I’m so glad that things are improving 
Good that you’re seeing some improvements… were your styloid processes an okay length?
Yes, 2.5cm-ish. The fact that the hyoid bone was the main culprit also accounts for my more uncommon symptoms I reckon: difficulties breathing, chest tightness, stiff sternocleidomastoid, an NO ear pain which seems to be a major concern for most Eagle patients.
Here‘s a picture from Dr. Ernest‘s case study on Hyoid Bone Syndrome, illustrating the pain radiation. This virtually covers all the symptoms I had (or, well, am recovering from):
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So interesting. Thank you, Michael. You’ve provided so much great information over the time you’ve been on this forum. Really appreciate your thorough research & sharing of the answers you’ve found for yourself!
Update ten days after surgery:
I don‘t feel good at all. Two-three weeks before the second surgery, chest pain had been getting a lot worse on the left side (radiating into stomach, shoulder and upper back) and I was hoping this would improve after surgery.
It didn‘t though, the chest pain still is quite throbbing and I can barely move my left arm without triggering pain. Got an appointment with my GP on Tuesday to remove the stitches, I‘ll ask her whether this is all muscular or whatever.
Might be caused by stress or panic, I‘m generally worn down at the moment - what with the heat, lack of sport and forced to rest again and again.
It‘s just nowhere near that great feeling of relief I felt after the first surgery, which is quite disappointing.
So sorry you aren’t bouncing back, Michael. I can imagine this is quite discouraging for you. Your surgeries were fairly close together so it’s possible your body is doing double time trying to finish healing from your first surgery while contending with your new “injuries”. My doctor required 6 months between my first & second surgeries to make sure I was fully healed from the first one. He has revised that now & will do a second surgery after 3 months, but it’s still a longer time than you experienced. It took me a good 2 months to feel really normal after my first surgery & about that after my second.
I will pray for you in earnest that you’re able to rest & care for your body both physically & emotionally so your healing progresses in a manner you can feel. Thankfully, our bodies do heal. Some things just take longer & require more patience on the patient’s part than others.
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You’re younger than Isaiah & I, so generally would expect to bounce back quicker, but it is major surgery, & as she says 2 quite close together is a biggy. I’m sure that as it’s so painful, you’re probably getting tense with that, then holding yourself perhaps awkwardly, which then makes it more painful… it can be a vicious circle which is hard to get out of… hopefully your doctor might be able to suggest something to help. It’s probably too early as yet, but a physiotherapist might be able to suggest some exercises to help for example. And stress doesn’t help the body to heal, but easier said than done t remove!
I have read quite a few post-op updates from members in the past who feel so grim in the first few weeks that they wish they’d not had the surgery, but then update after a couple of months to say they feel so much better, they’re really pleased they did it. So hang in there; I’ll keep you on my prayer list too!
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Update three weeks after the operation:
It hasn‘t been the solution for me unfortunately, my muscles are quite stiff and keep twitching. It‘s been worth the attempt though, I don‘t feel worse than before the first surgery either.
Worst symptoms are neck + chest pain and weird sensation in my throat.
I‘ll finish this semester (ends mid-July) and then I might try something else.
Won‘t visit this forum regularly anymore - thanks for your help and kind words!
Cheers,
Michael
It is still early days, Michael, so there’s still plenty of time for improvements. Nerves can be very irritated by surgery so can cause pain & weird sensations. I hope that you can concentrate on your studies & that things do get better for you…
Hi, just wanted to update. I‘m back to square one. All the improvements I felt were down to me taking it easy after surgery and a general euphoria, but now with work and uni starting again I feel exactly like before both surgeries. Worth the attempt, though. Thanks for your help!
Hi Michael,
Words of encouragement - as Jules said, you’re still very early in your healing. Nerves take a long time to heal. Getting some physical therapy to help relax your neck muscles would be an option, but don’t “throw in the towel yet” as far as determining that surgery didn’t work for you. I lost the use of half my tongue after my first surgery. It took 9 months for it to recover. Even 4 years post op, I’m continuing to see little bits of progress in nerve recovery in areas that were numb post op. If you’re still having the same pains & symptoms a year from now, then I’d say you’re right, these surgeries weren’t the answer for your symptoms. Be patient. Continue to listen to your body & take it easy for the next 2-3 months i.e. don’t jump into a rugby match (extreme example) or a killer soccer/football game (really can’t remember which sports you said you enjoy 
) for awhile yet. Too much physical activity too soon will set your healing back.
Also, stress creates inflammation & inflammation slows healing. With work & school come stress. Try to make time for yourself to totally relax each day even if it’s only 5 minutes to just sit & take a few deep breaths. Oxygenating your body by deeply breathing does help to “shoo away” the stress hormones & give you some relaxation.
I’ll keep praying that you’ll see positive changes that you currently don’t expect as more time passes.
Hmmmm, me thinks there could be something to this hyoid bone being yet another of my issues. Good grief, no wonder I have so many symptoms. I’m pretty sure my ligament is getting “caught/stuck” on that hyoid bone at times and really freaks me out. Since it has only happened once since being diagnosed, I can only report that the only thing noted when it happens is being unable to swallow. In all the previous episodes, I am so panicked I haven’t calmly taken note of anything else happening in the moment. That illustration is spot on for me and a lot of my symptoms. Oddly enough, up until last week I had not experienced anything tongue related. I got several strange low grade pain/elec shock sensations on the back of my tongue on the left side. Went away as quickly as they came and nothing since. Something of note…about 20 minutes after the tongue thing, I got one of those “stop me in my tracks” piercing pains in my left temple. Also sent away as suddenly as it came.