New symptom, feeling yucky

[Momzilla]

Hi, everyone~

Although I really enjoy being one who is there to help answer questions (or direct everyone to Dr. Q's informative posts), and at least try to buoy spirits, I am finding myself increasingly "needy" lately.  I know I'm in the right place with all my friends!

I shared recently that I am currently being tested by a very interested, empathetic neurologist (Thank you, God!) and just in the nick of time, as I was at the end of my rope, really, here in Limbo.  

I haven't shared that I am having hot flashes.  Yea!  A sign that I am entering another phase of life, that cool club of women that seem so wise and at ease with themselves, even with their fans in hands.  My 'flashes' are not uncomfortable, especially since I'm a Northern girl in the middle of a frosty, snowy winter right now.  I bring this up, because, I am waking in the night a few times with these little reminders of my new approaching wisdom.  

I also have had very strong facial parasthesias lately, and hardly any sensation on the left side of my face or nose anymore.  Well, when I wake in the night and when I wake with my alarm clock, sometimes my left eyelid doesn't open.  I noticed this first when I woke up with my alarm clock.  It didn't open, and I thought it was stuck with the crusties, or something, but it wasn't.  I had to "think" to open it.  When it opened, it was fine.  I was groggy, so I kind of forgot about it until it happened again.

Then when I started waking in the night with my warm epiphanies, I noticed that, again, my left eyelid, didn't "know how to" or "didn't know it was time to" open.  I had to "think" it open.  Once open, it's fine.  Not ptotic or droopy.  Perfectly fine.  It just needs a kick start.  

My right popped open as it always does.  This has happened maybe 5 times that I recall now.  It bothers me, because of the symptoms I have with that side of my face.  Also, the left side of my face doesn't "smile" as big as my right.  I know I haven't had a stroke, and I have had an MRA done, which was fine.

I'm kind of weirded out about it.  I will call the doctor's office tomorrow to report it, but wondered what anyone else thought.  Has it happened to you?

Thanks,

I know there is a question about my "handle" now...I would love to go around as Hot Pants, but my 7 yr old reminded me about how very 'squishy' my behind is yesterday, as he bounced his basketball off of it several times.  Alas, I must remain....

Zilla*

[Heather3418]

Sweetheart, I am so sorry that you are feeling so crappy.  I cannot even imagine what you go through with your illness and raising all those kiddies.  God Bless you.

I hope you know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers, dear one.  Always.

Heather

[Super_sally888]

Hi Girl,

Fun time you're having.  Sounds like your face could become a contortionist all by itself.

Your dr can test hormones to see if the hot flashes are menopause related.  Most likely.  Though it is possible to get flushing with other conditions....

Hang in there.  Hope that this is a transient thing that passes quickly.

Hugs and Cheers

Sally

[Quixotic1]

Hmmm, his mind must have been elsewhere.  He was thinking "difficulty openinging your eye", not that it was totally shut, then peopped open and was fine.

Blepharospasm (usually seen and treated by ophthalmologists, maybe he's just not familiar with it) is a "focal dystonia" of the group of muscles that squeeze the eye shut.  It has been reported several times occurring in MS, but is also seen more frequently in other neurological disorders.

The other possibility is transient weakness of the muscle that lifts the eyelid.

He seems to be thinking about Myesthenia Gravis which is an autimmune block of the neuromuscular junction.  MG often presents as a ptosis or lagging of the eyelids which increases as the day wears on and improves with rest.  People with MG are almost invariably better in the morning and become weaker with the day's activity.

Your eye is shut until it "pops open" and is normal throughout the day or days until it happens again at night or when you awaken.

He'll hear the difference when you see he next.  Also some people with blepharospasm find that certain ways of touching around the eye, simple massage or pulling up on the lid to see if it will awaked also work.  You might try this to see if you can find the trigger for opening it.

As long as it remains relatively minor - just a few minutes until it opens, it can probably wait until you see him again and explain the difference.  If it starts to stay shut, or becomes associated with other spasms or movements of that side of the face (a condition known as hemifacial spasm) then you would need to have him see you sooner, so he can document it.

Did this help?

Quix

[Momzilla]

Well, my doc just called, and he said he was glad I called, but the eyelid doesn't seem to correlate with my other symptoms.  He said that if it continues, he will do a blood test for Myesthenia next time.  He said that he is making a note in my chart right now, and will ask me about it next time I'm in.

Hmmm.  I told him that a friend of mine who is a doctor said it was a blepharospasm, and that she thought with my other symptoms, it was better to just call and report the new symptom.  He said, Yes, that's just the kind of thing he needs to hear about, but for now, see how long it lasts and he will check it with a blood test next time if it persists.  For now, it doesn't correlate with my other symptoms....

I was glad he called me back and he did make anote in my chart....any thoughts anyone?  I guess this is the end of the mysterious eyeblinking episode....


Z*

[Momzilla]

I won't forget, ess!  I loved reading your message.  Thanks!

Zil*

[essdipity]

Great, let us know. And remember what I said!

ess