I am scheduled for styloid resection this Tuesday Aug 5th for the right side and Aug 12th for the left side with Dr. Osborne. I had consults with Osborne and Hepworth, and although Hepworth maintains that styloid resection alone is not enough and recommends decompression, I have decided to go with Dr. Osborne’s more conservative/ minimalist approach; the main reasons being that his opinion is that the veins should be left alone to decompress themselves, he does not believe in C1 shave if there is CCI, he is local to me and Dr. Hepworth is scheduling out to February. Since I experience vascular Eagles and have had chronic head pain/burning and atypical face burning since being vaxxed 4 years ago, I feel like I cannot wait any longer to resolve this.
My biggest fear is that it won’t work and/or somehow makes me worse.
I do have a large pineal cyst with minor flattening of the rostral portion of the aqueduct, so I’m not sure if that is also a contributing factor to the pain, but in order to be 100% sure the pain is due to IJV compression, I would need to do extensive testing catheter-based testing and balloon occlusion to test symptom provocation that could delay surgery by 6 months
I could really use some encouragement/support/prayers. I’m really scared and have been crying every day about this.
I’ll pray for your surgeries to go smoothly, and for the styloidectomy alone to be enough to resolve your symptoms. It was for me, I’ve been very blessed…
I don’t know anything about the pineal cyst & what symptoms that could cause, but please don’t panic if when you’ve had your surgery things don’t resolve immediately, there will be swelling which can make you feel rough. It is a strange surgery in that many people find they have ups & downs with recovery, set backs at times, and nerves particularly can take even up to a year to heal. So your face pain may well not improve for a while.
If you’ve not seen it, there’s info about surgery, ideas for what to get ready and what to expect in the Newbies Guide:
You’re seeing a skilled surgeon, doing that does help and lessens any chance that you’ll be worse after surgery (apart from the first couple of weeks obviously) . Sending you hugs and prayers, and please let us know how you are when you’re up to it
Thoughts & prayers are with you for a successful surgery and recovery. Dr. Osborne is one of the best - you are in excellent hands. I had a consult with him but am in the midwest and needed to go where our Insurance was accepted at Cleveland Clinic. I am 7 weeks post op Right Styloidectomy and doing well. I felt the same feelings of nervousness that you have and totally understand. I had no symptoms at all after surgery. They are all completely gone. Of course everyone is different and healing is not linear- it’s a roller coaster. Swelling & flare ups can cause symptoms so be aware of that and don’t despair if you have bad days. You are on the path to hope & healing and wholeness. Thinking positive with you and praying for your best!
@Hopefulhermit - I’m so glad you’ve gotten your surgeries scheduled & I’ll join the list of our members who will be praying for you ahead of & on your surgery days. As has been said, you’ll be in the wonderful healing hands of Dr. Osborne. May your surgery & recovery bring back the health & well being that has been lost due to ES. Hopefully the pineal cyst is inconsequential as far as causing symptoms goes.
