Hey thank you so much - I’ll ask my current treating ENT for something a bit higher but I am worried about the side effects. The insomnia and insane reflux is what concerns me with a higher dose, but I probably need to give the lower dose more time. I’m naturally a very anxious and impatient person (fantastic I know) so I want to get this resolved, and I’m just a bit afraid of the unknown (particularly when I will get an appt with the eagle ENT, whether I will even get the surgery, when I will ever be better???). But I know many people have it a lot worse than me. So I am grateful
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Prednisone makes me super anxious, hyper, angry, & insomniac, but I don’t get reflux. I hate the side effects but love the efficacy. I was so glad when Dr. Hepworth told me dexamethasone works as well w/ less side effects than prednisone when I asked for a post op RX as the dex doesn’t affect me so negatively.
With IJV compression also comes vagus nerve compression/irritation. The vagus is at least in part responsible for anxiety levels so the fact you have heightened anxiety could point to vagus irritation at the very least.
I totally understand being impatient w/ the unknown timeframe for a more solid diagnosis & treatment ahead of you. Been there & done that! I hope you’re able to get on Prof Elliot’s schedule ASAP. In the meantime try to put all that aside & go enjoy your vacation!
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Thanks so much, again I appreciate your insight so much.
did anyone have a red sore patch on the inside of their throat (on the bad styloid side)? I have a red swollen patch on my right side inside my throat which makes swallowing even saliva very painful and sore. Is this another eagle thing or possibly indicative of something else?
Could this be tonsils regrowing?
@cool-man-murphy-dan Could it be some sort of infection? Steroids tend to impair immune function. @Jules mentioned gabapentin which might be worth a try as it reduces excitatory neurotransmitter release, decreasing pain but also decreasing the alarm signals about pain. It also help promote slow-wave sleep which is helpful. Dose ranges are huge so there is a lot of room to play with symptom relief/side effects. You could start as low as 100 mg 3 times a day up to 1200 mg 3 times a day.
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Thanks for that explanation of how gabapentin works @Chrickychricky , you are so knowledgeable 
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Hey Dan!
I’m Kelsea! It’s nice to meet you. I’ve read about your story and I’m sorry you’re having a hard time with everything.
I hope that you get some meds that help you, and don’t give you insomnia or reflux.
I did have braces too, and that caused me to have TMJ as well. I’ve been treated for that since Nov. I’ve recently gotten Botox and that has helped me some. It has relieved some pain in my jaw and temples but it’s not totally gone. I do have to say that the Botox has been administered by my TMJ Specialist, not just a dentist. I’ve also been going to the chiropractor which that didn’t help me much, so I switched to going to Physical Therapy. I’m going certain exercises for my jaw and my back, and that has helped me some too.
Hope to hear from you! Good luck with everything, you got this!
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