Can't open eyelid in the morning

[evny]

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

[skyhag]

Believe it or not...we share similar symptoms.  Mine began with tightness in my head, ear pressure, and difficulty opening my eye upon wakening.  I described it as feeling like I had Botox to paralyze the muscles.  In fact, I also found it difficult to raise my eyebrows.  That symptom finally resolved itself.  Now I am faced with internal trembling, muscle twitching, and severe fatigue.  My neuro said my clinical evaluation - normal.  MRI w/wo contrast - normal.  He said that the tension in my neck could cause these symptoms.  I'm not totally convinced about that.  I will be anxious to know what you find out since our symptoms mimic one another.  I am 52 years old and hope that it is nothing more than a hormone or thyroid issue.  Best wishes to you from someone who understands!

[DEE IN FLORIDA]

I am a 35 year old mother I have had migraines since I was a teenager about 5 weeks ago I got a migraine so bad I had lost vision in my left eye had difficulty opening it and had numbness in left arm went to nuerologist have had cat scans neck exrays due to stiff neck also with this and went threw a series of brain mris.mras,mrvs with and without contrast they know have me on medicine called topamax for the migraines witch I have read that is also used for seizuires and have me on a med called maxalt for migraines instead of what I have been on for years but said all my test are normal I still have lite to moderate pressure over my left eye my vision is back and migraine has subsided but I would like further answers not getting any??? I still have light sensitivity its like living in a cave at my house and I can't drive at night the eye doctor did a eye exam said my eyes where 20/20 great I was good to go haha..

[Nonnie1158]

Thank you for posting your comments.  I thought I was going crazy with the same symptoms as you. I am currently being treated for a sinus infection.  It is actually my 3rd sinus infection this year and I am wondering if this is related.  I too have the neck discomfort, a lightheaded feeling and what I call fog brain.  I had stage 1 breast cancer last year and I attribute all of my problems now to the chemo.  I will check this site in a few days to see if anyone else suffers the same problems.  Thank you again!!!

[cinderbear]

I have maglignant follicular thyroid cancer which I believe to be under control.  However, in January, 2008, I woke up and could not open my right eye.  I also felt dizzy but finally made it to the bathroom.  Since that time, waking up in the middle of the night, my right eye will not open, then two weeks ago, my left eye would not open and my right eye was okay.  This week the worst happened, both eyes would not open.  I was/am petrified.  I have discussed this with 3 eye doctors, 2 of which are specialists and my own nurse practitioner - not one of these doctors have offered any answer and I do not know where to turn.  I am 67 years old.  NP said it is not a sinus problem nor do I have any virus.  I had a CAT scan a year ago, nothing showed up.

[MrsAristotle]

I have the exact same thing as you. It comes more in the summer when i am hot and my eyes are hot and dry and tired.

I am being investigated at the moment for either lupus or MS. It is quite a freaky thing when you wake up and your eye is shut, and mostly I have to force it open again, its almost like the muscles have stopped working.  I mentioned it to my GP and she just said it was all to do with my illness.

What is BFS?

[Sammie4258]

I was very interested in your post. I have had the same symptoms after my chemo. In fact, the swelling in my sinuses had more than doubled.  I had to go on a steroid.  It took two ct scans to figure this out;  It was so painful that  I couldnt even be around family.  I thought I was going to die literally.  Since then, I have had constant sinus infections. I understand this is common for chemo only my case was a bit different.  
Itoo. had neck discomfort and all the other symptoms you described.  
good ole chemo.

[onm82]

I have very similar problems in that I can't open my eyelids after a deep sleep.  Often, I have to physically open them with my fingers.  Does anyone have any recommendations?  I'm relieved to find others with the same problem.  

[1didi1]

It has started happening to me also, in the morning i cannot open my left eye, and i have to pull it open with my fingers, I have had past symptons of eye infections in the last few months, which have died down, but now this is startomg again, i dont know much about it but i am going to a doctor to see when they say, i havnt had any cancer or any simptons other people have posted about seeing as i am only 14 years old, i will post again after i have been to see a GP.

