New to this world after a CT scan today with a tmj specialist. I thought I was struggling with tmj but my joint looks great. But they did note ossification of my stylohyoid ligaments
Have had symptoms for three years from clenching. Original onset was face pain, eye pressure, swollen lymph node by ear, ear pain and tinnitus. Steroids and night guard helped calm a lot of those symptoms. Wearing night guard daily now but still have face pain neck pain and headaches
Tmj specialist is making me a special appliance to reduce grinding, will be trying Botox and myofunctional therapy.
I live in new mexico so not great health care here. Based on my CT scan would you also see an ENT? Or address these clenching issues and if I am still in pain see an ENT?
@Mpasman - You may have tried to post your image before the account upgraded. I just checked it, & you should be good to go now for uploading images I’m sorry you weren’t able to initially.
I think looking at those images, there is alot of calcification on your ligaments, so I personally would want to see someone with experience of ES next. We have the name of one doctor in your state on our list:
Dr Ryan Orosco, 2500 Marble Ave NE, Albuquerque, (505) 272-2111, https://hsc.unm.edu/directory/orosco-ryan-cc.html
I don’t know if it’s possible for you to get in contact with him? Otherwise it is worth travelling out of state to see a doctor with experience- some doctors do phone or video consults initially.
Thank you Jules! I just called my tmj dentist to make a referral to see him. Fingers crossed that process goes well and I can see him. Appreciate the referral and your response
Your story is staring off a lot like mine. I chased TMJ for over 2 years and only ended up with more damage. The mouth guards ultimately shifted my bite so badly I have to under ALF treatment and another round of orthodontics. ( A 3 yr process and a good 27K out of pocket!) I was also told I needed to fill cavities that weren’t there and underwent a root canal on a back molar that was not needed. After dealing with dentist for so long I went to a maxillofacial Dr. who outright laughed at my thoughts on possible ES. It took a trip out of state to find the answers my existing doctors already had. Please proceed with caution, I was never once informed of the risks with mouth guards. I am currently 2 days post op of my left styloidectomy and am astonished at the number of symptoms related to just that alone. Wishing you all the best. Find a good ENT who will order that CT Angiogram and seek care with someone who knows ES well. Dr. Ryan Osborne is my specialist. He has a world renown reputation and offers telemedicine appointments that can get your questions answered. Wishing you all the best.
Thank you for your update, @vcp02. I’m so glad your surgery went well & you’re already experiencing some symptoms relief. You’re still super early in recovery & may get more uncomfortable over the next few days, but I hope not. ES recovery is a bit of a roller coaster ride as nerve healing is not linear but can improve then fall apart repeatedly over the next few months. However, each good period will get longer, & the pain relapses will be fewer & farther apart as time passes. Please post updates as you heal. We love to hear positive stories & are here for support when healing is slower than expected.
Good news that you’ve had surgery & that it’s gone well, but so sorry for you going through all that pain & cost for no reason! Hugs & prayers for a good recovery
