Did he join your telehealth meeting? I’m very sorry the problems with his office have been perpetual for you, @stuuke. I hope you were able to have a “face to face” conversation with him today & get things sorted out.
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How did you get on? 
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He did show up! 20 minutes late but that’s probably early in doctor time 
He started right in discussing his move away from Veros and how several people have had issues. I still feel Dr. Hepworth and his NPs carry some of the blame but he said the right things.
Just as a refresher in December Dr. Hepworth said he hadn’t received Dr. Fargen’s report or imaging results. His plan in December was to order another ultrasound of the jugular and a CT scan to see if there was thinning near my ear canal that could be causing the tinnitus. He said next we should remove the right styloid and do a C1 shave. He brushed off the idea of Botox and didn’t think it would be helpful.
I reminded Dr. Hepworth to check for Dr. Fargen’s report and the imaging. He looked at both during the appointment and kind of changed his direction on treatment. I don’t think the ultrasound was done correctly because he referenced my ultrasound from two years ago and not the one after my surgery. He suggested we try some medicine that might help with the tinnitus. I have tinnitus in my left ear but it’s not one of my major concerns. I feel I could easily live with it if my other symptoms were resolved. I told him I was open to trying anything and he prescribed Pentoxifylline and said it can adjust the blood flow. He said we should know in two weeks if it’s helping.
Next would be a muscle block followed by Botox if the muscle block showed positive results. He said we could do this in Denver so I wouldn’t need to see Dr. Cha in Minnesota.
Lastly he said that we could do upright cervical imaging. This could also be done in Denver. It would test to see if the brain stem and spine are sitting correctly. That area can cause issues with histamines, blood pressure and heart rate. I have abnormalities with all three(high blood pressure, low heart rate, autoimmune issues) so this is something I’d like pursue.
I asked him about surgery and he said that would be plan C.
On the bright side we have some movement and some next steps to take. Dr. Hepworth gave me his cell phone number so hopefully the communication issues will be resolved during his transition away from Veros. If you’ve ever met with Dr. Hepworth it’s obvious that he’s brilliant but he can be all over the place since he’s reviewing scans/reports and changing direction as you talk. The tinnitus isn’t a major concern for me but I’ve always felt the muscular issue/Botox route is worth trying since I get such tightness in my SCM on the left side of my neck and that extends all the way to my ear and shoulder.
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HOORAY!!! 
So fantastic that you’ve FINALLY gotten to talk to Dr. Hepworth again & there is a plan in place for moving forward. I sympathize w/ the SCM shoulder to ear pain as I get that from time to time but it’s not chronic for me like it seems to be for you. I hope the suggested therapies are helpful with your left side. As noted, you may still need to have your right styloid/IJV taken care of for optimal results but at least you’re on your way to treatment.
FYI, we’ve had a couple of members mention that Dr. H gave them his cell number, & he doesn’t answer it, so you may find you need to be persistent in calling if you choose to utilize that route to communication. Things may change in that regard once he’s out from under the Veros umbrella, but it will likely be gradual.
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He’s still a doctor so my communication expectations aren’t that high 
I’ll probably just text him an update in a couple of weeks on the medicine and requests to schedule appointments/tests. Hopefully I can stay on him while my case is fresh in his mind but I’m sure the move will also take a great deal of his time.
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Dr. Hepworth isn’t moving from the Cherry Creek ofc. The lease for that is in his name so it’s his ofc so it’s up to Veros to move if they decide they need to. Dr. H’s move is strictly on paper. 
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So pleased for you that you’ve finally been able to chat with Dr Hepworth and now have some sort of a plan going forward, hopefully things will run smoother now 
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I completed a month of Pentoxifylline with no change in my tinnitus. I texted Dr. Hepworth and he actually got right back to me! He is out of the office today but said we could start working on the muscle block/botox and upright cervical imaging tomorrow.
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FANTASTIC! I don’t know when he’ll be back in Denver, but I know he’s got to get his new office staff up & running before 8/1 so he should be back from the training he’s providing in HI soon.
Good that he’s helping you now, but a shame you still have the tinnitus…
I had pain from left ear down the neck.
It went away immediately post ES surgery on that side. It was a smaller vein that was trying to take up the slack for the blocked Left Jugular vein. It had become varicose and was very painful.
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I’m glad that problem is behind you, @juliezuber.
How are you doing after your second surgery @juliezuber
Not good. Sad to say.
This recovery has been rougher than the other side I had.
There are lumps in the scar area and up and down my neck. The jaw line is still numb.
I still have head pain and pressure (tinnitus - constant like i am listening to a sea shell), intermittent head ache at back of head (transverse sinus?), and my left ear has ramped up again (itching, pain, sensitive ear drum, feels like fluid drains into it when I sleep on that side).
I think I have another sinus infection.
Heps office is a mess . It is hard to get help or even get them to follow through on things they were supposed to order a month ago.
I am tired of dealing with pain and having to fight for help.
I’m so sorry to hear about your rough recovery, @juliezuber & especially that there hasn’t been good follow-up on Dr. Hepworth’s part. All of his patients are holding out hope that things will be much different when he restarts on 8/1, though I imagine there may some “rough water” still as the new staff get settled & the busy-ness of that office ramps up. I will pray for your nerves to heal & pain to settle but especially for communication lines to open for you with Dr. Hepworth.
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Yep, frustrating. Balls get dropped and you get treated badly when you try to get it straightened out.
I’m so sorry that this surgery hasn’t been great, that’s really rough for you. I hope that with the change with Dr H’s office that he’ll be able to follow up better- I think he’s been away training other doctors recently, so that probably doesn’t help.
Praying that things improve for you, sending you hugs as well
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Urg, Dr Hepworth 's office sounds frustrating to work with.
It doesn’t take a fully ready and decorated office to answer post op patients
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Dr. Hepworth was under the “umbrella” of Veros Health for a number of years. It seems that Veros was calling the shots for his medical practice. As of Aug. 1, he will no longer be affiliated with Veros. We all have great hope & expectations for positive changes in his office.
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I didn’t notice much difference on Pentoxifylline but I sure have noticed a difference since I stopped. Terrible flare-up this week. I woke up twice last night with loud ringing in my left ear and have had pain and pressure the past three days. Same tightness in my neck and ear area.