Which Dr did you see in NZ?
@Gina1961 - It’s really good when a doctor is honest about not wanting to operate outside his/her comfort zone. I’m really glad Dr. Chaplin was up front with you that way. I hope Prof Elliott is a big help to you, but I’m sorry his location isn’t convenient.
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@EagleEye20 - @Gina saw Dr. Chaplin.
Telehealth with Dr Chaplin
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Thankyou. Yes Dr Chaplin was very nice. A lot of patients fly interstate to see Dr Elliott- NZ is the east island 
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As a former Kiwi, I thought Australia was the West Island of NZ 
Merl from the Modsupport Team
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Absolutely but I thought too subtle for anyone outside Australasia 
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There’s that many Kiwi’s in Oz now, it’s hard to tell the difference anyway 
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Hi Gina,
Fellow kiwi here! Sorry to hear you’re having to go through this too. I’ve had progressive symptoms for the last 12 years and finally had left styloidectomy surgery in November last year. Unfortunately I had to self diagnose to get the opportunity to get any attention but was lucky that a plastic surgeon in Wellington recognised the compression of the IJV by the styloid and offered surgery in 3 weeks. Unfortunately the surgery was largely unsuccessful despite the removal of the styloid - it feels as though the nerves are caught within my incision/scar area. The IJV and enlarged vein at the back of my head (could be the occipital vein - I’ve only just noticed this in my recent ct scan but realise now it’s been there all along) have not changed since surgery either so I am planning to see Dr Elliott in September to discuss further - if I can muster the trip. Keen to hear how you get on with him. Do you have an appointment booked? Based on my experience I think having a consult with Dr Elliott at the very least to get his interpretation of your condition would be beneficial. Another nz member I keep in touch with is seeing Dr James Saunders in Hamilton. I may consult with him later in the year if necessary. It can take a while to get an appointment with him so best to book as soon as possible. I know he’s operated on a case with carotid involvement but not sure of his thoughts of IJV involvement.
This is my post-op anatomy. The styloid process is very chunky, so could be causing issues still when I move my head, but technically isn’t touching my IJV in this scan. My neck is so sensitive to the touch now. Any tiny pressure near the styloid area just sets off my nerve issues and pain. 
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Hey just heading out - I would love to chat! And thankyou so much for contacting me. 
@Gina1961 - I’ve deleted the personal information you put in your post. Since our forum is visible to the public, we ask that our members not include personal information in public posts. You may send @BraveKat the information I deleted by clicking on her avatar or screen name as they appear above her post. That will take you to a page where you can write her a private message & share the information.
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@BraveKat - I’m so very sorry that your symptoms & vascular compression are still present after all this time. I will pray for Prof. Elliott to be willing to help you. So hard for you to have gone through the surgery & recovery only to find that perhaps it wasn’t done as completely as necessary. 
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Your remaining bit of styloid is pretty chunky, for sure! It could be that there’s some compression by the C1 process, it’s a shame that the image is cut off just below it so can’t see how compressed the IJV is…If that is the occipital vein you’ve pointed to, it is really enlarged, collateral veins if there’s IJV compression can be very painful, yours looks like it would be very much so with any pressure on it! I hope that you’re able to get some more answers & treatment before too long
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