I’m so sorry for the journey you’re going through, beyond sickening that so much has been missed and dismissed for you…I agree with @Isaiah_40_31 that getting the fusion could alter slightly the angle of the styloids, if the surgery is posterior the I presume the C1 processes would be in the way of the styloids, but it’s worth having that chat with Mr Shenouda about it if you can. The EDS suggestion makes sense… Please let us know when your surgery is, as @Isaiah_40_31 says we’ll pray for you
Hi @Jules and @Isaiah_40_31
Yes I wondered that and i write to mr Shenouda asking about that as I wonder if the styloid would be visible doing a posterior approach? Here’s an old screenshot- is the right one in the way? Also when he removes the bone spur which is at the back of the facet joint, maybe that will actually help? My tinnitus is on the left, the ear pain and swallowing on the left but the other stuff probably from the right side?
My massive left IJV is obviously the dominant one, maybe left is compressed?
Thank you all xx
@Mcwelly - both IJVs look like they could be compressed, the right one looks like it’s lower down toward your collar bone & possibly the left one both at the styloid/C1 at least by the transverse process of C1, & closer to your collar bone. Has anyone suggested TOS to you (I’m sorry for asking. If this was mentioned previously, I don’t remember it)?
Hi @Isaiaih_40_31 - no that’s never been suggested because I don’t think anyone has even looked at the ct in 3D and only through what I’ve learnt on here, was I able to see what I’ve seen. Tell me more? Xx
@Mcwelly - I may be “barking up the wrong tree” but sometimes an IJV that is enlarged down closer to the collar bones can be an indication of compression below that point which is a symptom of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. TOS causes pain, numbness, tingling, and/or weakness in the arm, hand, and fingers, particularly on the ulnar (pinky) side. Other symptoms can include swelling, changes in skin color (paleness or bluishness), coldness, and pain or weakness in the neck and shoulder. (AI symptoms list)
If you don’t experience any of those symptoms, please disregard my alert since I’m not a doctor & my non-medical observations aren’t always correct.
Thank you ! I have had tingling and numbness for some years, starting in right pinkie and ring finger, now both sides with those fingers, worse when say laying on my back with my arms in certain positions. Numbness and cold but no colour changes. Always assumed was coming from c5/6? I get these massive sweats of the head and face, worse at night, my face will go bright red like I have a fever, I don’t. Bouts of random nausea and terrible fatigue. Many things overlap with other conditions I know end blood tests rarely show anything
I can mention this to rheumatologist when I see him but meanwhile will email some questions to the neurosurgeon re styloids position, compression etc
I don’t think the styloid would be in the way for a posterior fusion op, I doubt that they make a very big incision so don’t know if it would be visible as the C1 process is in the way…I think it would be difficult to remove safely from that approach as the surgeon wouldn’t be able to see what he was doing & it could catch nerves or blood vessels, but definitely ask…
Pins & needles etc are a symptom of TOS but could also be from your neck as you’ve always presumed, I guess only testing would show. There are different symptoms of TOS depending on whether blood vessels are being compressed or nerves, or both. You’d only get the colour changes if blood vessels were compressed…
Hugs to you, so much going on
Nausea & fatigue could be vagus nerve compression by the styloids…
You can also use a Cervical Traction Collar Neck Brace. You can do most anything with it on besides eat. I have a DDS one from a long time ago off eBay and it is solid construction and my symptoms get better when I wear it. It does get sorta uncomfortable, so I take 20 minute breaks every two hours, but it does increase the space in between your cervical vertebrae when you pump it up. The pump detaches and pressure remains steady so you don’t have to carry it around with you. You can also get those pump up cervical traction devices like Posture Pump that some chiropractors use at their offices. Beware of those pillow cervical devices on Amazon, as those do not last. Also, the pillows would push on your neck, which is bad for you. For those with bad symptoms, these devices would probably be worth the money given you are older and spine is starting to show narrowing.
Thank you for the information, @jobby99. I didn’t know there are inflatable neck collars, but it makes sense as it would be a way to somewhat control the level of tension the collar puts on your neck vs. the harder collars or the ones that are soft/foam.