ANA Discussion Forum

Post-Treatment => Facial Issues => Topic started by: chloes mema on October 19, 2012, 08:55:40 am

Title: Facial spasms, twitching, & discomfort 5 1/2 months after CK
Post by: chloes mema on October 19, 2012, 08:55:40 am

This morning the left side of my face (AN side) started twitching, pulling, and generally not feeling right.  Eyelid came down, side of my mouth felt like it was going up.  My vision went blurry and I started freaking.  My cheek still does not feel "right".  Is this the start of facial paralysis?

I've got a call in to my neurotologist, hopefully on a Friday he'll call back soon and I've looked at postings under Facial Issues.  The postings I read did give me hope that this is a "fleeting" side effect of the tumor irritating some nerves but it still has me paniced.  From what I've read under the postings steroids can help?

Thanks for reading and being there for me.

Karen  

P.S.
OK, just heard back from my doctor or I should say his office assistant.  Does not mean paralysis all though there is always a 1-2% chance of paralysis but it's normally temporary.  They have sent a prescription to my pharmacist to be on file if my face starts drooping.  So at least my questions have been answered but my face still fells funny.   :)   

Title: Re: Facial spasms, twitching, & discomfort 5 1/2 months after CK
Post by: Jim Scott on October 19, 2012, 12:20:29 pm

Karen ~

Quite a scare!  However, I'm pleased to learn that the twitching and pulling are very likely of a temporary nature.  Please keep us updated.  Thanks.

Jim

Title: Re: Facial spasms, twitching, & discomfort 5 1/2 months after CK
Post by: chloes mema on October 19, 2012, 06:16:09 pm

I picked up the prescription tonight which is for a corticosteroid; just in case.  I thought I don't want to get stuck over a week end & need it.

Reading the side effects are like uh, I already exhibit most of these symptoms - i.e. dizziness, facial flushing, feeling of whirling motion & headache.  :o

Any way, so far today I've only had the one episode.

Karen  

Title: Re: Facial spasms, twitching, & discomfort 5 1/2 months after CK
Post by: mattsmum on October 20, 2012, 12:56:41 pm

i had hemi facial spasms for quite a few months starting a month or two after radiation - i only get minor twitches now. my neurosurgeon advised me it did not mean a higher chance of facial weakness above the usual 1-2% and that it would improve, which it did. i hope yours settles quickly,
vikki

Title: Re: Facial spasms, twitching, & discomfort 5 1/2 months after CK
Post by: chloes mema on October 21, 2012, 09:22:32 am

Had another "episode" this morning (2 days after initial one).  I don't know if it's my imagination or not but I believe my tinnitus is much worse since the initial episode. 

Read a very good post from 2008 regarding hemifacial spasms so don't feel so "isolated" after reading that others have had similar experience.  You know, about the time I figure all is well I'm done with this AN stuff something else happens to remind me that I'm never going to be over this!   :(

Karen

Title: Re: Facial spasms, twitching, & discomfort 5 1/2 months after CK
Post by: chloes mema on October 24, 2012, 07:41:56 am

And the twitch goes on...

After procrastinating about taking the steroid pack, calling my doctor umpteen times, and talking to several friends I finally started the steroids this morning.  Here's hoping they work.

Karen  

Title: Re: Facial spasms, twitching, & discomfort 5 1/2 months after CK
Post by: chloes mema on October 27, 2012, 05:41:04 pm

Steroids are not working.   :(  ???

Had a spasm last night and a bad spasm tonight now the left side of my face is twitching.

So now going to do more on-line research then email my doctor.

Karen