Eyelid Twitches

[Kald]

I have been experiencing eyelid twitches for almost 4 yrs now.  It started in one eye and now i get them in multiple spots in all 4 lids. All day long, mostly, in the lower bottom where the eyelashes are. It looks like a the twitch is pulling from the corners inward to the middle of the eyelid. I have had a MRI,but only a cyst in my sinuses was found. I am not under much stress and get plenty of sleep. I have been getting botox since getting these spasms and now am not able to because I am pregnant. When i get the botox for my eyes, I tend to get the twitches in my inside of my ears. I have tried vitamins,acupuncture,and chiropractor care with no luck. The twitches are just getting worse. I am at a lost on what to do next and what this could be. I do not get them anywhere else in my body. Once in a great while I will feel it in my lip. Seems to be all confined to my head. Does this sound like an issue with my facial nerve? Some type of nerve damage? I was only 27 when this started and do not recall anything around the time that might have set this off.  Most people I know, including my husband get them, however they go away within a few days. What sets them off for me is anytime pressure is applied to my eyelids. So, anytime i sneeze, blink, or squint from the sun. Sometimes,it seems like they set off with me just laying around. I do not have any issues with my eyelids closing, and i do not blink that often.  One eye dr scared me and told me that I would develop Blepharospasm where my eyes will start to close on me. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

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

First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.

   The symptoms you describe are most consistent with blepharospasm (which is just the technical term for involuntary eye twitches).  Eye twitches can be found in 'normal' people when they encounter stress, lack of sleep etc (also called a nervous tic).  These eye twithces are generally limited to the stressed condition, but can increase the more you think about them.  Treatment is often relaxation and education, and Botox is only used in refractory cases.  

  In people that have mulitple motor tics(eye twitches, touching things, sratching, gestures, etc.) and phonic tics (grunts, clearing the throat, and/or even involuntary words (sometimes curse words)), have a condition called Tourette syndrome.  Although the symptoms that you describe sound more like isolated blepharospasm, the subtle signs of Tourette syndrome are often missed unless examined by an expert in neurologic movement disorders.  It is important because the treatment is different, including Haldol, risperdal, clonidine and even deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery is severe/refractory patients.

  I would recommend that you see a neurologist that specializes in movement disorders.

   I hope this ahs been helpful.

[alchris]

Hi sometimes doctors scare us for no reason try not to worry . Is it a possility the cyst you have in your sinsues is pressing on a facial  nerve and causing that reaction,  it would make sense at least to me.   Best wishes with the baby.....

[AWadd]

I have eyelid twitches, especially in my left upper-eyelid (not not soley there), all the time.  Im really unclear as to what caused it... I sleep alot and I am a pretty healthy person overall.  So far everyone I have spoken to seems to say that eyelid twitches are usually just stress or sleep... but honestly I think it's just more mental.  Try to not blink as much... sometimes mine get worse if I am blinking alot.  Other than that, I hope it gets better!  So far every doctor has been about as helpful as the ones you mentioned.

[Nervous Guy]

I know I'm stating the obvious but are you drinking coffee or getting caffiene from other sources like soda?  What you are describing are classic caffiene symptoms.  It doesnt take much to trigger.  HAve you tried any kind of anti-anxiety med like xanax or ativan?  If the twitches respond to that, chances are you are dealing with some kind of over stimulation rather than a pathology.

[Kald]

Hi Nervous Guy,

I do not consume caffiene and I have never taken any anti-anxiety medication.  I do not believe it is related to aniety for me.  I can be very relaxed, yet the twitches still twitch.  If i open my eyes wide the muscles around my eyes feel very tight and it sets them off twitching away.

[Lutheran122]

I am having this problem constantly , its from nerve damage in my c-spine..I was taking lyrica to reduce nerve ending issues and it worked for quite a while but I slacked off on taking the pills and its back again in full force and makes my life miserable..I am back to taking the lyrica 2 times a day and I hope in a week or 2 it starts to work again like it did before as I can't take this constant twitching.