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Can't open eyelid in the morning

Hello.
Last September, I was diagnosed with BFS. I still twitch, but have gone on to develop muscle aching, and tightness, all of which I understand to be characteristic of BFS. However, 2 weeks ago, I developed a frightening symptom: my left eye will not open - without struggle - after a period of sleep. As I wake often during the night, this can happen several times a night, and in the morning. It happens every night.
Is this related to BFS or is this a symptom of something more serious?
Thanks in advance,
EVNY
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Avatar universal
The majority of patients with this "stiff eyelid" problem are women in their 50s and 60s.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6351019/    Are any of you on this site taking medications for osteoporosis? I started Fosamax (alendronate) slightly over a year ago, and it works well for my bone density!  However, I sometimes get foot and leg cramps (not very bad) so wondered if the hard-to-open eyelids could also be related to blood levels of calcium and magnesium???  Thank you for sharing!  ;^)
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Avatar universal
In the article at this link [ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6351019/ ], the majority of people with "awakening ptosis," as the article calls it, are women in their 50s and 60s. Is anyone else here taking osteoporosis medications?  I have taken alendronate (Fosamax) for more than a year, with great results for bone density. However, I sometimes have leg or ankle cramps -- possibly due to low blood levels of calcium and/or magnesium. The cramps are mild, not a major problem. But I wondered if difficult eyelid-opening (which I developed several months ago).is related to changed Ca++ or Mg++ levels due to osteoporosis meds.  Does anyone else on this site take osteoporosis meds, or another medication that alters calcium levels? Thank you for sharing! ;^)   Lynn Kerr
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Avatar universal
For the eyelid sticking to the eye-ball in the A.M. (no gunk/discharge)
I have this in my left eye only  - it does not happen every night  . I always take a drink of water to bed with me as I get DRY MOUTH = DEHYDRATION - and this is a SYMPTOM OF MANY MEDICATIONS - (check the list of side effects of whatever you take)

This is what I do:
I do NOT try to force the eyelid to open. I take a several gulps of water , lie down , close both eyes and wait about 5 -10 mins. After this time I try to re-open my eyes - (usually it works ) My left eye has been re-hydrated from the water I drank and I am able to open it with no problem,
I have noticed that this can be exacerbated if you have A/C on - especially the air-vent kind or a ceiling fan running ( I do) which will add to drying out your eye(s).
[SIDE NOTE:  I believe that the reason only my left eye has this problem is because my right eye area does not drain well and is often puffy in the AM ( I had Bells Palsy on the right side of my face about 25 years ago- and it has been this way since). So my left eye area drains really well and dries out. ]

So this is mainly an issue of de-hydration , I believe. I suggest: stop drinking alcohol ~ 3 hours before you sleep, then drink water or  green tea ( which is only slightly diuretic) only.

Stop drinking - permanently - anything containing APARTAME (as somebody above said) . Stop drinking sugary/carbonated drinks  especially in the evening - Only use Stevia to sweeten drinks.
Plain , filtered water is your best friend!


EYE BATH
I don't use Optrex, Too expensive and unnecessary. I make my own eye-bath using boiled filtered water mixed with a little Sea Salt. Let it Cool First (Obviously). I use a desert spoon that fits my eye-socket and bathe my eye(s), (I found those Optrex eyebaths are a stupid shape anyway).


