Thank you. I really, really need it. I’ve continued to have a ridiculous number of very difficult personal and health challenges pile on top of this. I try to see the positive side: I’m so lucky that I can spend sometimes hours a day at medical appointments trying to figure out what is wrong.
1 Like
Good you can try to find a positive in this! Only way to deal with it all really, I feel for you 
With ICA compression I would think any doctor aware of that situation should move you to the front of the line. I’m very sorry you’ve been put off!! Give that doctor who said she’d call you back another call on Monday to find out when you can expect to hear from her. Being pushing in a situation like yours is critical! You can also call the office of the doctor you have the appt w/ in 19 days to request getting on their cancellation list, if you haven’t already, & also let them know you have carotid artery impingement so your situation is critical. I don’t know if that will help, but it might.
1 Like
Well, the ENT confirmed that some of my styloid ligament is calcified. However, she didn’t think it could be causing the stenosis and has no way of confirming which of my symptoms could be coming from it, and so is hesitant to perform surgery and potentially make me worse. I get it. If ES isn’t causing the compression, that means I’m currently looking at ICA stenosis, a potential ICA pseudoanurysm, venous thoracic outlet compression, TMJ, upper cervical instability, and Eagle Syndrome. I also have Ehlers Danlos. I don’t know what’s happening but I’m really getting concerned that soon I’ll find out the hard way.
Dr. Constantino doesn’t do a wait list.
1 Like
I’m sorry that this ENT wasn’t that helpful, I’m sure the waiting is scary, but at least with one of the doctors experienced with VES you’re more likely to get a proper answer…so is it still a couple of weeks until you speak to Dr Costantino?
1 Like
@Ifrit - I’m also sorry the ENT was a bit dismissive. It sounds like she isn’t well versed w/ ICA compression being caused by ES. Taking care of that during a styloidectomy procedure is usually fairly straightforward.
Some of our members who’ve had suspected ICA compression have purchased a soft cervical collar to wear till surgery which helps remind them to keep their head in a neutral position or out of whatever position exacerbates the vascular symptoms. These can even be slept in at night. You might consider buying one. Amazon has a good selection, & they aren’t too expensive. Just search “soft neck collar” on the Amazon site. If you’d prefer to get one that’s more custom fitted, I expect any local medical supply store would carry them.
DDS makes top of the line neck traction collar for EMS, but I use for keeping my neck straight. As a bonus, it lifts up your cervical spine helping create space between discs. It pushes on your chin and back of head to lengthen spine. I tried the giraffe inflatable pillows off of amazon and it only lasted a year (materials leak air). eBay probably has sencond hand neck collars and traction systems for deep discounts.
1 Like