Head

Hi, I'm hoping you will be able to offer some advice on my condition.
The first is a problem with the left side of my face i've had it for about 4 years now, which started when i was 21.It's quite difficult to describe the exact sensation but  It feels like it's twitching, distorting and like i've just been hit.
It's not there all of the time, i'd say 60%, but it's one of those problems you can't get out of your mind.
It seems to get worse when i'm talking to people, which is very off putting and greatly affects all areas of communication - so i avoid certain situations. This has led me to believe it may be psychological (It also seemed to start when my blushing problem finished) but this seems unlikely as i am a confident person. Also why then would it be concentrated on one side of my face? It also worsens when i am under stress, and experiencing strong emotions.
(If i pull down with my jaw and tense the face muscles the area about 1cm to the side of my left nostril seems painful.)
I also get terrible headaches which i have had for about 5 years. They started off as a pressure type of headache and these still come and go. But they got worse and worse. It's very hard to describe the sensation as it's not a pain. Just a horrible feeling many times worse than pain - it can come on at any time. Thankfully it's not with me all of the time, but when it hits in full power it's totally draining leaving me depressed, and very scared.
I've been to see my doctor who seems to have no real interset other than trying to fill me with pills and to relax - (if i accept it it will go away - some of the advice i recieved).
The following information may offer a few answers to help with the above:
I do suffer from anxiety and nervousness and have done since i was a small child, so i always had lots of weird nervous habits (blinking, foot tapping, nail biting)
I have had insomnia since i was about 5, always waking many times when i sleep, and sleeping ridiculously lightly. (occasionally i wake up ghasping for breath - i also wear a mouth guard).
I have a lack of energy and sex drive. Which is strange as i was always hyperactive when i was younger.
Feel dizzy quite often, especially when bending down.
Have a very stiff/tense neck - physio is despairing.
My body also has jerking movements when i seem to relax - mainly with the right shoulder.
I'd say i'm a happy person, but suffer from moods of sadness/despair - etc.
I have been to see many different practitioners, all who have drawn a blank as to what the problem is e.g.: Psychotherapist, Cognitive behavioural therapist, Hypnotherapist, Osteopath, GP, Ayurvedic doctor, Physio, Acupuncture, Dental surgeon, massage, and many other weird healing practitioners.
What seems to make the whole thing worse is the fact no-one knows what i'm talking about, so any advice or answers you can offer would be gratefully received.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

Before attributing everything to psyche problems like anxiety or nervousness, consider seeing a neurologist (didn't see that mentioned in your list of practitioners) for a formal examination. If the facial twitching/pulling is visible, it could represent what's called hemifacial spasms. Other possibilities include myokymia (a fancy word for a special kind of twitching) or abnormal pulling called dystonia. These can occur on one side of the face and can be evaluated with MRI and EMG of the facial muscles. Finally it could be a facial tic.

As for the headache, a neurologist can also help you there. If it's a migraine that occurs more than 2-3x month consider preventive medication. FOr abortive therapy there's many agents that can take away a headache within minutes to an hour such as the triptans like zomig for instance. If it's tension headache consider motrin or other NSAIDs.

Good luck.

[dianabell]

I also have the same facial problems and alot of the other symptoms that you are experiencing, such as the jerking movements. My symptoms started when I sustained an injury to my cervical 5-6 disc, thoracic 7 disc, and rotator cuff impingement. I have discussed this with my doctor's which don't seem to have a clue. I have been on many different drugs and therapy which both temporary and inadequate. The only opinion I have recieved as to what this could be is from one of my therapists, who said it sounded like a cervical plexus injury. So it's back to my neurologist for his expert opinion. Well let you know if I have any luck.

[Ianna]

Hi,

The aspartame in light-drinks can cause many weird symptoms.
And it is not only the light-drinks.
Aspartame is used in a lot of food.
Check this site: www.dorway.com.
Look for 'the 92 symptoms of aspartame-poisening, it's horrible.

All the best,  ***RIA***