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Avatar universal
Help me
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Avatar universal
Same as you, I'm amazed at how many have the same problem! I'd already been diagnosed with dry eyes at the eye hospital two years before this problem and assuming it's the same problem worsened I've just started on drops prescribed by my gp. Four times a day for one lot, then a gel type one at bedtime. I'm starting to feel a difference so hope it continues. Try your pharmacist for suggestions, might be cheaper if you have to pay for medical advice. Good luck!
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Avatar universal
After  reading your eyes problems   I feel   dry eye related problems gets cured by doing  bates  eye exercises.  Start with simple eye ---sun  excercises  for 3 mins with eyes closed   you have to look towards sun at around  11  am  when with no cloudy weather.  Remeber to close your eyes.
Next
steam  your  closed  eyes for one minute  with  a electric   facial  steamer  and immediately cold pack  (cloth in plain water dipped   and kept on eyes closed for 10 mins. )  
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Avatar universal
I am a 75 year old woman and for several months I have had trouble opening my right eye in the morning and just recently it started in my left eye.  I have a condition that no one has mentioned.  I have a pituitary tumor which has recently started to grow.  I know that this tumor can damage the optic nerves and cause blindness if it is allowed to grow too much.  I was concerned that my eyelid problem might be related to the tumor.  I am scheduled to see a "neuro-opthamologist" on November 23, to see if my tumor is causing any damage.  I have a yearly MRI so my neurosurgeon will know if surgery is necessary.  I was worried that the growth of the tumor was causing my eyelid problem but now since I see that so many people have the same thing it probably is not he tumor.
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Avatar universal
I do have pain behind the eyelid, when it is closed, so especially at night.
I have to get up and use Optrex eye wash maybe twice in the night and hope I can get to sleep before it gets dry and gritty again.
Once the eye is open in the morning it is ok!
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1 Comments
Did anybody have eye surgery?Then they had trouble opening eye in morning?
Avatar universal
Do you all have pain that is acute in both eyes that is glued? It takes half hour after lubricating with castor oil eye drops and wetones with antiseptic wash I dare not touch the eye lids gentlly since the seering pain wants me to kill myself
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Avatar universal
My left eye is just like yours. From about 9pm is is gritty and heavy. I struggle to watch TV, but know things feel even worse overnight. It feels as if something is under the eyelid and I cant open the eye. Sometimes I get up at night to use Optrex eye wash, which really helps for a while. This is just to provide enough relief to get back off to sleep, In the morning it is shut fast again. After morning Optrex wash it is ok all day ( unless I take a nap, and that starts it off again )
I am going to GP on Wednesday, so will get referred to hospital for checks. However all this takes so long. I am on call at night as well, so having to wake up and drive is really difficult, when one eye doesn't want to work.
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Avatar universal
It is not just not being able to open the eyes the pain is so severe I want to die. I dread going to sleep. Tried everything seen every eye doctor no help. I get angry at God and cry when I cry tears actually flow!
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Hi, i just read your comment and i have the same symptoms.  i am about your age and the only thing I have had is Reynolds phenomenon (immune system disorder) for 15 years.  I would like to know from you if you have found out anything else about your problems with your eyelid.  I have also had ct scan and it is negative.  
thank you
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Avatar universal
I have the same thing. Left eye, very light sensitive.  Slight headache in left temple. This is the side I sleep on. First doc said no eye infection, second one said small infection.  This is after LASIK in 2004, dry eye, then a tear duct plug for the dry eye plugged the whole thing.  Now. This eye is always wet and crying.  Doing antibiotic ointment 2-3 times per day. The closed eye thing started after I had a cold and cough for almost a month and was taking NyQuil. Thought I had slept too hard on a temperpedic pillow.  I get it if I sleep at all on the right side of my head - not just the temple area.  Decided to increase eye drops and decrease artificial sweeteners.  Comforting, in a way, to find this string of posts.  
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Avatar universal
The feeling of not being alone is awesome.

58 year old female- healthy. Taking meds for typical blood pressure & cholesterol- nothing unusual or concerning . Unrelated (?) Symptoms started a few months ago: red eyes that had me go to clinic to make sure it wasn't pink eye. Diagnosis: allergies. Told to take antihistamine eye drops. Did and stopped when it improved

Shortly after : left eyelid will not open when I wake up. Similar to others- no " gunk"- the eye muscles will not work, but I pry my eyelid open every morning. Diagnosis: dry eye ?? Given eye lid cleanser, drops etc. Not much difference and doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. Frankly getting tired of needing to use drops incessantly.

In the last week- developed pain around my eye/ nose. I've had sinus infections before, but the pain  wasn't in the typical sinus location. Diagnosis- sinusitis.( i've discovered the ethmoid sinus is in that eye/ nose area). Given pseudo-ephedrine decongestant and using Afrin. I noticed that my eye got better, but now that I've stopped Afrin ( you can only use it for 3 days), the difficulty opening my eye has returned

Wonder if the eye issue and sinus issues are related ( many of posts here mention that link).

