Hello everyone and I hope you’re doing well.
My symptoms have only gotten worse and I’m starting to have trouble breathing and also if I talk for to long the left side of my tongue feels like it “falls” if that makes since and i feel like im nibbling on it lol. I feel crazy, I’m in constant pain. I feel like I’m gaining gills and that my throat is expanding, maybe that could be cool, who knows?
I’ve had a horrible headache all day and I keep asking my boyfriend not to scream at me (he isn’t screaming… lol). It’s our 4 year anniversary and I just feel so bad I’m putting him through all this on top of just my entire life issues, ugh.
My ears have been killing me, I’ve got a deviated septum which already makes breathing hard and thus my swollen throat isn’t helping.
For the past 2 days I have either sat on my wrist wrong, or tripped easily and really thought I sprained my wrist for like 30 minutes it hurt so bad. Then it just went away.
I just feel like I’m a bowling ball of problems heading straight for the center of the pins and I’m about to get knocked out.
Trigger warning: Overdose / Suicide Attempt
When I was in high school, I attempted suicide and overdosed on over-the-counter medicine. Not that the reason matters, but my family was constantly homeless and I was severely neglected. But don’t worry I am doing wonderful today (26) and I am not wanting that at all anymore, even with all this pain from Eagle Syndrome!
Anyway, my aunt died of liver cancer because she took too many over-the-counter medicines, and I have not only a fatty liver but also a liver lesion that they haven’t identified yet (But has been growing) and so I’m nervous to take pain medicine because of well, all of this. Even when I got my wisdom teeth taken out recently I wouldn’t take the pain pills, mostly because they made me sick to my stomach.
So I’m really worried about when I come out of surgery or even just leading up to surgery because I am in so much pain right now and I’m not sure what to do to ease the pain.
Sorry for my super random ramblings, its been a rough week. Not sure what I’m wanting from this post, maybe just a way to rant.
I’m sorry that you’re in so much pain, & getting worsening symptoms, plus other stuff on top of the ES! You certainly have more your share…it might be worth considering a lidocaine/ steroid injection into the area in the meantime, it can sometimes help. Otherwise try lidocaine patches on your neck or topical cream some members have found helpful. I can understand the justifiable worries you have with your liver, lots of the otc meds don’t help with ES pain anyway, but nerve pain medications sometimes do help, so might be worth a try for short term… After surgery is something you’d need to discuss with your doctor, but depending on the surgery you may not need too much. Cross that bridge when you get to it, it would only be temporary though if you did need them, for a week or two.
Feel free to rant because we do understand here, happy to listen. Sending you a big hug and hoping that the pain eases soon.
I’m also so sorry you’re pain & symptoms are so bad you’ve felt suicidal. You’re definitely not the first on our forum to have “gone there”. So glad things are little better today.
Re: post op pain management, several of our members who’ve seen Dr. Hackman for surgery, have mentioned that he placed a “neck bra” around their necks to help reduce post op swelling. This was instead of a drain tube or steroids. These people left their neck bras in place a bit longer than he suggested & were glad they did. Swelling prevention goes far toward pain reduction. It is possible if he uses a neck bra after your surgery, you may not need pain meds for long or may not need as much as someone who is dealing w/ lots of post op swelling. Additionally, icing the incision(s) every few hours post op is also very helpful as it numbs the area & reduces pain that way. Head elevation when resting or sleeping is also really helpful. You could try those things even now. Jules offered great suggestions as well. Sometimes you just have to experiment to see what works best for you.
We’re almost to August so your appt. is coming up. Glad you let us know your struggles. We are always here for you!
Jules and Isaiah have given good surgery advice so I’m going to offer another suggestion. Most pain pills are Tylenol/paracetamol based at least in the US. If that’s what you’re having issues with now, I’d make sure your doctors are aware so they can prescribe a different medication (mom has these issues and has to verify before filling that she can take the pain pill that’s been prescribed). Also post surgery - lots of ice and stay propped up.
I am so sorry it took me so long to respond. I’ve been in a lot of pain, trying to finish the last week of my internship and my final week of my summer class. It’s been hell.
