Kansas City MO

A CT scan diagnosed me with Eagle’s syndrome. I was concentrating on the large cysts in my sinus, the TMJ, and jaw joint that’s severely impaired that I totally read right over the Eagle comments. DUH! I have an appointment with Dr Andrew Coughlin in Omaha Neb on Monday; I have tried to contact DR Mathew Conoyer in St Louis area, but without any success, Does anybody have any info in those DR? I’m not a huge KU med fan. Also, if one would go out of the area for surgery can you fly home? Yes, I have most of the symptoms, probably for years. They just became a problem the last several months. I am very holistic and I will call my acupuncturist and apologize. I told her she needed to work on her input of needles. Appreciate any input. My PT wants to know if TMJ effects how the surgery should be done?

Hi Painfree,

You’ve asked some good questions. Here is a link for Dr. Conoyer that I found on the internet. I hope it’s helpful: https://entmidwest.com/our-practice/dr-j-matthew-conoyer/

And here is info about Dr. Coughlin: https://health.usnews.com/doctors/andrew-coughlin-810523

Both doctors have the specialty we recommend seeking out for ES surgery - ENT w/ skull-based surgical experience. Though their websites don’t specifically say they’re skull-based surgeons, the descriptions of what each does speaks to that end. I do think it’s worthwhile going to Dr. Coughlin on Mon. & then perhaps getting a second opinion. Many of us have done that. I’m not finding any posts on either doctor but since they’re on our doctors list, they must have done ES surgery for forum members in the past.

We tend to see better results from external surgery than intraoral as the styloids can more easily be removed at the skull base & the stylohyoid ligaments taken out as well (if not calcified, this is done to prevent future opportunity for that to happen). The nerves & vascular tissues can also be monitored during surgery whereas that’s not possible w/ intraoral surgery.

For you, another argument for external surgery would be your advanced TMJ problem. Having your mouth propped wide open for an hour of intraoral surgery will certainly not help your joint & will likely leave you in more pain in that area.

You can fly after surgery, however, some surgeons prefer that their patients stay in the area for a few days of healing post op so they can do an exam before you leave.

Not many people have had ES pain relieved by acupuncture or chiropractic care though there are a few exceptions. In some cases, chiropractic neck adjustments can be down right dangerous for people w/ ES prior to surgery.

I hope this info helps!

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Any updates? I was also looking at dr Matt conoyer

I think the world of Dr Conoyer and Methodist hospital in Omaha. My 1st surgery I woke up feeling better than I had in months/ yr. Because it was so amazing he agreed to move up my second surgery to 6 weeks. When the scheduling lady came it was less than a month and it kicked my rear. My husbands version was get it done before we start battling snow storms. Anyway I think my rt side was also in much rougher shape, surgery got moved back to latter in the day, and the recovery room closed. All annoying things, I suffered from vertigo on our 3-4 hr drive home. It’s all good now, once swelling went down. I think it’s all sinus related and as swelling and nerves recover it just keeps improving.
It has now been 5 months since I had them both done and I’m 80% back. I see improvement every week. I’m also 68. I have had a knot above my right eye for 3 yr., probably sinus related. My headache, throat, face pain improved immediately. Ear and upper teeth ache took a bit longer. Ear started draining Super bowl Weekend and I had an wonderful sore throat. A navage has helped me a lot. The only discomfort I have at this point is sometimes upper achy teeth. ( sinus)

Cold weather and large groups of people interactions several days in a row, can cause some soreness.

So he prefers to do internal, thinks it’s an easier recovery. He readily agreed to do mine externally because: small jaw, fat cheeks; TMJ; and I had cleft palette surgery. Also one of my jaw joints is pretty much gone, probably due to cleft.

My scars are amazing; I did have a bit of tender spot on the last scar maybe 1/2 long. Steroid bandaids solved the Problem.

I think he is very talented surgeon and has a wonderful NP. I am taking no nerve pills, and really didn’t need the pain stuff much past first 3 days. The only thing I take is a Tylenol PM.

Do not be discouraged if he ? How much he can help you. I think he’s just starting to realize it’s much more than just a sore throat is involved. BUT mention the sore throat that all because he feels confident in helping that problem.

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We live in KC ( KU area). I looked and researched
Dr Conoyer. However, I also called numerous dr and checked health grades and numerous other sources on Dr. around the country. Try to get morning surgeries if you can. He’s a cancer specialist and those patients can be in such rough shape. We are easy- Peasy in his world.

I think the patient he had before me on my last surgery was a really tough one. We would certainly consider that hospital and him for any cancer problems too. We have never seen such a CLEAN hospital, and we have seen numerous ones through the years.

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Oops I ended up going to Omaha. Dr Conoyer took 2-3 weeks to return my phone call and emails. I have the impression he didn’t want to do an external. The Dr in Omaha was also a plastic surgeon plus a head and neck cancer surgeon.
Sorry I didn’t pay attention on the name, my husband caught it. Dee

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I went to Dr Andrew Coughlin , Methodist hospital, Omaha Nebraska.
I did hear nice things about Dr. Conoyer from another NP in St Louis. I think his office just isn’t

Run as efficiently. Omaha contacted me within 2 hrs of an email. I was on my way back from Omaha and my consultation with Dr Coughlin when Dr COnoyer offer answered my email. I had called twice too. I looked into Oklahoma too.

I wasn’t as impressed with KU Dr. I think the list may have a 2nd Dr listed now.

I also looked into Cleveland clinic, the Dr I wanted has quit doing the procedure and I contact Arizonia. Appointment for a consult was 5 months out. Then I kinda looked at places that were direct flights from KC.

Best of luck. Let me know what you decide. I feel better than I have in yr.

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Thank you SO much for the info! I’m going to meet with Dr. Conoyer next month. I called his office and was scheduled the same day for a consult so I’m surprised to hear that! I will update soon. Hoping for a good consultation with him. :slight_smile:

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I think my problem came because I knew I had to have and wanted external. In my emails and phone calls I wanted to know if he did external before I scheduled. So they never returned phone call and took 2 weeks in an email.
Methodist had me scheduled for a consult in 2 weeks. Best of luck! I also looked at Oklahoma.

I’m so thankful I didn’t have to fly anyplace.

A nurse had me contact a cancer Dr in St Louis that she considers excellent. He doesn’t do Eagles in the course of the conversation his NP spoke highly of Dr Conoyer.

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Hi Painfree. I’m also located in Kansas City but my in-laws are in Omaha so that’s one option for me. Did Dr. Coughlin have a good understanding of Eagles? I’m looking at Dr. Hepworth in Denver as well but might start with someone closer.