@CAYTexas - I’d leave that ENT at a dead run!! Agreed that he was condescending, & I’ll add egotistical & ignorant.
Your symptoms are “oh so very ES” & likely the vascular version. The numbness you experienced in your face/neck on the left + fainting episodes could point to internal carotid artery (ICA) compression, however, many of your other vascular symptoms point to internal jugular vein (IJV)compression: progressive hearing loss, plugged ear, tinnitus, dizziness, pressure behind/in your eye, & balance issues. Brain fog &/or a sense of derealization also often accompany IJV compression.
I experienced hearing loss as a symptom of my IJV compression, but was diagnosed w/ Meniere’s Disease & treated for that for 6 years before I figured out it was likely IJV compression that had caused it. Unfortunately, I had a surgery about 3 years into my hearing loss adventure to try to stop the hearing loss which has left me w/ permanent loud tinnitus & didn’t stop hearing loss. I finally had my IJV decompression surgery 10 years after the initial onset of my hearing/vascular symptoms. That has stopped hearing loss progression but was unable to resolve the tinnitus. There is documented medical evidence that IJV decompression can restore hearing that IJV compression causes.
@Jules wrote a very comprehensive post about ES symptoms & possible causes which you can read here: ES Information: Common Symptoms And Possible Explanations For Them
In answer to your questions:
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@LisaMaria has given you an excellent doctor resource for getting diagnosed. Dr. Osborne is highly respected & regarded on this forum. He’s helped an increasing number of our members though he doesn’t do IJV decompressions per se unless only a styloidectomy is needed to achieve that end. Sometimes C1 needs to have a bit shaved off, too, for the best decompression results.
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Doctors who deal w/ vES -
•Dr. Babu Welch does IJV decompression surgeries - •Dr. Babu Welch at UT Southwestern, 5303 Harry Hines Blvd 7th floor, Dallas, has performed surgery for VES (also Dr Lee Pride, interventional radiologist can diagnose ES) [Babu Welch, M.D.: Neurological Surgery | Cerebrovascular Disease | UT Southwestern Medical Center](Babu Welch, M.D.: Neurological Surgery | Cerebrovascular Disease | UT Southwestern Medical Center)
•Dr. Edward Hepworth, Denver Sinus Care, 3150 E 3rd Ave, Denver, CO 80206 (720) 899-9489, FAX (720) 953-5151, email: info@denversinuscare.com or for initial consults - kcurry@denversinuscare.com
•Dr Peter Costantino, 4 Westchester Park Dr, 4th floor, White Plains, (914) 517-8056
http://www.nyhni.org/find-a-physician/Peter-D-Costantino-MD,FACS .
Does do online or phone consults. Email Shantel for an appointment - SMorrison@iss.org
- The vagus nerve along with the IJV & ICA are enclosed in the carotid sheath. When the IJV becomes squashed, most often between the styloid & C1 vertebra, the vagus is also squashed which can result in heart issues such as yours, blood pressure problems, swallowing issues, increased anxiety/depression, gastrointestinal issues, body temp regulation, & vocal loss among other things. The vagus is the largest & most extensive of our cranial nerves & can wreak havoc in our bodies when it’s unhappy. I had terrible eye pressure, behind my left eye, heart palpitations & blood pressure problems among my symptoms besides the hearing loss.
We’re glad you found us & hope the information we provide will help you get a proper diagnosis sooner than later.