My worst pre surgery symptom was a vice above my ears m, almost temple are. Definitely nerves. I had right stylus removed with Dr Osborne. The anatomy was very small, the styloid was calcified and broken and when he pulled it out it was turned into my neck. The left showed no issues currently and had a bigger space to be in. I had the right removed and my vice on the head is worse after surgery (he says angry nerves) …I just wonder whose nerve symptoms got worse before better after surgery ? Also who’s done one side with success without having to do other side ?
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@Jessg333 - How long ago did you have your surgery?
Recovery from ES surgery takes a number of months as nerves are slow to heal. Recovery can be a bit of a “roller coaster ride” w/ symptoms getting worse, then feeling better, then getting worse, then feeling better…The good thing is that as time passes, the time between getting worse & better gets longer & longer, & eventually, feeling much better “wins” the battle. Nerves are slow to recover, & it can take quite a number of months for the symptoms they’re causing to gradually fade away - even up to a year+.
If you’re still w/in the first 2 weeks post op, icing your neck for 15 min every couple of hours will help tremendously (gel ice packs conform to the neck well, but use a thin towel between ice pack & skin to prevent ice burns), as will sleeping/resting w/ your head & shoulders elevated to ~30º.
Taking your pain meds on schedule will also go a long way toward helping keep your pain reduced. If Dr. Osborne is willing to Rx a 10-14 day tapering dose of a steroid such as dexamethasone or prednisone that can be extremely helpful in reducing the type of symptom you have now.
We’ve had a few members who’ve had bilaterally elongated styloids who had good results by only having one removed, but the more common story is that the symptoms the remaining styloid are causing ramp up once the first styloid is resected thus a second styloidectomy is often necessary. Most doctors do them 3-6 months after the first one, but Dr. Osborne might do it sooner if you need it done.
I hope you soon get over the hump from the current pain/pressure you’re feeling right now. 
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It sounds like your styloid could’ve been tricky to remove, so not surprising that your nerves are inflamed after surgery! I’m sorry that your pain is worse, but be confident with what Dr Osborne says, he’s done many successful surgeries and is very experienced.
Did the gabapentin help you at all before surgery, & are you still taking it?
I agree with @Isaiah_40_31 about recovery, we have many members who are concerned after surgery that they’re still in pain, but it can be a long, slow job at times. Hugs for you & praying that it settles soon 
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Hey, there! Sorry to hear you’re in such pain post op. That can be so frustrating, but it should be temporary, at least. Certainly, if it isn’t, there are treatments. I’m saying this without having had my styloidectomy surgery. I’m stuck in a holding pattern with my care team! But, I have had a C1-C2 fusion and I can tell you, my pain after surgery was exponentially greater than any pain prior! Lots of things are healing, muscles are extremely tense in response, and nerves are firing off the charts. I was told that if it does not settle down, you can have injections to settle the nerves. In my case, it was so bad, my surgeon was ready to essentially “kill” the nerves so the problem would be a non-issue. - I didn’t go for that. I preferred to stick it out as I would rather sense what is going on than mask it. The pain did lessen gradually, as others have described to you. And, eventually it settled to a new normal, my body and brain adjusting to the new arrangement. - I do currently have the vice pain to which you are referring, sometimes aggravated by my limited neck range of motion from fusion being forced beyond its limit, sometimes seemingly from my RA, and I have learned from all of our fellow ES sufferers, apparently also from that pesky styloid process. But, just trying to imagine what you are experiencing right now, I feel like the level of your pain is likely just as your doc said, very angry nerves that WILL settle in time, but need some nurturing to get there. I personally find that Kirkland brand back pills, that is extra strength acetaminophen with muscle relaxant, can significantly improve that vice pain, albeit temporarily. But, it might just help you get over this brutal hump. I wonder if your Dr. would recommend. - I hope you get some relief soon!
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