I just read her story; what an inspiration! Were you able to get help with your styloids, Jules? I’m not sure if you already mentioned this but hopeful that you got some relief also 
2 Likes
Dr. Hackman seems like a great physician 
2 Likes
@Lynny43 - Dr. Hackman is a great & experienced ES surgeon. He also does bilateral surgeries i.e. removes both elongated styloids in one surgery for those who have bilateral ES. That’s a bonus for people who don’t want 2 surgeries & 2 recoveries.
2 Likes
I had surgery about 9 years ago, & thank you, it was amazing the difference it made to my vascular symptoms, I’ve been very lucky!
2 Likes
I love hearing all the success stories and am so happy for you!
2 Likes
A little update on myself. I ended up seeing a neurologist yesterday. I explained all my symptoms including sleep issues, vision issues, feeling detached, pulsatile tinnitus, ect. and showed her my scan above. She did not believe my styloid or neck was causing any of my issues! I asked her then what it could be since my previous head scan was normal. She chalked it up to anxiety 
She did believe seeing a vascular specialist could be a good next step though. So frustrating explaining to these specialists whats going on when they dont experience these symptoms themselves.
Anyway, has anyone had issues with their hyoid bone at all? She did mention mine stuck out more than it should and on my scan above, appears to have been injured in the past. Thank you in advance!
I’m sorry that she was so unaware of ES & the symptoms it causes, it’s so frustrating… Would you be able to send your scans to one of the experienced VES surgeons on our list otherwise? It’s good she has agreed a vascular surgeon might be a next step, but I’d worry that you could wait a while for that appointment, & then if this surgeon doesn’t understand ES either you could have wasted more time? The VES doctors that we know of are Dr Hepworth in CO, Dr Costantino in NY, Dr Cognetti in PA, or Dr Nakaji in AZ…
Not that many doctors on our list treat HBS if you think this might be an issue too:
Dr Marshall Smith, Salt Lake City (Successful thyroid cartilage surgery on ramblinman but does not do ES surgery) Marshall E. Smith | University of Utah Health
Has published a research paper into clicking of the throat & successful surgery:
Clicking in the throat: cinematic fiction or surgical fact? - PubMed
Dr. Karuna Dewan, Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport - Academic Medical Center - Specializes in Hyoid Bone Syndrome surgeries
1541 Kings Hwy, Shreveport, Louisiana, 1-318-626-0050
Karuna Dewan, MD | Ochsner LSU Health She needs a referral from another doctor though…
Dr Brad deSilva, OSU Wexner Hospital, https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/find-a-doctor/brad-desilva-md-22675 He has also done hyoid bone surgery.
3 Likes
Thank you for all the research 
It would be nice if I could find a specialist who dealt with both, as I dont know if 1 issue is worse than the other or which one is causing the symptoms. I just know that it stems from the neck. I’ll have to reach out to some of your specialists you listed if I get no where with this vascular specialst. I did upload my photo to Dr. Osborne from California, and his staff called me a millisecond after I uploaded it, stating that my photo was sufficient and he would have consult with me, however, I wouldn’t want to travel to California, and I heard he’s pricier than most. Thanks @Jules
2 Likes
@Lynny43 - Having a consult w/ Dr. Osborne would be tremendously helpful as he’s very knowledgeable about ES & possibly Hyoid Bone Syndrome. He does phone consults & has helped a number of our members get the diagnosis they needed. There is no expectation on his part that you’ll you’ll have him do your surgery.
2 Likes
Thank you @Isaiah_40_31 
It’s funny you say that because I went to my atlas orthogonal practitioner today, and she said the exact same thing, to pay the few hundred dollars for the consultation at least, get a definitive diagnosis and a possible referral to someone closer to Michigan, if he would do that. I’ve watched quite a few of his YouTube videos, and he definitely seems to be the best of the best.
2 Likes
I hope everyone is doing well on here. 
I go in for my carotid ultrasound tomorrow and will be seeing the vascular surgeon afterwards. I’m hoping this ultrasound will also assess my jugular veins. Lately, the front of my neck has been very sore and feels like everything is pulling and shifting forward if that makes any sense. Of course the disconnected feeling and visual issues are still there also. Fingers crossed 
this test reveals something, and something can be done.
3 Likes
I hope that it’s helpful for a diagnosis , let us know how you get on 
2 Likes
He wants a new CTA of my vessels, carotids, arch, etc. Afterwards, he’s sending me to a neurosurgeon who performs skull base surgeries. Even though, I really didn’t learn anything new, he at least was respectful and listened and looked at my previous images also. He does believe I’m possibly dealing with Eagle’s syndrome. I’m on the right track I believe now at least. 
3 Likes
It’s really good news that the doctor you saw believes you may be dealing w/ ES. That’s HUGE! I hope the new CTA provides all the necessary evidence for you to get a solid diagnosis so you can start moving forward w/ surgery or whatever you choose as your next step.
1 Like
I’m glad that he listened, and is willing to consider ES!
1 Like
Hey everyone. My CTA is scheduled for this Thursday. I’m a little nervous because I’ve had this done before, and the radiologist didn’t notice anything. It was Jeffery Middleton who did the 3D rendering that found the styloid and hyoid issue. Anyway, the doctor specifically is asking for the veins, arteries and arch on this one. Will the radiologist pinpoint the hyoid bone and styloids also or will they just focus on the above? It was a pretty rough weekend. I bought the wedge pillow and fell asleep for about 10 minutes with it, but when I woke up I was in a panic, blurry vision, and I didn’t know where I was at. Would this be the jugular vein issue? Thank you
I’m sorry that you’ve had a bad weekend! Unfortunately radiologists quite often only look for what they’ve been instructed to assess, and don’t look for anything else, no matter how glaringly obvious it is! So just because nothing was noted on your last scan it doesn’t mean it can’t be seen this time. And it doesn’t mean that they’ll actually report on the styloids & hyoid bone, but you can ask while you’re there if these could be reported on, & get a copy for yourself then you can have a look to see as well.
Usually a wedge pillow helps with headaches, pressure & IJV compression symptoms, maybe your head went into an awkward position which caused more compression- it could’ve been carotid artery compression if it came on that quickly, so if it happens again I’d not use the pillow for now…
2 Likes
Thank you Jules It seems like it doesnt matter anymore what position my head is in, I’m having symptoms. I actually thought about that myself, perhaps telling the radiologist tech to make a special note to focus on my hyoid bone, stylohilar ligaments and styloids. I appreciate you and this forum.
2 Likes
@Lynny43 - Radiologists generally will not do extra looking at things at a patient’s request, beyond what the doctor has ordered so it would be best to ask the ordering doctor to add viewing the styloids, stylohyoid ligaments & hyoid bone to the order.
I’m sorry for your severe symptoms over the weekend. Have you tried icing your neck several times during the day & perhaps just before going to sleep? Sometimes that helps. Anxiety like you’ve described is often related to vagus nerve dysfunction which is common w/ ES & HBS.
I hope you get a solid answer & diagnosis very soon.
2 Likes
Thank you @Isaiah_40_31 I might reach out to the doctor’s office beforehand and see if those items could be attached to the order also.
2 Likes