@Christy, hi and sorry for the delayed response. I did not get the gliding feeling post-surgery. I’d say I had more of that pre-surgery. Hopefully it’s just the meds in your case. They gave us quite a few pills and other meds IV. The prednisone all by itself makes me feel weird. I only took the Percocet for one day…hated it and Tylenol was good enough. What I did get a lot of post-surgery was hot flashes/flushes. My whole surgery side of face and ear would turn red and is start to sweat and felt like I was roasting. Awful. They are gradually going away, thank goodness. My incision didn’t scab over. The redness is gradually fading. I’m keeping silicone patches on most of the time. Occasionally, I’ll put the mederma cream on. It’s looking much better…here is the 5 week glam shot 
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WOW! redbird773! Your incision looks fantastic! So glad it’s healing well!!
SewMomma - Your incision is lookin’ GREAT! So glad it’s healing well! A couple more months & you’ll barely be able to see it!
Wow SewMomma and Redbird your incision is healing well and looking good!!
Thanks for sharing your glam shots 
So, I had my follow up appointment with Dr.Samji today and it went ok. Dr. Samji said my incision looks good. He was quite unhappy with me that I discontinued taking prednisone early without consulting him first. I told him that I didn’t like the side effects but he said there’s a good reason he prescribes the meds. I told him I was taking a Natural remedy called Arnica that helps a lot for swelling but he’s very evidence based and can’t back up remedies that aren’t scientifically proven. I understand where’s he’s coming from but I think it’s really helped! I asked him about my crunchy jaw and he said that’s completely normal and common because they have to open the jaw really wide during surgery for the breathing tube. He said it will go away with time. Prior to the appointment I already felt it was improving daily so that’s good!
I asked about my unsteadiness/wobbly/swaying sensation and he didn’t have much to say about that. He told me that I should be careful not to blame everything I’m feeling on my ES condition because there can be other medical factors outside of it. But, it’s kinda hard not to when you didn’t have this prior to surgery. I have a feeling it’s caused by widespread swelling and it could be affecting my vestibulocochlear nerve. I did a little research about vertigo and it says that swelling of the vestibulocochlear nerve can cause balance, dizziness, and swaying sensations.
Perhaps since I stopped taking meds for swelling it’s affecting the nerves?
This evening I had a pretty rough time with this unsteadiness! I’m praying it will go away as it’s affecting me physically and emotionally! I’m looking forward to taking Motrin tomorrow to see if it helps. My post-op instructions said I could after 10 days. Tomorrow marks 10 days so, I don’t know if that counts. I’ll ask the Doc tomorrow.
Ugh, the devil is on my shoulder trying to tell me this was another failed attempt, there’s no help for me, and I’ve created more problems for myself!
But I can’t listen to that voice!!
I have to cast out my worries and give it to God!!! This too shall pass but it will take time!
I can positively say that I don’t have the intense head pressure I always felt prior to surgery. So, that’s wonderful! 
I must stay positive and appreciate all the blessings! 
Hi Abby4Paige! My husband has also been seeing Dr Ondrey at the U. He was diagnosed by him for ES as he his Styloid is elongated. He’s been dealing with this for 2.5 years and we are hopeful that ES is the culprit for some if not most of his pain symtoms.
How did your appointment go with Dr Ondrey?
Hello beane,
Are you in MN or are you driving in from another state to see him? I really like Dr. Ondrey. He did start off by saying that he doesn’t operate on everyone that comes in. Only ones that he feels surgery will definitely benefit. I appreciate that he is not a surgeon that just wants to cut! I think he said I was the first one that he has seen the entire ligament that has solidified. He plans to go all the way back to the skull and then remove it from the hyoid. I am getting more nervous the closer it gets. I will be overnight in the hospital. Not sure if everyone is overnight or same day? The big thing I an nervous about is that he is going to be out of the country for 3 weeks after my surgery so I will for sure be getting a name/number for someone else that can help if I have questions while he is away. My post op isn’t until June 4th. Has your husband seen him already, or where is he at in is treatment plan? Does he have any calcification of the ligament? Who has he seen prior to Dr. Ondrey? Do you dr with Fairview or Health Partners? I am really trying to keep my expectations to a realistic level and be prepared for the ups and downs of recovery. I love all of the suggestions for what to have “on hand”. I have a pretty good care team set up at home, so I am blessed to not have to worry about that. My girls told me that we can do a rain check for Mothers Day since I will probably be a bit out of it:)
Please keep me posted on your husbands visits!
Blessings!
Patty
Hey girl. Been there. Had a “what have I done?” moment in week two when my tongue looked like a crooked finger. It goes with the territory 
How’s your tongue doing now?
It’s a rocky road, but you’ve got ‘the boss’ watching over you 
! will keep praying that the wobbliness passes, make sure you take it easy!
He sounds careful, that’s good…what date is your op?
Thanks Jules!! 
Jules,
7:30am this Friday! I am wondering how long people are out of work? I have great FMLA benefits at work, but I am just wondering how long others have taken to get back to daily living:)
Patty
It looks awesome. Just like pre op. Feels miraculous. I am left with a slight speech issue. You know, we’re the ones that notice small things about our bodies. Words that start with “cl” are hard for me to get out. It is what it is. Might still improve.
Hi Abby4Paige,
We do live here in the suburbs of the Twin Cities so we really got lucky! Not a long drive at all. He is a riot and pretty straight forward with his answers. It is nice because he doesn’t beat around the bush. It is what it is and he told us he doesn’t operate on everyone too. My husband has been dealing with this for so long and seen every kind of doctor out there. Dr Ondrey is actually our 3rd ENT to visit.
