortunately, in this publication (last paragraph in the Background section) Citicoline for treating people with acute ischemic stroke - PMC), it is stated that Citicoline has been banned in the US & Canada since 2009. I didn’t read the whole article to see if there is any discussion as to why.
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I see it available to purchase as a supplement on Amazon
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Interesting. I didn’t think to go beyond the article link I posted to see if anything had changed. Silly me! 
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Hi
sharing a short update about my surgery.
On June 24th, I had surgery in Istanbul for Eagle Syndrome.
The surgeon resected the styloid process and partially resected the posterior arch of my C1 to decompress the jugular vein.
The procedure went well — one jugular vein opened up immediately, and flow improved right away.
The right IJV at the skull base is still slightly compressed by surrounding muscles, so it’s being monitored.
Good news: the deep, heavy squeezing pressure I used to feel inside my head is now completely gone, which is a huge relief.
Right after surgery, my eyes — which were constantly red with visible veins before — became clear and white for the first time in years.
Recently, though, the venous pattern has partly returned in my left eye, so I’m still watching that.
I do have some vestibular problems now, like a mild drifting or floating feeling when moving, especially when shifting weight from one foot to the other. These vestibular issues are new — I did not have them before surgery.
I also have a pressure-type pain at the back of my head, especially when I fully relax my neck, and strong pain in my trapezius and deep neck muscles, probably due to post-surgical fascial tension and adaptation.
Sometimes swallowing still feels tight.
Another thing is that I still don’t fully feel my ears because of numbness around the area, which hasn’t completely resolved yet.
I admit I still worry a lot (I’m an anxious patient!), but overall I feel better, and I’m especially happy that I can now fall asleep without brainstem panic awakenings, which was a huge issue for me before.
PICTURES OF MY LEFT SIDE AFTER/BEFORE
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WOW! What a good change in your IJV, @Ruslan! Your immediate physical improvement is also good news!
Recovery from ES surgery, & especially when there is also vascular decompression, can take a number of months. Symptoms can come & go for a year after surgery for quite a while though by 6-9 months the nerves & blood flow changes have often gotten to a pretty stable state. Being very fatigued for a couple of months after surgery is also normal. It’s your body’s way of helping you not be too active so it can put its energy into healing. That is to say the numbness & pain/pressure in the back of your head & trappezius/neck muscle pain are likely symptoms of the post op swelling & should gradually go away over the next months. The vestibular issues are likely from your brain adjusting to the new level of blood flow it is experiencing. Those symptoms should also clear up over time. Numbness in the face & ears is common post op & can also last a number of months as the nerves heal occasionally some numbness can remain for good, but for me, the numbness I have is better is better than pain.
I’m really happy for you that your mind is more clear now. That is a wonderful benefit of the surgery! I hope your healing continues to move forward w/ symptoms leaving bit by bit & you can get back to enjoying your life.
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Thanks for the update, it’s really good news that you’re seeing improvements! Hopefully the other issues will resolve with time, you’re still very early days into recovery… As @Isaiah_40_31 says, your brain will still be adjusting to the pressure change, so hopefully the vestibular problems will improve, the have been some posts with links I think to vestibular rehab exercises you could do later…
Numbness around the ears I agree is quite common after surgery (and along the jaw), mine are still a bit numb years later but it doesn’t bother me , like Isaiah says!
Take it steady & don’t overdo things, & keep the updates coming when you’re able!
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Thank you for the support
I’m more surprised that my tinnitus didn’t disappear completely — right after surgery it actually got worse, which I didn’t expect.
I’m using magnesium oil to help release the muscle tension in my trapezius and neck.
There’s still a feeling of emptiness and a kind of frustration in my head, but at the same time my brain feels calmer somehow.
I still don’t fully trust my neck muscles yet — I tend to hold my neck in one position because I’m afraid that after the C1 arch resection:
- my neck muscles might compress the vertebral arteries (especially because my left VA partly runs outside the bony canal at the lower levels),
- and that C1 might lose stability.
I know these fears are mostly irrational, but for now I’m still very careful with my neck’s range of motion.
It’s tough sometimes — I feel like I get lost in this endless anatomical analysis of my neck.
I really miss those days when the doctor just said ‘You’re fine’ — and I actually believed it without question.
Strangely enough, what’s helping me the most now is faith and prayer.
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Hi, it sounds like your recovery is proceeding well. How many days did you stay in Turkey and how did you find flying after the procedure?
I am considering the same and would be good to know your experience.
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Hi!
I arrived on June 22nd, had my consultation with the doctor at the office on the 23rd, and on the 24th I was admitted to the hospital in the morning and had the surgery the same day. The procedure lasted about 4.5 hours.
After that, I stayed in the hospital until the morning of the 27th, then moved to a hotel.
On the 30th, I had my final follow-up with the doctor, and on July 1st, I flew back to Russia.
The doctor’s team, the hospital, the rooms, and the operating facilities were all top-notch — really excellent quality.
The staff were very attentive, the hospital rooms were modern and super comfortable, and it was convenient that a companion could stay with me.
The flight back went well.
If you have any questions, feel free to message me — I’ll be glad to share more details!
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It’s a big surgery, so it’s not surprising that you feel quite vulnerable! It can take a while for neck muscles to adjust and get stronger , did your doctor give you any advice about strengthening them, having physiotherapy later etc?