Facial numbness

[trisht94]

Hi Well, I had my repeat MRI done yesterday and am awaiting the results of that. I am having some odd symptoms...I am having facial numbness, not like I can't move a side of my face, but it feels when you've been at the dentist, and the numbness is wearing off. I also have a severe headache at the back of my head. This just started over the last couple of days. I know the headache can be symptomatic of chiari, but has anyone else had the facial numbness? It is more of an annoyance that anything else! I just can't wait to figure out what they are going to do about the dizziness. I have tried both Meclizine and Diamox with no results, and I have been on Topamax for a while for migraines, so I guess we'll see! Thanks in advance for any answers!
Trish

[Emme80]

I was DX'd w/Chiari long before symptoms reared their ugly heads too. 10 years later. I  too had numbness and alerted my NL ... For 7months,  I had non-stop, never ending numbness on the left side of by body. Face, part of shoulder, hip, breast....but face was big as....I don't know, it was my face! Just like novocaine as it JUST begins to wear off-but it's still numb & tingly. I kind of got used to it.  We determined it was not from Botox(for migraine treatments), and so she had an EMG test done-basically to tell if if was nerves (peripheral neuropathy???) I don't remember the "name" of it..but she wanted to know if it was coming from nerves in my body or nerves in my brain=the compression of nerves in my brain. The EMG test showed nothing wrong w/the nerves in my body. It was in brain-from what I understand of it all.
What was exciting/interesting, is my NS explained to me that I would wake up from the Decompression Surgery with what might look like tiny spider bites on my forearm...he said it may ache a little, but it was a machine/dealio that once opened&pedaling w/nerves, little needles would be inserted to different areas that would tell him what was "active"/ "normal" waves(? I think he said nerve waves of sorts) and which was not...so....I'm sorry, long story short, he said (to my mom while I was in the ICU recovery that he found more compressed nerves than he thought. When I truly awoke(about 2days), alert like, he did a routine Neurological exam, rubbed both sides if my face & for the first time they both felt the same. I think I jumped inside my body. No numbness has returned.
I know anxiety can do a lot to your body.... But if I were you, I'd wait on the whole anxiety causing this. When we know that Chiari does. Ask for an EMG test from NL. It's a good way to rule things out. No fun of a test, but important.
And BTW- whatever and however many needles were inserted into my forearm during surgery didn't phase me one single bit. If it was sore-I didn't know&wouldn't have cared b/c the whole head&neck pain kinda trumped little needles that'd been stuck in my arm! ;)

[Lisagchiari]

Who was the neurosurgeon and what hospital was the decompression surgery ?

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.
This is an older thread and the member you are addressing may no longer be an active member....you may want to create a new thread and post a question to current members.

[KSchmo]

I was DX with chiari and before I started on any meds I noticed this symptom. It's interesting and that's exactly how I describe it to my husband! It's like the end of the novicane. I'm sure it's just the blockage of the nerves in the brain. I also expierance a chilliness in my cheeks with it, but that's in my head Bc when I ask my husband to feel my cheeks he says they feel a normal temp. I do still notice it even on the topamax.- maybe with more frequency but it's not too bothersome  

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

May I ask, do you also have Chiari in addition to the epilepsy?

DO you feel it is the med causing the numbness?....Sorry I am not sure if I know how to help you.

Topamax can cause a multitude of symptoms....and we take it typically for headaches....but some do experience epilepsy pre and post op...as it can be related.

[hannah_mariexx]

I've been on Topamax for JME and it's been making me feel like there's pins in my face it literally hurts its almost 12 in the morning and I can't sleep my face in hurting right now and it my neck feels like there is pins also my whole body does it but on certain days its really strange it honestly affects my face the most and bothers me when it starts feeling that in my face the most... I wish it would stop my doctor said it would within 6 months its only been 4 and a half..

[selmaS]

  I am glad ur Dr is willing to get u in and at least take a look as to how ur chiari is affecting u.....

  We r all diff and who knows u may have something diff going on......

   Please keep us posted

[trisht94]

Well, I spoke with the receptionist at the NS office and told her about the numbness on my face that is now constant and spreading, and told them I had my MRI. They called me back and told me that my NS wants to see me before my scheduled appt in the middle of Nov, so I go on Wed. I guess we'll see where we go from there. I guess I would like to have a game plan....oh, I was also told that the ENT likes to review everything before setting up appointments...so...I'm just waiting...waiting....waiting.....

[selmaS]

  Hi, that numbness is pretty typical for those with Chiari.,...in fact we can have a bells palsey kind of look to us when we have this numbness.

I remember having it and I just happen to be at the NS talking with the NP and I was telling her symptoms and I said facial numbness and I said I have it now, and she said I know I can see it, as ur face is sagging a bit on the left....that is where it was numb....no one else had mentioned to me b4 that my face looked different, but she said the said I felt it on b4 I could and she said it is typical with those she/.they see with chiari.

[trisht94]

Thank you all so much! I am so new with all of this! I have done research on CMI, but it seems like there are so many more things go along with this! I have  break this weekend from school, as I'm going back to get my BSN online, so hopefully we won't loose power with Sandy! Going to do lots of research, call my NS and let him know what's going on, and try to find out the results of my MRI. I appreciate everyone filling me in on their experiences, as I am a newbie! Thank you!
Trish

[irislita]

P.s. i disagree going to the psych...they will put it down to anxiety.await ur mris...i dont think facial numbness can be from anxiety!!!its nerve compression/damage

[irislita]

I had facial and mouthnumbness too and still do.it could also be issue of craniocervical instability!

[classiechic]

Hi, I have CM and IIH, I have a large variety of Symptoms and thats one of them. Although it's rare for me, it does happen. I was told that the Intracranial Hypertention causes that, along with pressure headaches. Everyone has different symptoms, but this one is common. Hope you get some relief soon.

[LisaRiu]

Hi
I have also experienced the facial numbness as you described. I also get the numbness and tingling elsewhere too. It is always temporary but some more temporary than others. I had an area of numbness and strange sensation around my right hip which lasted for 4 months. When I told my doctor she just said it was 'my condition'. I always tell my NL about new symptoms when I see her and let her decide whether it is something that needs to be dealt with or not. I also have a syrinx too which causes such problems. I was diagnosed in 2009 so have learnt to 'live with' my numerous problems as not all doctors and professionals know what to do with me, and not all know enough about CM & syrinx to treat the problems.  Life can be frustrating for us, but I try not to let it get to me or I'd never do anything.
Keep a list or diary of new symptoms and talk to your NL about them when you see them. If you are in any distress, make an appt sooner to discuss the issues and how they are affecting your life.
Hope this helps
Lisa

[yumechan]

I don't know what will be, you should go to a neurologist and to a psychology too (just in case of a emotional issue). but a experience facial numbness when I have eplepsy crises