@loki - I am so very sorry for what you’ve gone through since your first styloidectomy. I had a similar experience w/ first bite syndrome except mine started 5 days after my first styloidectomy. It also didn’t last through my whole meal, but the pain was excruciating for 10-15 seconds once it started. It gradually decreased in intensity over the first year post op. I am now 12 years out from my first ES surgery & am happy to say that my first bite symptoms are nearly gone now. That’s intended to give you hope that yours may settle down over time, too. I was offered nerve pain meds to help them settle, but I declined them. Perhaps that could help you? I recall from a previous post of yours that you’ve tried a lot of things including steroids & nothing seems to be helping reduce your pain/swelling. Have you considered finding a myofascial massage therapist? Some of our members who’ve had slower healing & more inflammation &/or tissue development have found some good relief via myofascial massage.
Here are links to a couple of posts where @vcp02 talks about her integrative dentist experience. In the first one, @Snapple2020 who also has hEDS included an interesting chart, which might be helpful for you, about other compressions that are somewhat common for people who have hEDS:
If you aren’t familiar with the Zebras Underground site (zebras.substack.com), it’s worth checking out. Lots of information relative to EDS. Another site that could be helpful for you is bendybodiespodcast.com or Podcast — Hypermobility MD (may be the same site). The podcasts are by Dr. Linda Bluestein who has hEDS herself.