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Small, slight twitch on bottom of chin

I'm a 68 year old female who has noticed a persistant small, slight twitch on a particular spot on the lower part of my chin.  It seems almost tremor-like but hardly noticeable.  It goes away for about 2 days after intense exercise but then returns - same place.  I looked up the symptom on the internet ( as many do these days) and the only explanation I'm finding seems to be brainstem glioma ( rare in adults) due to pressure on facial nerve. I have chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small cell lymphoma. I plan to tell my oncologist about this but do not have an appointment for months.  I have no other symptoms.  It doesn't look like much can be done if this is the dx.  I just want to know - can there be any other explanation??  I really don't want to risk an MRI w/contrast at this time due to all the risks.  I would appreciate any explanations or direction.  Thank you.
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Avatar universal
My uncle had CLL. I have several friends with it as well. He passed away, but from his heart, not the CLL. And the smoking, drinking etc.  

Until you have had gad for the first time, you won't know if you have a reaction - and they are not typical. I find it less bothersome than CT contrast. I get lots and lots and lots of scans (I tried to count the other day... I could not) but MRIs are typically just an IV and drink drink drink. If you have good kidney function, it is not typically an issue - but then people can be not typical. I am glad it is not a problem for me.

I do what I can.
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Avatar universal
Yes, I'm on watch and wait for the CLL. I guess you know about it as you mentioned it by name.  I'm impressed - not everyone is familiar with this chronic form of leukemia.  I've had it for a very long time.  

For this twitch/tremor/quiver thing ( still on my chin but in a different location now)  I'm thinking of going to my PCP and asking for a consult with a neurologist - as you had suggested.  That's all I really want. Maybe I can get some benign explanation for all of this or at least give me hope there could be one. I'm still in the thinking stage. I've had MRIs too - not as many as you, but enough.  The last one was supposed to be with contrast but I opted out.  That's probably what I'd do again if need be.  I wish you the best of health.
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Avatar universal
I have had gad once a year sometimes twice for ... 20 years? Unless you are allergic it is pretty benign - just drink extra after you have it.

And I am certainly not the picture of health (hence all the MRIs). I cannot even count all the CTs, MRIs, X-rays etc. Only one PET and octreoscan so far though. I should glow in the dark.

You get radiation in the sun. In an airplane... living has risk - I totally totally understand being afraid but when you do research, it is helpful to read not posts by anxious people but real data backed up by studies. You can also opt for an MRI without contrast...

So you are on the wait and see for the CLL?
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your reply.  've never had any radiation or chemo for the leukemia.  I should have mentioned that.  I really am afraid of the gadolinium effects because of everything I've read - including posts on this site. At some point, I'll have to make a decision if it's worth taking the risk.  Thank you, again, for your reply. I appreciate the time you took to do it.
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Avatar universal
I would, if you are that worried, ask your PCP to see you ASAP, and then see your  neurologist if you have one.

Twitches can be quite benign as well as tics. I have some issues there myself lately (with my eye) and the source cannot be found. My doc told me to drink tonic water and it helped sooth the nerve when it pops up. There can also be other nerve issues - but a neurologist would have to determine the issue. I am a patient myself and just can guess.

As I assume you have had quite a bit of either radiation or chemo, there could be side effects as well depending on how or where it was given.

CTs have radiation - but MRIs don't have any long lasting effects that I know since it is just a magnet - and gad, as long as you have decent kidneys, usually clears out in a day or two.
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