Was a good appointment! Confirmed that both styloids are compressing my jugular veins. Only two things I am a little frustrated about. Allison Love who was the NP told me that they usually only do one styloid and practically never do two, but if they are both a problem I don’t understand how that made sense. Second I have my surgery scheduled but it’s 6 months out from now, so I guess I have to struggle through 6 more months of pain.
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I’m glad your appt went mostly well! Sorry you have a wait. Did she prescribe or suggest anything for pain? They were helpful to me about that. I was on tramadol, Aleve, flexeril and plavix which helped me the most.
I’m guessing she meant do one styloid at a time? Not as many surgeons do both at once due to the risk of your throat swelling shut, but I’ve read here that Dr Hackman in NC will do both.
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She prescribed me plavix, which is a blood thinner. I think maybe I should call on Monday and ask if they can prescribe something for pain too
I felt 100 percent better within hours of taking my first plavix. I still had some bad days but that pain was easily managed by Tylenol and ibuprofen because I didn’t take it everyday anymore; also the flexeril: I Didn’t need pain meds after I started on plavix so. Fingers crossed it helps you too.
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I hope so! Also, I am super thrilled for you that you’ve been starting to feel so much better with the surgery, always nice when someone’s suffering becomes less and less.
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I second what blossom said about only doing one styloid at a time. There are several of our more experienced ES surgeons who won’t do both sides at the same time for the reason she stated. Dr. Hackman is the exception.
Also, when you call the office to discuss prescription meds, ask to be put on a cancellation list. You may be able to get your surgery scooted to an earlier date that way.
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From what I gathered I believe she meant that they never remove both in general, and not just they don’t at the same time… But maybe I misunderstood.
@hyperichard thank you so much! Im feeling really good. Hopefully won’t need the plavix anymore. I was putting off surgery I felt so good on it, but I understand it doesn’t fix the underlying issue and is basically a band aid.
I think there is at least one member here who has had both sides removed with Dr H.
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Glad that they’ve agreed to help, even if it is a long wait…another step forward. Hopefully you might get a cancellation.
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How did she confirm diagnosis, did you have new tests, etc?
Appointment with Dr Hackman November 16th. They have given me no instructions for this consultation. How should I prepare?
I have had both styloids removed by Dr. Hepworth. He waits 6 months between surgeries to see how you respond.
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eastmas1 -
blossom sees Dr. Hepworth in Denver, but the same basic prep is good for whomever you’re seeing. Go in armed with questions you have about his surgical approach & post op care. If you have particular health conditions or concerns about surgery ask him about those. You can share your main symptoms but don’t go in w/ a long list of symptoms as he cannot promise that surgery will help relieve them all. Those are a start.
Below are links the first is discussions about Dr. Hackman & the second is questions to ask before you have surgery. Happy reading!!
https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/search?q=Dr.%20Hackman
https://forum.livingwitheagle.org/search?q=questions%20to%20ask
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@eastmas1 Depending what tests you’ve had he might send you for a CT scan of some kind. Some questions I asked were: where is the incision, how big will it be, how much of the styloid will you take, what about the ligament, what is expected recovery time, what are common side effects/symptoms after surgery, how many people need the other side done, will I go home the same day? One thing I didn’t have to ask my doctor because I knew the answer, but you might ask what if any attention will be paid to the vascular component if there is one in your case? That was a big part of my surgery, not just removing the styloid. But not everyone has that problem so maybe ask about that.
Hey Blossom, hope you are continuing to rest and feel better! I wanted to ask you, when you started Plavix did it gradually get better or was it like you felt 100 percent better immediately and it didn’t go up from there? I just started it and I do feel a little better like i can think clearer, but I was wondering if maybe ill feel even better as more days pass on this medication? @blossom
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@hyperichard i got gradually better and had flare ups even while on it; but they were more manageable and less frequent. My headache went away that day though; could have been coincidental I guess. I went to the mountains once and stayed at really high altitude and had a setback after that and I went to the dentist and it flared up after that. I sometimes still needed ibuprofen and /or Tylenol. If you are in a lot of pain and it’s not helped at all after A week on it I think it’s ok to call the nurses line and ask for advice or help with the pain.
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@blossom I have gotten much worse since this blood thinner. I am unfortunately in the most pain I’ve ever been in since starting this medication. Any thoughts?
Sorry to hear that. If you think it’s making you feel worse then I would stop taking it and call the nurse’s line.
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hyperichard,
I’m really sorry to hear the blood thinner hasn’t helped. It sounded like maybe it did initially but now not so much. I hope Dr. H is able to provide you with other suggestions or a different Rx. Perhaps a different blood thinner would work better for you. There are variety of them in use now.
Please keep us updated about what you learn & how you’re feeling. 
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Do you think it’s possible the blood thinner is bad for me because I have EDS?
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