Thank you so much for replying and being so kind.
I am wondering if there is a neck brace I can get to help me. I am in so much pain I almost went to the ER.
I cant turn my head to the right without feeling a super tight pull when i bring my head back to the front. It’s so so painful. Do you have any suggestions?
Part of the pain you’re experiencing is stress related. Stress causes increased cortisol production & cortisol causes inflammation. I strongly believe that once the pressure of your classes & internship are gone, & you have some time to relax, you’ll find your pain naturally begins to subside. In the meantime, you can try icing your neck, gently massaging the muscles on the right side of your neck, &/or seeing if you can get an ENT appointment w/ someone who knows how to administer a lidocaine/cortisone injection into the area of your neck where the styloid is (this is usually done w/ ultrasound guidance & either through the neck or the throat).
I am so sorry you’re going through this! I’ve been there, questioning if I should go to the ER. I agree stress does not help. Ice is your friend!! On and off every 15 minutes. Try to lay at an angle so you are semi upright. Bio freeze gel on my neck helped me some. My dr also had me try dandelion tea to see if it helped my head pressure; but not sure if you are also having vascular issues from compesssed veins.
You could definitely try a neck brace and see if it helps; for me it seemed to make things worse. If you search inflatable neck brace on Amazon some good ones came up & that is where my dr recommended I buy one when we tried it.
Tylenol is harder on your liver than ibuprofen; ibuprofen can be hard on stomach and kidneys. Definitely take some ibuprofen if you are questioning the ER, but eat some food and drink water with it. You can take up to 800 mg but must wait 6 hours then until you take more. Hang in there! You’re not alone.
Hi Isaiah! I have scheduled surgery for October 13 with Dr Hepworth. I’m doing much better on the medications I’m on but still not 100 percent — and I just kind of want it done so I don’t have this issue looming over me. Fingers crossed it helps! It’s starting to get real the closer it gets!
Maybe muscle relaxant meds like Baclofen might help? Or some members have been able to get topical lidocaine. I saw a physio & had some very gentle neck stretches which helped- laying down with your head on a thing pillow, try very gentle chin tucks, 5 times, & then turn your head very gently to each side, 10x each side. It really helped me but I did have alot of pain in the muscles around the back of the neck, so not sure if it’ll help you…
HOORAY for finishing your internship. Having a relaxing day will be sooo good for you!
I love to hike & do yard work, but trust me when I tell you, the gophers, rabbits & deer do more work in my yard than I can keep up with thus my yard looks like no one cares . True confessions - on the opposite end of the spectrum, I also tend to binge watch Netflix or Amazon Prime TV programs at night. Just can’t stop when there’s a cliff hanger at the end of each episode!! I like sci fi (not horror), & chick flicks. How’s that for a mix?!? Last, but most important, participating in my church’s women’s Bible study program each year is definitely something I enjoy.
just wanted to add in here that I was having extreme pain that was making me miss work and I cried constantly because the pain made me so depressed, I had a Dr prescribe me a high dose short burst prednisone and started sleeping on the wedge like has been recommended in this thread and it took my pain from a frequent 9 daily to about a 3-4 daily. significant improvement in my standard of living. I have been working with Dr Hackman. he did not prescribe me any meds after our visit and each step with him has taken me about 7 weeks. so my point is these suggestions are actively truly helping me, so it’s worth reaching out to the other ent or Dr to try a steroid while you’re waiting to get in with Dr Hackman.
Thank you so much for sharing this information w/ us tp12! It’s great to know that you’ve found something that has helped you so much & hopefully it will help some other forum members. I’m sorry getting scheduled w/ Dr. Hackman has been a bit of a trial but hopefully you’ll be on his surgical schedule soon, & the need for pain management will become a thing of the past.
and hoping that the pain eases soon.
. True confessions - on the opposite end of the spectrum, I also tend to binge watch Netflix or Amazon Prime TV programs at night. Just can’t stop when there’s a cliff hanger at the end of each episode!! 
I like sci fi (not horror), & chick flicks. How’s that for a mix?!? 
Last, but most important, participating in my church’s women’s Bible study program each year is definitely something I enjoy.