ANA Discussion Forum

Post-Treatment => Facial Issues => Topic started by: sarahinPA on December 21, 2010, 08:03:19 pm

Title: facial spasms/paralysis
Post by: sarahinPA on December 21, 2010, 08:03:19 pm
Hello everyone! I am 3 weeks away from my 2 year post op anniversary (Gamma Knife , Jan 14, 2009). In the last 3 months or so, I have been experiencing facial paralysis/spasms while i am laughing or smiling alot. My AN side always feels tighter than the other side, and i experience some twitching and smaller spasms in my upper lip and lower part of my eye. I contacted my neurosurgeon today, and he suggested having an MRI sooner than my annual check up. This has me slightly nervous, and I was just wondering if anyone else has had this type of experience?
Title: Re: facial spasms/paralysis
Post by: nancyann on December 23, 2010, 06:41:11 am
Hi Sara:  I have total paralysis right side post AN surgery,  so I never had this experience. 
I'm glad to hear you called your neurosurgeon on this. 
Always good thoughts,  Nancy
Title: Re: facial spasms/paralysis
Post by: Shan1014 on January 22, 2011, 07:15:12 pm
Hi,
I just happened to see your post.  I hope things are well for you and you found out some answers.  You described my facial issues perfectly and so I thought I would respond.  I usually don't look through this section of the forum but..... this past week I had facial paralysis or a strong spasm a few times this week for the first time.  Also, lots of twitches in my upper lip and eye... and it is my AN side.  I discovered that mine occurred anytime I was jogging (I am a PE teacher :)   I called my doctor and he thought it is probably my tumor shrinking... at least we both think it is.  I had surgery last March and it grew back so then I had radiation in September.  I am having my second MRI next week and am hoping that it shows that it is shrinking. My AN was pretty large, over 4 cm, so it created a fairly large space.  Now, if I can just fill it back up with brains :)  Hope all has gone well for you.  Take care.
Shannon
Title: Re: facial spasms/paralysis
Post by: sarahinPA on February 02, 2011, 08:16:25 pm
Hi All,
I received a letter from my doctor today which explained that my recent MRI is showing my AN 2mm bigger on the skull side. This could be from swelling from the gamma knife 2 years ago, or it could be regrowth, which he says is only a 2% chance. I took a 6 day dose of steroids and am asked to return to get another MRI in June. This was slightly discouraging for me today, I was hoping for better news, but I guess we have to take what is given to us. Thank you for your support.