[Trq]

i have similar problem few days back, Eye doctor prescribe ointment and drop for infection in eye. still i am feeling discomfort in the morning time.

[Suzieg]

Hi, I've been having the same problem.  When I wake up from a deep sleep or early morning can't open my eyes.
I've seen the eye specialist and she can't detect anything abnormal.  It's the scarriest feeling.  I have to open them with my fingers and still my vision seems not focused.  It happened again last night.  I am 50 years old and have a brain injury 7 years ago caused by a chiropractor.  I'm wondering if it has anything to do with that.  
I thought I was the only one...

[olol]

In searching the internet, Mayo CLinic lists this as a symptom in a condition called myasthenia gravis.

[smithsatthelake]

Two months ago, my left eye became more and more difficult to open in the morning. Now neither eye will open until a good 2 minutes of massage. They are starting to close during the day now too. To help with the problem solving here, I have MS and am going to ask my neurologist to have the test for myasthenia gravis.  No one knows for sure. I'm as scared and frustrated as all of you.

[caregiver222]

There are several reasons that an eyelid won't open that are quite serious. On the other hand simple vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause this problem. It won't hurt to try sublingual B-12 with folic acid (double dose) for a few days. If this is the cause it should clear within two weeks.

[Cath278]

Hi.I read your response to smith and all the others  with great intrest.I have been having the same problem for a few mths now.I have IIH/PTC,diagnoised a yr ago.Recently I had an "episode" where I couldnt speak properly for over 3 hrs. After many tests in the hospital, the drs are divided in their diagnoise.Some say TIA, others  a complicated migraine.I mentioned my eye problem to my neuro when I saw her last week and she just said "hmm".
Would you mind sending on the  several reasons to me that you suspect would cause this? I would be most grateful and it would help me in my research. Thanking you, Cath278

[Dr Rajgopal]

Hi,
The condition of eyelid stiffness is known as Blepharitis. The most common causes are- Dryness of the eye, Strained muscles around the eyelids and accumulation of excess oil at the edge of the eyelid. The simplest cleansing process, which is also recommended to clear signs of inflammation, is to wash around the eyes with warm water, then rub the fingers lightly and laterally across the closed eyelids. This removes any accumulated oil on the lid edge, and if practiced regularly blepharitis may never occur. If the symptoms persist, please consult an eye surgeon. The condition may not be related to BFS. Hope this helps you. Take care and regards!

[MikeW2]

I had eyelid stiffness from blepharitis a year ago. I performed the cleansing as above, and used prescribed ointment, and most symptoms disappeared, but the eyelid stiffness didn't go away. I don't think it was coincidence but it was only after taking a daily folic acid tablet, plus liberally sprinkling organic flaxseed on one meal per day that it fully cleared. It returned two weeks ago, months after it had cleared, and I immediately repeated the above, and it has cleared up again.

[hoops50]

Hi Envy,  I am 51 year old female and have had trouble opening my eyes after a sleep for about a year.  I have blepharitis and from everything i have read it would appear this is conected to dry eye symptom.  I will try some of the lubes and drops recommended and will let you no how i go i hope you are going ok

[mzaa]

Dear Dr. While Blepharitis is indeed a possible issue, the majority of writers have said that their muscles are non-cooperative---not necessarily simply stuck from eye gunk. As I understand it also, Blepharitis can be the result of a herpes simplex and long-untreated can lead to blindness in some situations.

I do wonder, however, if there is a chance/risk that some of these writers have symptoms of tinea (as dandruff, athlete's foot, or even warts---linked to herpes). I have a sneaky suspicion, though not much in journals, yet, that there could indeed be a connection--even to affecting immune system and nerve endings with MS-like symptoms. Thoughts?

[Saffronsue]

I have been experiencing a closed eye for a few months now.  No infections or injuries.  Sometimes just lying on my back with my head to the side I can kind of feel it happening then too.  During the night quite often and in the morning and usually just the left eye but sometimes in the right.  Just wondering if you have tried anything that helps or have found out any new information!

