Hi & welcome back!
It’s great that your radiologist gave a detailed report, and recognised what was happening with the styloid process, but so frustrating that your ENT dismissed this!
There’s more awareness with ES now and jugular compression amongst a handful of doctors who are treating this, so don’t give up, there is help out there!
Looking at the images, it seems that your styloid process isn’t that long, but a section of calcified ligament is pinching the IJV between this and the C1 process. It varies very much between people how much they’re affected by the IJV compression, some people develop collateral veins in the back of the skull which take the blood flow away from the brain, & then they aren’t as symptomatic, others have what doesn’t appear to be much compression but they feel pretty ill with it…
It sounds as if you’re getting the more ‘classic’ ES symptoms of nerve pain around your throat, ear, shoulders and the trouble swallowing, along with more vascular symptoms like dizziness. The vagus nerve can also be affected and this can cause breathlessness amongst other things. Here’s a link to info about common symptoms & what might be causing them, including vascular symptoms- this wasn’t written when you first joined so you might not have seen it:
ES Information: Common Symptoms And Possible Explanations For Them - Welcome / Newbies Guide to Eagle Syndrome - Living with Eagle
As you mention dizziness with certain head movements, it might be that there is some compression then on the carotid artery, and your report mentions that’s a possibility…
Given your radiology report, it would be a good idea to try seeing one of the doctors most experienced with vascular ES, if you’re able to travel? Dr Costantino in NY and Dr Cognetti in PA both do phone consults I believe, otherwise Dr Hepworth in CO, Dr Nakaji in AZ and Dr Fargen in NC all treat VES, but do have quite long waiting times. Then if a C1 shave is felt necessary, or there’s any soft tissue compressing the IJVs as well, they can do this too. Here’s a link to the Doctors list so you can look up the doctors’ details:
Doctor Lists – no discussion - Symptoms and Treatments / Doctor Information - Living with Eagle
Sleeping propped up might help with your symptoms, muscle relaxant medications and nerve pain medications might be helpful too. There are also a few supplements that have been tried to help with the head pressure from IJV compression, if that’s uncomfortable for you, here’s a link to that info:
ES Information- Treatment: Pain Relief, Medications and Alternative Therapies - Welcome / Newbies Guide to Eagle Syndrome - Living with Eagle
I hope this helps & encourages you to push for treatment!
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