I never drink soda, drink a lot of water, and check B12 regularly and take supplements ( I was deficient years ago).

The other commonality : I do have chronic neck issues which result in headaches that I've learned how to manage and minimize over the years. Therefore, not uncommon for me to have headaches.

Disheartening that no one has been able to get a clear diagnosis or path forward.
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Avatar universal
Thanks... I have had these episodes over the past few nights. I have used drops to alleviate the dryness. Will do the washing of the eye and massage too.
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Avatar universal
You are doing the right thing by giving up diet ANYTHING.  Look up Aspartame and look at the 3 ingredients.  It is horrible to think we subject our bodies to this without knowing.  And the FDA for approving this crap is down right unbelievable.

Don't stop there, Look up MSG and that is also a horrible item and it is found in our food supply.
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Avatar universal
STOP ASPARTAME & MSG poisoning.  That's what causes this.  look up Aspartame poisoning and see a the symptoms and diseases associated with it.  Drink more water, less diet coke, less sugar-free items.  Anything that says Surgar Free....Run fast and far away.

Diet is the answer.  Keep a log of what you eat and write down what issues you have.  Then, you will see what causes it.  Be proactive with your life.  Most Doctors aren't trained in nutrition.

After that, please look up MSG.  This is just as bad.  And don't believe what the FDA says.  They have be known to lie.

Hope you get better soon.

thanks!
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Avatar universal
I was shocked myself to see all of the left eye people here. I love knowing I'm not alone in weird symptoms like these. It doesn't help my eye but it sure helps my spirit
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Avatar universal
I have had this for about 4 months now every morning in one eye (right), first it was just the lid was heavy in the morning but now it is closed for a few minutes on waking & stays partially closed for a few more minutes once I get it open.
At first I thought it was ptosis but as time goes on I think it is oedema (edema in the US) as I have photographed it in the mornings & can see puffiness around the lid & lower eye.
I too have an issue with thyroid; multi nodal goitre which I have been referred to a surgeon about. There is one large nodule which is visibly noticeable. I noticed the enlarged thyroid shortly after the eye problem started. I also have pins & needles in hands/ feet on wakening, right hand is worst. It also looks a bit puffy. Both eyes water easily if I laugh and water once I get them open in the morning. Vision is blurry until eye open fully as my pupil is obscured by the lid. No redness or matter.
I would advise taking pictures/ video to show Dr as it is too easy for them to dismiss otherwise. Mine was not interested.
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Avatar universal
I would be interested if you get a solution to this as I have had the same problem and it has become worrying.
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Avatar universal
I have read few posts here in this thread and understand that Dr. Has replied for a condition which is just swollen eyelids when you get up in morning and can not open your eye/s. I read this some where else too is good to read for cure which when acted on helped a lot .
Check below link replied by Dr. Stevens is just same as other dr.'s reply in thread above
http://www.justanswer.com/eye-health/27cl2-eyelids-will-not-open-when-waking.html
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Avatar universal
Thank you for posting this Maxwelian. After reading this I stopped drinking diet coke, which I have been addicted to for over 25 years. Not only has my right eye closing stopped in the last 5 days, but so has the dizzy spells and general aches and pains/numbness in my legs and arms that I have had for years..plus a general fogginess...my strong advice to anyone reading this is to try giving up diet soda for a month and see if your symptoms subside....its got to be better than going to the doctors and being put on medication!!! I now only drink black tea, green tea, water and limited coffee (1 cup or less a day)
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Avatar universal
Hi
I have same symptom and thought it was myasthenia gravis but just saw neurology and initial condition diagnosis is problems with peripheral nerves in my face due inflammation. I wake up and my right eye won't open
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Avatar universal
Hi, I am not sure how old these posts are but I have the same thing. Finding it difficult to open my left eye in the morning. Almost feel like I have to push it open. Does anyone know what this is? Please post if you do. Thank you
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