Nasty spike, naturelover! As Shrek would say, “Better out than in!!” Also good to hear that the wedge & V pillows are helping you w/ recovery. I found the wedge pillow to be a godsend for sure!
As far as your stretched facial nerve goes, it will most likely recovery completely or nearly so, but it may take up to a year. Numbness can remain permanently, but usually it’s at a lower grade level than you’re experiencing right now. I am still slightly numb along my left jaw line from my surgery 6 years ago and am continuing to have less symptoms of First Bite Syndrome even this far after surgery. As your inflammation decreases, there will be less pressure on your nerves & that will also help w/ their recovery. You can try stimulating them w/ gentle finger tip massage over the numb area. Gently rubbing a soft washcloth over the numb area for a few minutes several times a day will also help. The key is GENTLY for both approaches as it has been found gently massage/stimulation often helps as much or more than deep tissue type work.
So pleased that you can swallow your pills & that the pillows are helping…I had numbness both sides after surgery, one side is almost normal now, the other still a bit numb, but it’s better than being in pain! I think the gentle massage as Isaiah says will help when the scar’s healed enough (I still do both sides every so often as the skin seems to tighten up), & I took a B Vitamin supplement which is supposed to be good for nerves, as long as that’s okay with any medication you’re taking.
Take care, gentle hugs!
Today, I am 5 days out from surgery. I have been relatively without pain. I have only been taking Tylenol & Ibuprofen. No narcotics or any thing else. I heard that they used primarily local anesthesia. I think that has really helped with after effects from medication. I have iced the area almost continuously from surgery until yesterday morning. Now I am just doing it occasionally & taking over the counter pain meds as needed. I have quite a bit of bruising. Also, I am numb on the majority of my ear, lower jaw, & around the incision site. It seems the crackling noise that I had when chewing is going. Yay! I am still on a soft diet but I might try something to chew tomorrow since the crackling seems to be gone. We’ll see.
I am forever grateful for this site! It let me know what to expect after the surgery & how to prepare. My doctor was pretty nonchalant about recovery when I had met with him. He said that I would have no recovery time. Thankfully, my surgery was cancelled twice due to COVID. In that time, I was able to read up on recovery on here & find out that I needed to take off more than 3 days of work. (That was originally what I was taking off based on my doctor’s recovery prediction.) Now, I have taken two weeks off with the option of seeing how it is going before I go back. I work in retail so I talk all day & have a public appearance. Yesterday, I ordered some turtleneck sweaters to cover my incision area. It is quite shocking looking right now. I went for a walk yesterday with a scarf & hat. I do live in Minnesota so I didn’t look weird. : ) I am attaching a photo that my husband took for me this morning. You can see all of the bruising that I have. I have one incision on the top & then you can see what looks like a deep bruise, that perhaps they folded over my skin to do the surgery? Just my thought.
Your incision looks GREAT!! Your neck bruising just makes you look colorful. (You could always say, “You should have seen the other guy!” if anyone sees your bruise/scar & comments! ). Turtlenecks are a good idea, & if loose enough, shouldn’t bother your incision.
I ended up w/ half a double chin for several weeks after my first surgery as the fluid from the swelling drained down under my chin. I looked pretty silly. Had some good bruising, too, but not as pretty as yours! The numbness is pretty typical after ES surgery & you will notice some nerve pain/prickles as your nerves begin to wake up & sensation returns. This can take a number of months so don’t be upset if things don’t happen quickly.
I am so glad your COVID surgical postponements allowed you to go into surgery better informed. It makes a world of difference to have realistic expectations for something like this. Doctors can be clueless when it comes to surgical recovery. They inflict the pain but have never had to recover from it themselves. I am thankful that a few of the doctors on our list are realistic & do let their patients know recovery won’t be quick.
Keep healing & smiling. You’re doing impressively well so soon after surgery!
Thanks for the update; that is impressive bruising! But your incision looks like it’s healing really well
I’m pleased that you were able to prepare for your surgery- it’s often underestimated by doctors unfortunately!
Hopefully you’ll be able to chew better & eat more normally soon too; I think with my first surgery it was about 10 days.
Make sure you don’t overdo things & keep healing well
Thanks everyone! I started to have some pain in my neck & ear yesterday, so I decided to go back on a regular routine of Tylenol & ibuprofen. Otherwise, I’m still doing ok. I have to go back to work next week & I am nervous that I can hold up.
naturelover,
If you get back to work & feel overwhelmed, please talk to your boss about easing back in part time. If there’s anything you can do from home, then maybe some part time work from home would be a possibility for a couple of weeks.
Sorry, I haven’t been on here for awhile. The appointment with Dr Garvey was a DISappointment. He seems genuinely surprised to be getting Eagle’s patients coming to him. He also feels that their issues are very narrow in scope, suggesting I have… dum-dum-dummmm… migraines, as well as a few other issues, to explain away my problems. As if having migraines is “normal”. eye roll
I know I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I was. He stated that my styloids were 3.5 - 4.0 in length, based on what he could see from my CT that my GP had ordered due to sinus issues (which found my Eagles, and incidentally, explained my sinus issues weren’t sinus issues - cuz my sinuses were clear, despite pain).
