Hello all,
I am grateful to have found this online support group and I am hoping that some of you may be able to help guide me. Several months ago, I developed a terrible sore throat; after about 8 days, I was struggling to breathe. I was out-of-town, and when I returned, I headed straight for my doctor. I was provided with an inhaler, even though I had never been diagnosed with asthma or breathing problems, and given an antibiotic for my sore throat. Both actually did help and I was told to stay on the inhaler for 6 months. At the four-month mark, my throat was on fire and I stopped the inhaler. My doctor said I had thrush; she prescribed medicine for that and thrush went away. However, my throat only became more and more severe, so she sent me to an ENT in May.
I explained to the ENT that I was having problems talking, swallowing, and eating, and that the pain was shooting from my throat up through my face and ears. He immediately diagnosed me with what he termed “a hyoid bone problem” and asked me to take Ibuprofren (800 mg/daily) for a few weeks. That did not help. He then prescribed Predinsone, 21 pills over 6 days. That has just barely helped, if at all.
He said if that did not help, he would give me an injection in my neck. I am scheduled to see him again Tuesday. Unfortunately, my ENT did not give me a specific name for this problem other than a “hyoid bone issue” and I’ve been in so much pain it did not occur to me to ask for a specific name. Now, doing my research, I see there is something called Hyoid Bone Syndrome and there is Eagle Syndrome. It seems they are similar, except with Hyoid Bone Syndrome it looks like neck injections could resolve this issue permanently and that surgery is not recommended. With Eagle Syndrome, it appears the neck injections are a temporary solution and surgery is the only answer.
My question: Has anyone heard of Hyoid Bone Syndrome? I will ask for more details Tuesday, but I am curious if anyone has heard of that or if anyone has been diagnosed with that. Also, if I have Eagle Syndrome, should I immediately seek out a doctor here in Florida, and if so, does anyone know if insurance covers this surgery if it is required? I am able to travel, so if there is a doctor outside of Florida, I am able to work with that person.
I have certainly written quite a lot, I am sorry it’s so long! Just trying to explain my story and, I suppose, get clarity for myself as well. This pain is really upsetting me; I have never quite felt anything this awful and I am nervous. Can’t talk, swallow, or eat without significant pain. Thank you for your help,