Confused

[Cheryl R]

Samantha, you missed the Fri eve session there with the headache. The group noise is hard to take and I always end up with worse tinnitis.    That was really a good one as Jackie showed what should be done on some people depending on their time of paralysis.                This was the first year they have had the Fri eve session done this way and I hope it continues.             I do know someone else who went to another type of one learned nothing so we were lucky.                         I hope you keep doing well.      You are looking good.           It is no fun when we know there are still problems and not seen as much as early on.
      I was glad to get to meet you.                     Cheryl R

[salamander]

Yea, not to side track this into a hearing discussion, but the noise at Friday dinner was way over the tolerable level for my head (side track to headaches    I didn't know Jackie was going to talk or I would have stuck it out a bit longer.  Trying to laugh instead of cry, there is something a bit humorous about a room full of SSD people trying to talk to each other 

It was a very informative symposium.  I'm glad I went.  Nice to meet you, too, Cheryl!

Samantha

[Debbi]

Hey Samantha-

My hubby and I were sitting to your right at the Fri dinner - and you are right, it was so noisy that it was impossible to talk.  Sorry we did not get a chance to talk a bit.  We left right after you did - just too much noise and commotion. 

Debbi

[Goldie]

My understanding from what Jackie said was that you need to wait until you see the crease from your nose to the corner of your mouth before starting therapy?  That would be a sign there is some nerve action starting.   

Denise

(And it was nice to meet you Cheryl.  I didn't make the connection when we met at the Midwest lunch table that you had already corresponded with me.)

[moe]

I always tell patient to go for symmetry. For example, winking one eye, or trying to, is always bad because it usaully causes a lot of facial muscles on the winking side to contract together and cause distortion. The best way to relearn eye close is to look down and close with both eyes.

Todd,
Thank you for reminding me about closing of the eye. Dr. Rubenstein who did my 12/7 transposition was so excited to see some synkenesis when I squeezed my  left eye shut.  ???There was movement in my left upper lip (which is flaccid). So yes, there is some nerve/muscle connection going on ,though the wrong way. This is 18 months post 12/7 transposition, 3 years post AN surgery.

I'm discouraged with his plan.....come back in six months.

I do  have muscle movement in some areas of the face, but not around lip/cheek area. Kind of looks sunk in. He doesn't want to do any additional surgery at the moment, but I will look into plastic surgery  after the holidays if he still wants to "watch."

I'm confused about what kind of exercises to do. Docs don't say anything. I'm trying acupuncture in a week to see if that will help with movement, since there is nerve innervation now.
I've had some facial massage therapy also. No Neuro muscular facial training per se.

I'm military (tri care) so the options are more limited.

Any insight? ideas?
Thanks,
Maureen