Ixta,
I also have high cholesterol in my family and so I follow a diet. My cholesterol is normal so far with the diet but an extra slice of cheese just makes it skyrocket. My brother, who is only 2 years younger, is already taking Lipitor. He cannot do it through the diet alone. To figure out if it is the carotid, go to a primary physician or a cardiologist. I had no luck with neurologists. They love to test you but do nothing to address the symptoms. Just my experience!
You had such a big tumor, I would be really surprised if your vagus nerve was not involved. I know mine was both times. I was really afraid of the symptoms but had minimal ones the second time which went away really quicky. These include coughing, swallowing difficulties due to uncoordination of musculature, weak voice and in the worst case, no voice due to paralyzed vagus nerve because it controls your vocal cords. I never heard of the twitching but anything can happen with the AN, who knows!
Eve