Thank you, so I need Doctors that treat the issues not just symptoms. I wasn’t aware of the differences in Doctors.
I think that’s basically the diffetence between a good doctor & a bad doctor!!
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The only way to get rid of ES symptoms is to have your elongated styloid(s) &/or calcified stylohyoid ligament(s) removed. The symptoms can be treated with various medications i.e. gabapentin, Neurontin, amitriptyline & the like. Lidocaine or cortisone injections in the neck are also used. These help block nerve pain but not always successfully or for the long term. A doctor who doesn’t recommend surgery to remove your SP(s) & s-h ligament(s) is not experienced w/ ES.
Try to get an appointment w/ an ENT who’s also a skull-based surgeon. Doctors w/ that specialty operate in the area of the neck where the SPs are & should be familiar with how to handle a styloidectomy. I prefer the external approach because more of the SP & the complete ligament can be removed by that approach. Additionally nerves & vascular tissues can be monitored during surgery. The intraoral approach provides less access to the styloid & little ability to monitor nerves & vascular tissues so the styloid can only be partially shortened. That said there are people who’ve had good success w/ intraoral surgery for ES.
I am 71, Jan., and I had symptoms of ear aches, headaches and was told I had inner ear infection also. The !ast few months started the sharp pains bi-laterally. As I posted before I had to change my insurance plan to get a list of Doctors, the info that I received from this group is very informative. I have an appointment Jan 14, and learned from the group what questions to ask, and what their qualifications are. If they just treat symptoms or are they skilled in the ES surgeries. I was also offered several groups in my area that are E S Specialists by my new insurance company. Thank you all for the information that you all share.
Hope your appt. goes well on Jan 14th!
Hello July123
I have had all my lower molars removed over a number of years despite the dentist telling me there was nothing wrong! But they were willing to do a root canal. First the root canal then the extraction!!! At least I didn’t get duped into the root canal first on the last 2 done this year.
Years ago when the relentless throbbing (from the ES and the nite time clenching) wouldn’t stop, I told the dentist if he wouldn’t pull them, I would do whatever it took to numb it enough to do it myself. He believed me and started doing extractions. I don’t have teeth pain anymore but I don’t have anything to chew on either…all worth it for me!!! Eventually I will address the teeth issues, but not until the ES is remedied!
Hi Crevels70,
Congratulations! You’ll be 71 years “young” on your birthday! That is fantastic!
I’m also glad you have an appointment in Jan. & other options if that one doesn’t work out. I’m leary about your insurance company’s knowledge of ES because ES specialists are few & far between. That they’re offering you “several groups” in your area that are ES specialists sounds fishy to me.
One more bit of advice. Some doctors think the way to fix ES is to simply break the styloid in place & leave the pieces floating around inside your neck. THAT IS NOT A SOLUTION & can actually create a worse situation. If the doctor you see suggests that (s)he wants to do that, adamantly refuse, & never go back to that office again. There was a member on this forum who went to an ES “specialist”. He examined her, broke her styloids by pressing on them w/ his fingers, & told her she was “fixed”. He didn’t even ask her before he did it. She hasn’t been on here since that happened, so I can’t tell you how she’s doing or if she pursued further treatment after that. We, here on the forum, were all horrified to read her story.
Very much hoping & praying that you find a wonderful, knowledgeable doctor at your Jan. appt.
Thank you for this information. I will ask all questions that you and others have suggested.
Just wanted to update where I’m currently at with my journey. I was able to see an awesome Neurologist who was able to rule out GPN and agreed my symptoms are being caused by ES. He got me referred to an ENT (on the list of ES doctors) and I am scheduling an appointment with him this week. Praying all goes well and I’m able to get scheduled for surgery. I’ve been taking Trileptol and it hasn’t done anything for the pain, so I’ve been switched to Tegretol and am also going to try nerve injections to help deal with it until I can get surgery. Thank you for the support and prayers!
Exciting! There’s nothing like that magical phrase, “My surgery coordinator will contact you to get you on the schedule”…I hope you hear that soon!!!
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Great news, hope you hear soon! Is your doctor through the navy/ forces or were you able to go outside their system?
Jules, I was able to get them to send me to a doctor outside of the Navy.
That’s good, let us know when you get a date!
Just wanted to update you, my surgery is going to be tomorrow, intraoral tonsillectomy then styloidectomy. Doc is confident he can get a good amount of the styloid out so time will tell. Prayers appreciated. Thanks!
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I’ll send some up for you, hope it goes well! Let us know how you get on when you’re ready, thinking of you 
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I’ll be praying for you, too, Maison22. Glad you found a surgeon you’re comfortable with & a strategy that works for you!
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Hi Maison22 -
Please let us know how your surgery went when you’re able. Still praying for a quick recovery for you. The first couple of weeks are the worst from a pain & swelling standpoint. Let your family take care of you while you recover. No pushing yourself - it slows recovery.
Surgery went well, he was able to get just under 3cm out. Recovery so far has been rough to be honest. Can’t really talk or eat much. Swelling is starting to set in and my neck is really tender and swollen under my jaw (didn’t think that would happen since it was intraoral) but I’m optimistic and have a lot of help here which is great. Thanks again for all the support and prayers. I’ll update again soon
Hi Maison22,
Glad surgery went well. You had the double whammy - both a tonsillectomy & intraoral surgery. It will take a bit longer for you to recover due to the amount of tampering w/ your throat that just occurred. Ice your neck, drink your meals, even if it’s one sip at a time to help keep your strength up. My husband kindly made me blender meals where he’d take whatever he’d made us for dinner (meat, veggies, etc.,) & blended it all together w/ almond milk. Sounds terrible & looked awful but ended up being quite tasty. Another option is having your wife purchase a good quality protein powder & blending it together w/ some fruit, veggies, yogurt, juice, or whatever you like. I’m guessing that drinking something cool/cold probably feels better than warm things right now.
Looking forward to hearing how your recovery goes. I’m sending a gentle hug & am glad you have lots of support.
Glad it’s over & you can get on with healing- intraoral is a tough surgery…will keep you in my prayers.