ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Facial Issues => Topic started by: 4cm in Pacific Northwest on March 17, 2009, 09:41:11 am
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I am taking an informal survey of those ANA folks who have facial synkenisis- ONLY.
1) Do you, or did you, use an electric toothbrush during your recovery time from Bell’s palsy? Yes or No?
2) If yes to question #1 -which of your facial muscles are affected by your synkenisis?
Here is a diagram for reference of the facial "muscles" and their proper terms
http://catalog.nucleusinc.com/imagescooked/9300W.jpg
3) If yes to question #1 which nerves do you think cross-wired in your synkenisis ?
Here is a diagram of the facial "nerves" and their proper terms.
http://www.med.yale.edu/caim/cnerves/cn7/cn7_graphics/fig7_1.gif
DHM
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No electrical toothbrush ever. My problem area is the eye and bet the facial neuroma is part of the problem.
Cheryl R
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Hello DMH,
1) Starting using an electrical toothbrush about one month after surgery (suffered facial paralysis). I found it difficult to move food around inside my mouth and if I did not rinse my mouth after I ate I would find food there later (gross). I found regular brushing not enough and worried about tooth decay. The electric toothbrush worked wonderful.
2) I have mild synkensis affecting my levator anguli oris muscle. When I close my eye the corner of my mouth goes up. Keep in mind that I cannot frown either so I do not have the pull downwards so this may affect it as well.
I am currently in facial retraining so am given exercises to correct this. Among many other exercises to strenthen the muscles.
Michelle ;D
Still patiently waiting for my spontaneous blink to return. ;)
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Okay, I know I don't quite fit the criteria, but I do have facial paralysis and use an electric toothbrush. I have no facial synkinesis. Thought that might add to your information.
Jean
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Okay, I'll bite.
I read this post earlier and I can't control my curiosity any longer.
Just what is the correlation between synkenisis and electric toothbrushes? Is there one, DHM? or is that what you are trying to establish?
Jan
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my synkenisis is mostly the eye (but not very noticable) no electric tooth brush used.
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Jan,
Interesting question ask,
Quoting you
“Just what is the correlation between synkenisis and electric toothbrushes?�
I have synkenisis and hypertonic muscles that would have been vibrated by the toothbrush. I am very curious as to if this stimulation (or “over� stimulation) has anything to do with abnormal nerve re-growth being that electrical stimulation is not encouraged in the early recovery stages of bells palsy- by NMFRT therapists.
I am going to start with inquiring within the community I know here (i.e. the ANA) and see the results. If there looks to be anything conclusive to this I will then ask the Bell Palsy forum.
I am just ever so curious to see what the replies, here, are going to be and if there is any correlation or not.
DHM
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I'm not sure of the relation but, I can't stand using an electric toothbrush even after 10 years of the removal of a 3.8cm AN. Even in the hosp after surgery, I craved fruits but couldn't handle the ones that had a crunch because of the vibrations they set off in my head. The sensations are very uncomfortable to me even now. I don't think I could ever live in an area where earthquakes are common!!
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The reason that electrical stimulation is not used is because the nerves conduct electricity and adding more current through them could cause the wiring to get "crossed" during healing. An electric toothbrush wouldn't be giving off any electrical output or you'd electrocute yourself when you tried to brush. Unless you're using some sort of incredibly high powered toothbrush, but I think in that case, synkinesis would be the least of your worries. :o
But in answer to the original questions, I had some synkinesis before my 7-12, but only around my eye. I do use one of those sonic care toothbrushes and have for a few years, but I swear I've never used it in my eye. ;D
Keep in mind that true Bell's Palsy is different than facial nerve injury. Bell's Palsy is usually caused by a virus that affects the facial nerve but does not cause any physical trauma, like having an AN removed from the facial nerve would. Electrical stimulation for true Bell's Palsy is actually very effective, because the nerve fibers themselves are intact and there isn't the concern for developing synkinesis from the nerves "rewiring" themselves during healing - they're already wired -but the signals aren't getting through. Once the virus is taken care of, the nerve signals are able to move along the way they are meant to.
Lori
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I do use one of those sonic care toothbrushes and have for a few years, but I swear I've never used it in my eye. ;D
:D :D ;) ;D :D
Too funny!
DHM
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Oops- Sorry - I just edited my last post because I hit enter before I was done! Darn laptop.. I'll never get used to this thing...
