ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Facial Issues => Topic started by: maxine on February 23, 2013, 10:45:45 am
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Hi,
I have a question for those of you who have had facial nerve issues. Since a few months before my AN diagnosis I noticed a puffiness above the eyelid on the AN side, right where the gland that makes tears is. This area above the eyelid is puffy most of the day but especially when I wake up. Sometimes there is a bump about the size of a tiny marble above the eyelid. I do have other facial nerve issues -- twitching, eye tearing, etc. -- but now my right eye is starting to get the same thing. I don't want to attribute everything to the AN, but has anyone else experienced this? Thanks,
Maxine
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Hello Maxine,
It was very interesting to read your post.
I have the same sort of puffiness above my eye, close to the bridge of my nose on the AN side.
I never connected the dots so to speak but now that you point it out, I do wonder if it is AN related!
The puffiness is just on one side and I have now had it for a few years. Like you, worse in the morning.
I will write again if I find out anything - I have an appointment with Drs next week.
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Thanks for your reply. When I was having a routine eye appointment I discussed it with the doctor. It seems that the bump like a marble is a cyst that can come from or with dry eyes. I'm using eye drops now. However, I wonder if the other puffiness has to do with facial nerve issues. Or, it could just be aging. I'll be interested if you find anything out.
Best.
Maxine
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Maxine, I have the same issues with my eye on the AN side. I never thought of connecting it to the AN and possible nerve damage. Last month, it got so bad I had to put hot compresses on it every day for over a week to get it back to the new normal, LOL!! Did your AN encompass more than one of your craniel nerves? Mine affected the 4th thru 8th. Wish I had an answer for you.
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Thanks for your post. I am not sure what nerves were affected as I had radiation (can they see from MRI which nerves are affected or do you have to have surgery to know?) but I have had a lot of facial nerve issues that I understand aren't supposed to be that common with radiation, so I assume the facial nerve was affected. As some of them started before I had treatment, I think it isn't all from radiation side effects. I also have some numbness, sometimes with facial spasms and sometimes without. I hope eventually the puffiness will go away, but for now it is my new normal.
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I am really not sure if they can see all that from the MRI. I had all the same issues before surgery that I have now, except before surgery I could hear on the AN side better than the other side. My AN was 2.5 cm. It had attached itself to my 4th thru 8th cranial nerves and brainstem. I wasn't given a choice on radiation or surgery. I had to many symptoms to have radiosurgery, so I had retrosyg. I am 3 years out, so I am working hard at getting used to the new normal!!!