Hemifacial spasms

[snootynan]

does anyone have or know anyone that has hemifacial spasms?  i need to know what they did for them, how long they had them, etc.  i've had them for two years now.  or does anyone know of a really good website on this topic?  thank you in advance.

[Tamara1313]

Hi~ I know exactly what you'r going through! I had them for 32 years. They will spread throughout your face if you let it go. Seizure drugs and tranqs are useless, don't bother. Botox will not only paralyze and weeken the muscle, but will disfigure your face and you will have to have it done ever  6-8 weeks depending on severity of your case. Shots are very painful. I had them before Botox was approved by the FDA and after for another 9 years. The only answer is to seek a neurosurgeon and have  MVD (Microvascular Decompression) Surgery. A small area of skull is removed behind the ear and later replaced with a metal mesh to close. The surgeon literally moves the blood vessel(s) away from the nerves, pads them, glues them in place, and you are free from the twitching forever!!!  My case was very rare as I had vessels looping deep within my brain stem. You should have an MRI and find out exactly what blood vessels are hitting your facial nerves. The surgery is fairly common these days. You stay one or two nights in the hospital and home from work 6 weeks. It heals very quickly. Most people don't have any problems afterward.  Feel free to contact me with any questions. Good Luck!

[NattyJane28]

I have had four episodes over the past five years that last about 2-3 months each... I have gone to two different neurologist that both say botox is the best treatment... but I am not ready for that myself... I would like to try an alternative... medications I have tried is a seizure medication & now a nerve blocker... the seizure med did not work =( I am trusting God to get me thru this!

[ssa913]

I have had a hemifacial spasm for over 8 months though I am only 21 years of age. I am concerned that this may be due to a more serious illness such as MS or ALS - but if MS has damaged by cranial nerve, would it not be expected to have been repaired or somewhat fixed over the 8 months? I've also had other symptoms such as body spasms and tingling feelings recently. MRI showed negative but this was done 2 months of having the hemifacial spasm. Very concerned!

[dr_simran]

Hello Dear,
Hemifacial spasms are characterized by chronic twitching or spasms of one side of the face. It affects muscles activated by the facial nerve. Hemifacial spasm can result from stimulation by a blood vessel lying too close to the nerve or may follow Bell's palsy (an inflammation of the facial nerve resulting in temporary facial weakness) due to incorrect regeneration of the facial nerve.

In more severe cases, the spasms may cause the mouth to become clamped shut. This can make speaking, eating, and swallowing difficult.


There are three accepted treatments for hemifacial spasms. They are the neurological approach, the surgical approach, and the use of Botulinum toxin injections
You should consult a neurologist and get the evaluation done.
Refer http://www.steen-hall.com/meige.html
Best

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

There are three modalities of treatment. First is neurological which includes biofeedback, diazepam, lithium etc.
Second is surgical approach which includes positioning the blood vessel and nerve and lastly botulinum toxin.

You can go to the links below they have information about hemifacial spasms that may be of use to you:
http://www.visionchannel.net/hemifacialspasm/index.shtml
http://www.steen-hall.com/meige.html

Let me know if you need any more information. Take care!