Lori
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I still don't understand the difference between Paralysis and synkenisis. I had full movement for the first week after surgery and then they think because of swelling, within 2 days I had no movement AN side. After hospital stay I went into a REHAB center for 5 weeks and the physical therapists used ice, a small vibrator and told me 2-3 times a day I should use an electric toothbrush when I do my facial exercises. They said it was all to stimulate the nerves and muscle in the area before you try to move it. I used the toothbrush at home also for another 2 months. 3 months post OP I could close my eye again and at 5 months my grin was even. I still have some facial weakness but I don't do my exercises nearly as often as I should.
Dan in Germany
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Dan~
That is interesting that they actually TOLD you to use an elelctric toothbrush! Somebody correct me if I am giving the wrong information, but the way I understand it is that paralysis is what you think it is - where you can not MOVE anything. Synkensis is when the nerves are regenerating but are "mis-firing" so like when you blink your eye, your mouth moves a bit or you want to smile but you grimace instead. It kind of like the wires got crossed..
K
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...hmmm, don't know if this is what you're looking for, but I had Bell's Palsy (not AN related) 19 years ago - tiny, tiny bit of synkenisis - never used an electric toothbrush, before or after.
Cindy
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Kay - you're right! Spoken like a true medical professional! I've always thought you'd make a good nurse! You're always taking care of people anyway - might as well get paid for it, right?
Lori
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Good survey DHM.
I never used an electric toothbrush. But on the subject of over stimulation -- I have a theory for my situation at least. I live alone. There were days at a time when I didn't talk with anyone during the intitial recovery period. In otherwords, I was not using my face muscles and nerves as most people normally do -- talking. Instead, I was using face exercises from the Palsy website which were exagerated movements -- not movements you would normally do -- or at least not without other counter movements like talking. I believe that fed incorrect information to my nerves.
As far as the affected muscles (hope I get the spelling right) Orbicularis oculi and oris, three Levator, both depressors, Proceous, and a strong interference from the Platysme.
As to the nerves (which by the way was the first time I saw a nerve chart like that -- thank you), I think the Brancial and the Visceral Nerves. It's really hard to tell.
By the way, I have my second round of Botox next Friday. I really could tell the difference when the first round wore off. How are you doing? Simon (chambo)? Debbie (oHIo)? How are you both doing?
David
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David,
Being alone doesn't stop me from talking - sometimes I'm the only one who listens! ;)
Lori
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I'm not saying a word...I am not saying a word...
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I hear you Lori.........now back to our regular scheduled program.......
heheheheheehehehe ;D
Anne Marie
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I'm sorry Lori, what did you say?
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Hijack....nice picture Marci! We are all embracing the 'new us'!
Hugs Michelle ;D
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Lori -- Talking to a cat always concerned me. I didn't know if I was making sense to the cat. And I really didn't know if the cat cared. I chose the middle-ground, sanity and silence. A cordial smile for the cat and nothing more. She really didn't care as long as she was fed. I don't talk to myself. I don't listen.
David
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Kay, they were pretty sure that almost all movement would come back because it was there after surgery. I think this is why they wanted me to try stimulating the muscles and nerves. I always used the toothbrush, ice, or vibrator when sitting in front of a mirror and doing facial exercises. I would try to close my eye and then stimulate the area that moves the eyelid and try again. Sometimes I saw more movement sometimes no movement, but I do think it helped.
Dan in Germany
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My facial therapist asked if I had an electrical tooth brush, because she thought it would do me good stimulating my gums.
I didn't have one, and now I don't think I wan't one ;)
I have some minor issues left. Involuntary movement of the corner of my mouth when closing eye, dimple in chin and occasional slight snarl. However, the dry eye is not dry anymore.
Regards, Kenneth
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Lori -- Talking to a cat always concerned me.
OMG, David!!! Are you serious???!!! I always talk to my cats - we have 3. My daughter thinks I'm crazy - and I probably am; but not because I talk to cats ;)
Sorry for the hijack!
Jan
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Jan, your daughter probably knows best, but I'd say you're not completely crazy until the cat starts to answer you back. And it makes sense.
Lori
***end of hijack****
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Lori,
So who is this Jack character that you keep saying "hi" to - anyway? :-\ ;) ;D :D
DHM :-*
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Good one, DHM!! ;D
K
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Oh, just some guy I never heard of until I came on this forum! ;)
I talk to him a lot too, as you can tell.
Lori
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Oh, just some guy I never heard of until I came on this forum! ;)
I talk to him a lot too, as you can tell.
Lori
Yeah, I talked to him a lot myself. Lori's married though, so Jack's mine ;)
Jan
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Congratulations Jan!! I hope you & Jack have a LONG and happy life together! ;D
K