Hi everyone,
I wanted to give an update. After meeting with two other surgeons, I’ve made the decision to go with Dr. Trevor Hackman in NC for my surgery (well, surgeries). I will be having an in-person consultation on June 17, my left side done on June 18, and then my right side done at some point within the week (I’ll know the exact date on the 17th). My birthday is a few days before that, so what a way to celebrate! I want to have both sides done during the same trip but I want to wake up and make sure I can swallow, etc. before having the other side done. I have some PTSD with my swallowing difficulties, thanks to Eagle syndrome. Dr. Hackman’s office has been very understanding and helpful in making this happen.
While I have Eagle bilaterally, the symptoms on my left side have rapidly worsened and I’m getting scary pharyngeal spasms, which I assume is from my irritated glossopharyngeal nerve. Those seem to be triggered by talking or eating. I’m also getting a lot of tightness and numbness around my left styloid, around my ear, and into my face. Yet despite the numbness, it’s still painful. This is in addition to the strangulation/bone in throat sensations, difficulty swallowing, voice issues, jaw pain, and tongue tightness that has been constant. Low-dose amitriptyline has been amazing for removing my throat burning and hypersensitivity, and methocarbamol has helped with muscle spasms. I think it’s interesting that the left side is shorter than the right but it’s angled oddly (Dr. Osborne noted that it is almost growing backwards like a hook—said he’s never seen one like mine). The angle of the left one makes me question if it’s partly related to playing the violin classically since I was five. I’ve spent many hours with my neck angled to the left (the whiplash injury didn’t help things). Both sides are elongated and the ligaments are ossified further down. I am so ready for surgery, although I’m starting to get nervous.
Curious if you have any specific wedge pillow recommendations! We’ll be taking our camper van to travel from Vermont to North Carolina, and will break up the trip and stay with family en route. The van has a microwave for my heating wraps and a freezer for ice packs. I’ll be staying at a hotel with a kitchenette after the first surgery, and then at UNC’s SECU housing after the second since I can’t plan for that one just yet without a firm date. I think both options will be more comfortable than the van the first couple days after surgery.
Thank you so much for all the support. I would never have gotten here without you! I’m starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel.