ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Facial Issues => Topic started by: Jeanlea on August 18, 2009, 07:29:34 pm
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I'm nearly four years post-op and just today for the first time my face is having visible twitches. I can watch them in the mirror and my husband can see them. My face has been feeling really tight the past few days. Now it's the twitching. CrookedSmile talked about this back in March. What happened? I'm hoping that it means that more movement is coming.
Jean
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4 months or 4 YEARS?????
K
I think it is a GREAT sign!! YEA for you!
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Kay,
Thanks for catching that. It's been nearly four YEARS, not months. Hard to believe that much time has gone by already.
Jean
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WHOO - HOO ! ! Great news Jean ! ! Thanks for making my day ! ! Hoping also movement is on the way ! !
Always good thoughts, Nancy
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Jean ~
I'm not a doctor but I suspect the twitching you're experiencing may be a sign of nerve regeneration. I truly hope so. I think we'll all be awaiting further reports from you.
Jim
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WOW that is soooo exciting! News like this certainly gives people like me more HOPE and hope is a wonderful thing!
Keep us posted this is exciting!
Michelle ;D
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Today as I was gazing in the mirror, (my post AN hobby) I noticed that I can now smirk and it looks like I'm smirking! I have a strange sense of humor and smirk a lot. Now it really resembles a smirk. Maybe all this twitching is really causing some change.
Jean
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WHOO-HOO!! ;D
K ;D
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Keep this great news coming Jean ! ! I'm so happy for you !
Always good thoughts, Nancy
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I noticed that I can now smirk and it looks like I'm smirking!
Smirk away, Jean! ;D
Steve
PS: Can you smirk while wearing a hat?
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Great news, Jean!
Was your facial nerve cut during the original surgery?
I'm feeling more twinges on my AN side, 18 months after the 12/7 nerve transposition, 3 years post brain surgery.
I'm hoping my twinges evolve into twitches!
Maybe there is hope afterall ::) I'm looking into acupuncture though to help things along.
Congrats again on your smirk!
Maureen
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Maureen,
I hope your twinges turn to twitches also. My nerve was not cut during surgery so I operate under the premise that it will eventually come back, even though that process is exceedingly slow. My random guess is that it will take ten years. Ha! Only six more years to go. lol
Jean
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Hi Jean, twitching can be both good and bad. Good that more nerve fibers are regenerating, bad that they may be causing muscle hypertonicity (means " high tone" or "high tension") to develop and with that a tic (the name given for a periodic spasm or twitch). This can be easily managed by massaging your face, which will not harm your nerve regrowth, but will help the muscles to relax more and "behave". There are many ways to massage your face, don't know if one technique is better than another. I like stroking horizontally across both sides from center out with the flat part of your fingers from the forehead and working your way slowly down. Use slow, firm steady strokes. Use skin lotion if needed. Don't cause pain (too hard!). However, any massage technique is good and if you can get someone else to do it so you are completely relaxed, all the better! Best wishes,
Todd
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Todd,
Am I correct in assuming you are the facial therapy guy I've heard such good things about on here? Thank you for your advice. I didn't know I should be massaging my face, but I have been doing that off and on ever since I had my surgery. I noticed it stops the twitching. It also helps when my face feels tight. I think I read something about using your thumb and fingers to massage your face on Jackie Diehls site a long time ago. I even had my husband doing it the other night. He thought I was just trying to see if I could feel it. lol (I have no feeling either.)
Jean
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Yes, thanks Todd for that useful bit of info.
I have been getting facial massages every other week for months now, my massage lady has seen chnges in the left side of the face. More "tightness" in the jaw area, which means there is some muscle action going on there. If you can afford it, I would definitely look into it, Jean.
I'm off for an acupuncture consult tomorrow to see if what they say- hoping to get some more movement.
Todd, do you have any insight into acupuncture? There are some people who have had good results.
Thanks :)
Maureen
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Thank you so much for that post, Jean and the picture. I can really see the difference. Lately, I've been really depressed because I wasn't believing there was any hope for recovery and that doctors and PTs were just blowing hot air. Thank you! David
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I did it-finally made a consult appt with acupuncturist here in Poulsbo, WA.
Traditional chinese medicine- name is Robert Doane. He tooted his horn for a good 5 minutes. Apparently one of the largest clinics in the country (?), his clinic sees over 100 clients/day.
Has had success with bells palsy (acupuncture apparently is THE only treatment for bells palsy). Came highly recommended by 2 people I know.
His web site/ stats are impressive.
The proof is in the pudding, right? Will let you know how it goes! I'm going to move this over to the acupuncture post, also.
So if one can afford it-keep open as an option to get movement back. I'm feeling optimistic about this :) Since my face is becoming more tingly by the day, I'm hoping and praying this helps things along.
For anyone with Bells Palsy, he has seen results with clients who have dealt with the facial paralysis for years.
Maureen :-\
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Sorry I am so long in replying, I missed this reply and haven't time to log on very often. By now you've probably tried acupuncture. How did it help? I am neutral in it's regard. Some say it helped them, others not. Not sure why or why not. Am pretty sure it does nothing to help synkinesis problems though (based on a lot of my patients who tried it, and zero were helped). It may help with soreness & pain, and perhaps tension. The real question is whether it helps in nerve recovery process. I don't know the answer to that. Lastly, I do not think it causes any harm.
Best wishes,
Todd
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Todd,
I've been in acupuncture for 2 months now, down to 2 times/wk.
I've noticed increased muscle tone to parts of the cheek and can now see a "crease" along the side of the nose and more movement around the mouth. (left side). Also when I scrunch my nose, I see muscle along the side of the nose lift, very small amount but enough to know this is impressive. I also take herbs and the face feels tingly most of the time.
The left upper lip still won't budge. I'm also doing acupuncture for my general well being, which is helping tremendously, so I'm glad I pursued it. Hopefully I won't require drastic surgery, just something to help lift the left lip/cheek area.
We'll see.
So the question as to whether it helps in nerve recovery?....Probably because I'm getting the improved muscle tone.
It's just a long process. (3.5 years post op, with the 7/12 transposition 2 years ago)
I'll probably give it a couple of more months and that's it. I AM feeling better in general.
Thanks for asking!
Maureen
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Wonderful news for you too Maureen. I had gone the acupuncture route when I was 4 months post op, for approx. 9 months. I did mentally feel so relaxed after it was done, but it didn't help movement with me - probably because I never had the 7/12 jump.
Always good thoughts, Nancy
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Nancy,
Wow, 9 months is a long time! We'll see how long my treatment goes for......I also take herbs which is supposed to help. My face definitely is starting to "feel" different. Not AS flat. Tingly.
I plan on continuing it once a month for life, I think, kind of like a tune up for the body. :)
Maureen