[bessie7]

I'm 74, female, in relatively good health. my youngest daughter died tragically five years ago, I've cried a river.....now for the past month after sleeping at night I have to open my eyelids with my fingers in the morning..I went to my opthamalogist he says dry eyes and to use drops but it hasn't gone away yet...I had new carpeting put in just before this problem and I do feel my head is stuffed up in the morning....also I get physical therapy for my neck when there's a flare-up - which hasn't happened this past three months. I'm thinking perhaps there's a connection with the nerves in my neck but also, I never eat meat and perhaps I do have a B 12 deficiency--it's a mystery...I'm okay in the daytime so far but sometimes my eyes do feel heavy

[MG707]

I have myastenia gravis and Sjogren;s Sydrome and it happens to me in both eyes but more in the right. I don't understand why because MG gets better with rest (muscles are restored) so it happening after I've been asleep for 6 or more hours makes no sense. My Nuerologist increased my nightime  dose of mestinon just today. I see what happens, i did have problems with this before and he put me on the time release mestinon but cramps were severe in my legs and feet from it.

[Fanfaron]

Amazing!  I just thought I would 'Google' my symptoms (left eyelid won't open in the a.m. unless I pry it open--after that, it's OK)... and lo and behold all these other fine people have similar symptoms.  There's some comfort in numbers... at least I'm not alone.  I have been taking plenty of Vitamin B12 so I doubt it's that.  MS is in the family, although I haven't been to a doctor in many years.  True, I am under a lot of stress.  I have also had strange symptoms of numbness in my left toes and left-hand pinky finger for about 6 months... but these seem to have subsided.  Have we all gone hypochondriac?  HA  Well, at least the eyelids don't hurt!  Since I can't afford a doctor, I suppose I will continue to self-diagnose.  Blessings to all and keep on looking up!

[Fanfaron]

In addition to my left eyelid not opening in the a.m. unless I pry it open, that eye has also begun to excessively "weep"--and this occurs all day long--and has more than normal thick "gunk" (for lack of a technical term).  
I also was experiencing numbness and occasional stinging in a couple of my toes on my left foot and in my left pinky finger and ring finger that lasted for about 6 months... but this symptom has pretty much disappeared lately... and the the eyelid thing started.  I also have occasional sharp pains in my left temple.  Somebody suggested (on a different numbness forum) that it could be a vitamin B-12 deficiency.  I took vitamin B-12 like crazy for a couple of months but it didn't stop the numbness.  I also kept reading about the possibility of MS.  On the that forum, the range of treatments and procedures were amazing and it did not seem like any of the various types of doctors agreed or honed in on the same diagnosis.  
The truth is still out there!  

[kygotsick]

I have been experiencing the same effect. For a few weeks now I have problems opening my eye, I have to wait about 5 minutes after waking trying every so often to open it until I'm able to force open it (without using my hand). I then get a tingling in the eye and a feeling as if something is in it, it slightly feels dry and all this occurs only in the left eye. I have been taking lots of B-12 and daily vits, so don't that's the problem. I am also troubled with tingling and numbness in my right hand even using it. The hand/fingers tingling has been going on for a longer time, maybe two months now. I have none of the conditions as others have mention and the only neurological family history is Parkinson's disease. It's scary because I don't want to end up forcing my eye to open with my hand, I am only 28 years old. I have recently gone under high amounts of stress (amounts that I have never experience) and wonder if that could be a possible culprit.

I'm wondering for those long term suffers (who posted a year or two ago) if they have had any relief or have been diagnose and presribed something to alleviate the symptoms.

I have had a complete blood test a few months back and was clear of all STDs so Herpes long-term issues is not a possibility for me. Plus, since that test, I have not engage in any sexual activity. MG seems possible but after reading up on it, I kinda doubt it since symtoms are suppose to improve with rest. Also, Blepharitis doesn't seem likely since there is no crusting or other symptoms of the disorder. Any other suggestions, please advise

[denisehar]

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sjorgens Syndrome - dry eyes, blurry
vision, head feels as though it is fogged and difficulty opening my eyes
during the night and am.  I am due to have my tear ducts occluded to help
conserve the fluid.  The eye opening difficulties became a problem about
three years ago and have subsequently returned.  I use eye drop and
gels to keep them lubricated.