He told us that he will decide after surgery if he will be able to go home or if he will be overnight. It will all depend on how he is doing. There is a bed reserved at the hospital in case he stays.
Yes, him going out of the country for that long is kind of nerve wrecking but I am sure he will give us a name of a college we can contact if needed. I planned on asking him on Monday when he does my hubby’s surgery. We are actually going to Regions Hospital to have it done. My hubby isn’t the biggest fan of the U since it is a teaching Hospital. I get it. Anything to make him feel better I will go with. ya know?
To answer some of your questions… he has seen Dr Ondrey 3 times now. Before that he has been seen by 6 neurologists, 2 gastroenterologists, 3 neuro surgeons, 4 different pain clinics, physical medicine (botox), chiropractors, accupuncturists, has had nerve blocks, been on just about every medication that is know to man, RFA of occipital nerve, trigger point injections, 2 ENT’s and a partridge in a pear tree. 
So he has kind of been through the ringer with doctors. Our doctors have been from just about all over - from the Mayo, Fairview, Health Partners, TC Orthopedics, Entria, to the U of M and the list keeps rolling. Joe (my hubby) has enlongated styloid processes at 38mm on both sides. His right side is his problem child.
When is your surgery? Are you having your at the U or Regions? It is crazy that you are having yours done with him sounds like the same week as Joe is! I will pray for you during your surgery and for a speedy recovery!!!
Malia
beane & Abby4Paige - I don’t know if you realize that you can have private discussions by clicking on a person’s screen name. This will take you to a page w/ a link that says “Message” if you click on that you’ll be able to privately email each other w/o it coming up on the forum at large.
I’m so happy for both of you that you’ve found Dr. Ondrey & have surgeries scheduled (beane, for your husband). Abbey4Paige, you asked about how long before you can go back to work. Some people are able to start working again a week post op but for most it’s 2 -3 weeks. By 6-8 weeks post op, you’ll be feeling pretty decent all the way around. Your energy will return & you will find you’ve resumed many activities you let go pre-op. Six months to a year post op will give you a very clear picture of which symptoms are gone & which are there to stay. CAVEAT - if the ES is bilateral, you’ll most likely need both sides taken care of to get the optimal results from ES surgery. Most doctors require two separate surgeries in bilateral cases.
Hoping & praying for the best for both of you!
I was only doing voluntary work, but I did have to lift toddlers about alot, so I took 4 weeks off- lifting does really mess you up, but if it’s a desk job most people take 2-3 weeks as Isaiah says. After my 1st surgery my neck was painful to turn, so I coukdn’t drive for 3 weeks, but I had no problems with that after the 2nd surgery! So it does vary & we’re all different.
So soon! That’s amazing, I’ll be praying for you, hope all goes well! Let us know how you are when you’re able 
Thank you everyone for your thoughts as I go for surgery tomorrow morning. Today has been a challenge and it’s only 10:30am. My nerves are getting the best of me, trying to cover back up plans for my job while I am out. I am a little OCD about procedures, so I have many sticky notes around my office and “how to guides” for those who are covering for me. I run the testing center at a college and next week is finals so being gone is not sitting well with me. I know it will be fine when it’s all said and done. beane - that is wild that Joe is having surgery next week. I will be at the U for my surgery. I will definitely be praying that he has the best outcome possible!
Hi Everyone,
Hope your all doing well! I’m about 3 weeks post-op and I’m happy to report that my unsteadiness/wobbly sensation has improved although it still presents itself if I do to much activity, under stress, or hunger kicks in!
My head pressure that I constantly had prior to surgery is no longer an issue so I think I can cross that off my list! And the post-op crunching ear sound went away.Hooray! 
Now, for the bad part, my intense ear pressure/popping problem is back along with my face pain, and my left TMJ joint slightly pops all day again. Ugh, just when I was gaining some hope that I might get rid of these very comfortable long standing persistent health aliments! It’s torturous! 
I’m praying that maybe it will improve with more time & healing and perhaps caused by the remaining 6.5cm styloid on my right. Please God let that be the case and have mercy on me!!!
My second surgery with Dr. Samji is on July 29th. Continued prayers and support is much appreciated!! Thanks (((Hugs)))!!
You may find comfort in the fact that I had terrible left side pain. My styloid was very thick. After it was removed, i felt better but at about 2 months my ear pain and some jaw pain and especially pain in the back of the skull reappeared. The ear pain got a bit better by six months but not the overall neck and head pain. I am 2 months past the second side. The surgical pain and head pain and ear pain are better on both sides. I got some first bite syndrome on the right side and facial nerve paralysis from the surgery, but it is oh so slowly improving. My lower lip extends over my lower teeth when I try to open my mouth so it is difficult to eat sandwiches, but that should go away in time. I am seeing a facial nerve therapist associated with my surgeon. The facial nerve near the mandible was the most affected, but it is showing improvement.
What is still unknown is the pain in my shoulders and neck up to the base of my skull where the trapezoid muscles form. I think some of it will improve as I am now able to lie down at night. I have needed to sleep sitting up for most of 4 years. So my neck is just beginning to get some relief. I will be going to therapy for my entire spine soon and that therapist is more optimistic than I have been. I know to wait at least 6 more months because my body needs time to adjust to the freedom of having my styloids and stylohyoids removed from the base of my skull to the hyoid. That is like removing something that was strangulating me for years.
My muscles and vertebrae have been compensating for years to having my head pulled down. That is how I am viewing the recovery. I hope this helps while you wait for your second surgery
Glad that some things are improving…totally agree with emma that time heals & patience is needed, plus getting side 2 done! Will keep praying for you