Having problems that relate to Eagles is a PITA, as Im sure you know. I will probably post “my story” on here soon. I’m just dealing with stomach issues now that are quite painful. This past year I feel like I’ve been on a treadmill of doctor visits and tests… and to think, I managed 5 weeks of covid and its lousy fevers without one doctor or hospital visit. Guess I can’t always be that lucky.
I hope your recovery has progressed to the point where your ear has regained some feeling again - I know feeling numb can be uncomfortable at times. And look! Spring is finally here in MN
I’m so sorry you had a bad experience w/ Dr. Garvey (Dr. Garvis on our list? We may have his name wrong). We do want doctors who are consistent in their wilingness to help w/ ES so will remove him. Please try getting a second opinion appt w/ either Dr. Omilie or Dr. Ondrey if you can. Another option is to find an ENT cancer specialist closer to you as these doctors are familiar with & operate in the area where the styloids are & can do a styloidectomy even without a lot of experience. That said, it’s always safer to see a doctor who has experience w/ a particular type of surgery.
Your digestive issue could be from ES as the vagus nerve is often irritated by elongated styloids. It affects digestion among myriad other bodily functions. Look up “Two Minute Neuroscience Vagus Nerve” on YouTube. It may answer some questions for you.
Your styloids are plenty long enough to warrant removal especially since you’re significantly symptomatic. I hope you’re able to find someone to help you soon.
So glad it’s spring & the snow is melting. Warmer temps help everything!!
Thanks! Great video! I’ve been doing some reading these past few weeks, since this has been going on for 3mo. And yeah… that is what I’m afraid of… that vagus nerve is a concern.
And no worries about the Dr Garvey appt - he’s a great ENT, but a reluctant Eagles doctor.
As for the stomach, I’ve had 2 tests and they are doing another double test in the next week or so, if this last test today doesn’t give us any answers. The incredible pain I had Thurs night in my back, tho, after eating a birthday meal that was higher in oil content than I usually eat, tells me it might actually be more a true gastric issue, tho (which, yes, based on my reading the past few weeks, I agree could also stem from that vagus/Eagle situation, too).
Sadly, based on some conversations with this GI clinic (my GP referred), if they can’t find the issue, they seem hell-bent on putting me on meds that aren’t great. I will refuse them. I’d rather they suggest dietary changes, than meds. But, as with Eagles, this is a process and I’m in it until the end. Once I’m done with tests, I’ll probably post “my story” on here. Its just hard to do that until I know the full scope of where I’m at
Gastric issues after a “heavy meal” can be gall bladder or a sign of gluten or dairy intolerance/sensitivity depending on what you ate. My gall bladder is my “fat meter”. If I eat an especially fatty meal i.e. steak, potatoes w/ butter/sour cream/bacon bits, salad w/ creamy dressing or a Mexican meal w/ lots of cheese, my gall bladder will hurt for a few days afterward. Fortunately, mine hasn’t needed to be removed because I learned I have to be cautious where heavier meals are concerned. I’m assuming your gall bladder has been considered in this scenario. It can be checked by ultrasound to look for gall stones or “sludge” that can block it up.
As far as glute/dairyn sensitivity goes, those can crop up at any age so just because you’ve been able to eat them up to this point doesn’t mean your body hasn’t become reactive for some reason. Seeing a nutritionist who is versed in food sensitivities might also be helpful. Just my non-professional 2¢.
Crud, my bad… I typed Dr Garvey and meant to type in Dr Garvis… He said he’d “inherited” Eagles patients from Dr Christensen, who retired. He has a extremely narrow scope for accepting Eagles.
This is for MN
So FYI @Jules and @Isaiah_40_31
Dairy isn’t it. Had issues awhile ago and dealt with that (only sinus issues if I drink milk or eat soft serve ice cream - go figure). Elimination diets suck, but are helpful if you can make yourself do them. Easier with no littles in house that want “all the treats” - LOL.
Its fats. I typically don’t eat bad fats, but sometimes cravings do pop up. For now, I’m doing all the gall bladder tests and more. I’d rather not. On the upside, while I have a high deductible, I’m extremely lucky to have great medical insurance that gives me latitude to get the tests I’ve needed.
And I love when I’m given a reasoned out, non-professional 2¢ My friends and I do the same for each other. It takes a village…
Totally understand the food challenges w/ little ones at home. Glad you weren’t offended by my “helpful suggestions” It’s also good to hear you’re leaving no stone unturned as far as checking out possible causes. I hope you don’t have to end up on nasty meds even for the short term. Please let us know what you find out. It’s enough dealing w/ ES w/o another mysterious ailment tagging along…especially when you have a family to care for!!
Lol - I meant it’s easier because I have no littles in the house. I’m in my 50s
I’m doing more care for the “olds” in my life - my parents & my my MIL have dementia, so… theres my stress these days
Sorry I misunderstood! I’ve been where you are. I totally understand. SO HARD! I was 58 when I was diagnosed w/ ES & fortunately my children were adults & self-sufficient.
Also good to hear that the wedge & V pillows are helping you w/ recovery. I found the wedge pillow to be a godsend for sure!
). Turtlenecks are a good idea, & if loose enough, shouldn’t bother your incision.
