Today February 7th 2017 I was finally able to get a diagnosis.
My Backstory-
6 years ago I would wake up in the morning with extreme left ear pain, like an ice pick was being plunged into my eardrum. That went on for about 1 year on and off. The pain would quickly subside after getting out of bed and doing normal duties.
All seemed well for several years, until August of 2014, I had an ATV accident and landed on my face (facial scrapes, sore muscles, and the wind being knocked out of me). Within the same day of the accident, I had extreme pain upon each swallow in the left side of my throat. Upon seeing my primary care physician over the symptoms, he ordered x-rays which turned up negative. After repeated doctor visits I was finally able to receive a CT scan of my cervical spine (without contrast), came back negative. Discouraged I obtained a digital copy of my CT, took it home, downloaded a program that would convert the format into 3D structures of my bones, thatās when I saw what was causing my pain, a 3.5cm long elongated styloid process that looked to be pressing against my throat among other things. I continued on to be referred to an ENT who looked down my throat only to tell me that I must have sprain a muscle or tendon. Over time I saw various doctors, chiropractors, & dentists only to be told that they had never heard of Eagles Syndrome.
Over the length of 10 months after the accident did the swallowing pain subside. I continued on through the pain with everyday activities, (very rarely taking pain medication) might I ad I am a father of 2 children and a husband of a nurse. I powered through each day, rarely showing pain or complaining to anyone. I logged many hours in my free time searching through nerve functioning of each vertebra muscle and ligament formations that could possibly be the cause, I guess one could say I became a closet neurologist/otolaryngologist, my OCD surfaced over this whole ordeal big time.
I guess I can consider myself to be one of the lucky ones! Periodically I may get pain in my throat (5% of the time of about a 4 on a pain scale), I still get pain in my ear (10% of the time but it is usually not over a 3). Although I have a globus sensation under my left tonsilar fossa (90% of the time without pain). I may add that a cold or allergies tend to ramp up my symptoms due to inflammation & irritations.
It wasnāt until 3 weeks ago that I decided to proceed with my continued journey for answers. I already knew what I had going on with my throat within a month of my accident (hence my ocd studying capacy) but I needed to hear those words come out of the mouth of a āprofessionalā wearing a badge.
I am here to say, that I have fought this fight internally for years, as a result, I know for a fact that it has made me a better person, husband, father, brother and friend along this journey.
As of this day, Tuesday February 7th 2017 I set out to find an answer, I prayed to my Lord Jesus Christ to guide me, the hands that hold, and those who have helped me help myself along the way. Somehow I knew today would be the day that light would shine. Today, I got to hear those words roll that doctors tongueā¦
The doctor looked through my CT scans from 2 years before. He turned and looked at me, with shock bearing in my spine he said - āhuh, you have eagles syndrome, a hardening or calcification of the stylohoid ligament!ā
With tears in my eyes I shook his hand and thanked him.
I feel relieved just knowing that I now have a concrete base to stand on.
Thank you all for your support.
