On-going Twitchy eyelids

Hello, Last November 2004 I developed twitchy eyelids, in both eyes, upper and lower lids that lasted for about 3 months.  I put it down to buying an expresso coffee machine at about the same time and an increased intake of caffeine and sure enough when I switched to decaff the twitching stopped.   I have been drinking decaff ever since. But this November it has all returned again.  The twitch moves around my eyes, sometimes above, sometimes below,  inner eye or or outer corner, never twitching in more than one place at a time but sometimes the twitch is so bad it affects my vision - I can see my eyelid moving across my field of vision!  Is this the stress of Christmas  (4 kids)??- it has now been 4 weeks and I am dreading this going on for 3 months like the last time.  Sometimes the area of the twitch aches with the amount of movement.  Or have I got some other problem.  Last year my doctor tested my thyroid (level?) in a blood test when I mentioned it but it was normal.

Any help or advice would be so gratefully received. PS I am 43 and as far as I know heallthy in every other way (non-smoker, not overweight etc)  Happy new year.

[Forum-OD-MP]

there are many threads here about this.  a very common question.  with eyelid twitch there are really 2 probabilities:

myokymia: a benign spasm of the eyelid.  the most common cause is lack of sleep or stress, but also caused by caffiene/stimulants, etc.  can be temporarily stopped with warm compresses and/or ocular antihistmaines (rx only).  RARELY (very rarely) it is the precursor to the next condition...

blepharospasm or facial nerve damage:  ittitation or damage to your cranial facial nerve, most commonly from virus but also less commonly with trauma, MS and others.  would likely need facial (not eye, so dont panic!) botox injections every 3 mo or so to stop it.

the Christmas stress could definitely be a factor.  try a warm compress every time it happens, and see if it keeps occurring once the holidays are over.

[Jadziamorgan]

Thanks for that- I shall try the warm compresses in the short run - fingers crossed that will help - I have read all the other posts about eye twitches too - it is common but sooo annoying and you feel very self conscious about it.  I can see my eyes twitching in the mirror although I'm sure other people will probably not notice. I feel like they will think I am about to explode with anger at them because my eye has started to twitch!  Like they've said something I don't agree with.  And of course when all this season's doings calms down it may improve, maybe I am unconsciously stressed about it all.   Once again all the best for 2006.

[rt e concern]

I had a root canal on the last top tooth on Thurs 12/29/05.  I was not in pain until the following Monday 1/2/06.  The doctor called me in a script and said it was probably an infection.  I started with the random rt bottom eye lid twitching on Tues or wed.  The doctor saw me on Wed and said it was infected.I forgot to tell him about the twitching until a week later.  He said it was not related to the work he did, and I should see my doctor.  I already checked with the pharmacy and it was not a listed side effect of either drug.  I had no previous problems until this root canal was done.  I have had no changes in eating, sleeping, stress, or diet.  Could this be caused from the root canal or the infection? Does it need treatment or will it stop one day?  We are going on 3 weeks now.  Thanks.