Congratulations, SewMomma! I am sorry if I missed this, but what type of surgery did you have? I am seeing my surgeon Monday. I am not sure what type of surgery he is going to recommend.
Hi! External. One side at a time. Incision for me started at hyoid (middle of throat) and went up 2 inches or so. My styloids were unremarkable. It was the ligaments that had to be removed. 
@BrooklynGirl do you know what caused your breathing issue? Mine is really severe and constant. Chest pressure. Like my body isnt getting enough air. I cant even sleep because i have to keep telling my body to breath. Im scared. My health has been declining badly. I think this is going to kill me.
Hi Cupcake5.
I can relate 100% to what you are going through and its very scary.
The issue for me comes and goes but it is back with a vengeance. For me I believe that my vagus nerve (and parasympathetic/sympathetic nerves gets overactive/under-active and causes breathing, stomach issues and maybe heart issues. (I have pre-ventricular contractions all of the time but many doctors say that it common and not a worry.) I recently had horrible upper stomach issues that lasted for two months then just went away, but its now replaced with breathing issues.
The feeling for me is that I cant seem to fully exhale before my body wants to inhale again. It’s almost impossible to take slow, measured breathes. It happened after my first surgery for external removal on the left side. Last night and several nights ago it happened all night - thankfully its not every night. I don’t really snore that much so its possible that I have CENTRAL sleep apnea, where the breathing issues are signaled from the brain and not from an obstruction. I did a sleep study last February but I never got the results because the pulmonologist I was working with was deep into taking care of Covid patients and now I cant reach him.
To relax the vagus nerve, deep. meditative breathing is a calming technique but its hard to do when you cant fully exhale. Cold also helps, such as a cold shower or ice. I have a gel ice pack that I pull out of the freezer and place on my neck and chest and for me, it usually helps, but that would be true only after many days.
I wish I had more to help you. Understanding that its a real issue and be kind to yourself.
Teresa
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So sorry that you’re still having issues; I’d hoped it would be all gone by now for you 
You thought Covid had caused some nerve issues too, if I remember right? Has that worsened things? Thinking of you 
Awsome work with the time-line.
Best of luck to you. It can get better. I call 2020 my “Year of the Eagle”
You can do this!
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Hi Jules,
My covid symptoms started March 25th with no other symptoms besides a fever, chills and aches that lasted for 2 days. I was better for a bit then a relapse where I had overall body neurological weakness and brain fog that lasted for a week + 3 weeks recovery. Then I was better a few weeks then a relapse. This happened 3 times with the last full blown relapse in August. Thankfully, I have not had the same pattern repeat. I think whats happening now is vagus nerve related. If its not one thing or another but the best we can do is put one foot in front of the other and keep moving.
Thanks for checking in.
Stay safe,
Teresa
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Hello wonderful Eagle syndrome family members!
I was doing great in January of 2020 and failed to post anything and then we all know what happened right after that.
I have been thinking of all of you. I say to my husband all the time - I do not want to take it for granted that my ES surgeries were 2019 and NOT 2020. How extra difficult that must be for all of you in the symptom/surgery stage now. My heart goes out to you.
It’s now two years after my first surgery - can’t believe that. I am totally symptom-free, praise God. For a while, little clicks lingered. All gone. I can barely see my scars. I am very very lucky. I know that and I do try to remember that.
Meanwhile I’ve been seriously quarantining for 10 months in order to protect our little girl with Down syndrome and lung/heart issues. I rarely leave the house and have been sewing alot. In some ways it has been a gift to “breathe” the year after the two surgeries. I feel like my body is still letting go of that stress. I decided to wean off the anti-depressant I went on for the surgeries. Maybe stopping it during a global pandemic wasn’t so smart. I just went back on it to ride out the rest of this mess.
I’ve missed you all and I think about all the people who supported me. You were my rock in the dark days!
Blessings and Peace to all of you!
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So pleased that you’re symptom free now, those clicks hung about a bit! We’ve missed you, but realise last year would have been tough for you! Lovely of you to pop back & let us know how you are 
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So great to hear from you SewMomma & glad this year of quarantining has allowed you to get back to your sewing hobby! I’m sure your kiddos are all benefitting from that. The even better news is how well you’re doing. Praise God & 
!!
I can totally relate to your anit-depression meds story as I’ve wanted to wean off mine for several years but have been afraid to try. Perhaps when life is a little more normal… 
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