Hi everyone, I just had surgery yesterday (5/13) with Dr. Jian and Dr. Balough (they’re amazing!). The procedure was bilateral styloidectomy with jugular decompression.
I arrived at 6:30 AM, went into the OR around 7:45 AM, and was in recovery by 10:00 AM and discharged by 1:00 PM.
The tinnitus is still there for now, but I noticed some changes immediately after surgery. The fullness in my left ear is completely gone, and when I talk, my voice no longer echoes in my left ear. Another huge surprise — the sweaty, cold hands and feet I’ve struggled with for over 30 years disappeared immediately after surgery.
This is my understanding of what was done: they removed a large portion of both styloid processes and fenestrated the jugular vein sheath. I was told that once the calcified portions were shaved off, my jugular veins immediately started pulsing normally again in sync with my heartbeat.
I just want to say thank you so much to this community, especially to @isaiah_40_31, who helped analyze my scans and calm my nerves throughout this process. I truly appreciate all the support and shared experiences here. Dr Jian also referred me to this amazing site!
What an awesome report, @grizzly! It sounds like Dr. Jian was very thorough in doing what was necessary to allow your IJVs to open. Bilateral surgery is a bit more difficult healing i.e more pain in the beginning, but after a few weeks, you’ll be very thankful you don’t have to have another surgery.
Please let us know if you have any questions during your recovery & come back to update us about other improvements you notice. Those posts are very encouraging for our members who are awaiting surgery.
That’s great news, I’m so glad that you’ve had surgery and they checked your IJVs were decompressed! You might find that when swelling peaks in a couple of days that you get some symptoms back, so don’t panic, get lots of rest, keep icing & resting propped up…nice to know of another doctor who is aware of vascular ES! Praying all goes well with your healing
Thank you so much, @Isaiah_40_31 and @Jules ! The tinnitus is still there but I can feel the positive difference post surgery. I still feel a little bit weak and a little light headed, the surgery area and my ears are still numb but I’m surprised that I’m able to get back on my feet (with caution) 2 days after my surgery.
Thank you so much again to the wonderful members of this community. I’m beyond grateful.
@grizzly - I’m so glad the positives you feel are sticking with you! It is important to take several short walks each day to get your blood flowing as that will also help your healing progress. I hope the light headedness subsides soon. It can be from anesthesia for several days post op, &/or from the pain medication you’re taking if you’re using Rx pain meds. Another reminder is that if you’re taking Rx pain meds, you’ll also need a stool softener & laxative each day so your “plumbing” doesn’t get clogged. That’s an uncomfy situation when your neck is sore. Keep icing, too, as that will help a lot toward reducing inflammation & pain.
Thank you @Isaiah_40_31 ! I just made a senna tea to help with that.
I still can’t believe that my cold and sweaty hands and feet are gone, I hope I’m not dreaming. I remember you saying something about my vagus nerve? Could it be decompressed too? I hope and pray it doesn’t come back.
The vagus nerve lies next to the styloid process, so is commonly irritated by the styloids. If this is the cause of your cold hands then it could well be why you’ve seen this symptom improve. I pray you don’t get this back too
The vagus nerve also is right next to the IJV between the styloid & C1. When the IJV is decompressed, that usually also frees up the vagus nerve. I suspect that has been very helpful in relieving your hand symptoms, @grizzly. I’m so glad they’re gone! I hope other symptoms that you still notice will be short-lived now that your styloids are shorter & your IJVs are more open.
I hope that for you, too, @grizzly. Unfortunately, tinnitus is the one symptom that is sometimes not fixed by styloidectomies though it can be significantly reduced. I’ll pray for yours to go away as that is a possibility.
