tired left eye and facial numbness

[Laraj]

I am a 35 year old mother of 4 young children. I have been feeling tired for a number of years now. Approx 3 years ago my left eye had a tic for about 7 months. Shortly after this I started to notice that I was experiencing a different sensation/numbness on the left side of my face. Then I realised that it was only in one eye that I was really tired and that my other eye was fine.

My left eye is constantly tired but cosmetically looks fine ie no drooping/redness. The numbness comes and goes and my tired eye is exaccerbated by lack of sleep and excess alcohol, though I only consume approx 8-10 units a week.

I am sick of being tired in my left eye all the time because it is like having a unilateral hangover daily. Sometimes I feel like stretching the skin tissue around my eye to ease the tightness, and my eye also feels as if there is excess fluid in it yet it never produces abnormal tears. Very occasionally I will get a left sided burning sensation to the left side of my left eye and very occasionally I get left sided headaches. There is also tender tissue around my left ear which I feel when pressure is exerted.

I really hope someone can help me as it is slowly driving me mad. CAT normal. MRI normal. ENT exam and eye exam normal. What next?? My family are sick of listening to me moaning coz they can see no outward signs but inside it feels like hell.

Thanks a mill and I look forward to hearing from someone

[Thirst4knowledge]

Has anyone suggested that you see an ophthalmologist?  I had vision problems, left side numbness, facial numbness, vision problems, a HEADACHE that has persisted for over a year, and etc. After looking over my labs, he sent me to have MRI's and MRA's and with those results, I was referred to a neuro-ophthalmologist who told me that I have an aneurysm.

[karandabest]

Hi, I also have some symptoms like left eye tiring, and slight pain in left side of head. Some times i feel like my "Left Side of Body wants Sleep but not my Right Side", when i close my left eye for a min then it feels more relaxing - and often i have observed such symptoms when i take alcohol or sleeplessness, but i am confused - can you please help me out with the solution.

[sj42]

has anyone mentioned optic neuritis/ms to you ?i've been having very similar symptoms as you describe and that's what i have had diagnosed.

[gbboy]

Since you are going along the vitamin mineral def. line of thinking ... rule out the organic vitamins such as b12. Def in it causes tiredness, numbness ..... it is an easy blood test and so is the test to see if you have pernicious anemia that is causing the b12 def if there is one. Alcohol interfers with b12 as well as Mg absorption. it is an easy thing to rule out. Good luck and hang in there.

[kris10f]

I think what you are describing sounds to me like Horner's syndrome.  It is caused by inflamation, stretching or damage to the sympathetic nerves that intersect with the optic nerve in your eye. Often it happens in one eys causing it to droop, sometime not as dialated as the other eye and cause sweating and numbness on one side of the face. I would see your doctor and ask about this condition.  Look up the symptoms on the internet and take it to your doctor.  I hope this helps and I hope you are feeling better soon.

[Laraj]

Havnt touched a drop of alcohol in two weeks.My symptoms havn't improved. I am taking a magnesium supplement though in the hope that it will make a difference in time.

I am really interested in hearing from anyone who has my symptoms. I now feel that I have to blink my tired eye to clear my vision. It almost feels like there is too much fluid in it. It also has a stretched -like feel. I really wish it felt like the other eye.

Anyway, look forward to hearing from someone.

Laraj

[star queen]

I am glad you have made a positive decision in your life.  Keep up the great work. Alcohol, aspartane, Splenda, Olestra oils, and caffeine will bind to various vitamins and minerals, proteins, and sugars and carry them out of the body robbing you of important nutrition. Taking vitamins, etc. doesn't help the body because they won't absorb for use. Aspartane and Splenda are the immitation sugars in sodas, cakes, and diet foods.  Both are chemicals that wreak havoc on the body, but also increase hunger.  Have you ever been able to drink a diet soda without eating something with or shortly afterward?  They also make you "feel good" for a short time, then you have a low level depression.  Couple that with the hunger and there you go.  Olestra is a "fake" oil in WOW chips and other foods that doesn't allow fat to be absorbed.  In fact it binds with all fats, carbs, and other vitamins and minerals in the gut not allowing them to absorb either.  Eaten in high amounts it will cause rectal leakage.  Caffeine will give you energy, but in women can often be a cause of UTI, ovarian cysts, and increases risk of developing uterine fibroids.

[Laraj]

I bought a magnesium supplement yesterday which I have started to take and I have also made a decision to cut out the alcohol completely just to see if it makes a difference.

I am prepared to do anything to free myself from these symptoms so im hoping I can inform you of positive improvements at the end of the month. Thanks again for your advice and I really and truly hope it makes a difference.

Regards Laraj

[Laraj]

Thanks for your comments.

I do take a multi complex b vitamin with magnesium in it. Do you think I should take a separate dose of magnesium aswell?

In relation to the alcohol, I only go out once a week with my husband and we have a few social drinks. I wasnt aware that I was drinking too much. Some weeks I have 3/4units and other weeks I have 8-10. I find my symptoms are exaccerbated by alcohol but I experience them everyday and I only drink once a week. My symptoms are also exaggerated with tiredness.

I probably should say that otherwise I am extremely healthy. I play competition badminton and jog/walk 4 times a week

Anyway, with 4 kids I find it hard to drink anymore than my limit as I have to get up the next day and care for them. I wouldnt imagine I am drinking too much but I am interested to hear your comments, thanks.

[star queen]

First you need to get rid of the alcohol.  You are drinking far too much. 8-10"units" and having hangovers are a sign of impending alcoholism. If you must drink alcohol, restrict it to 1-3 small drinks or beers each week, not on the same day, but spread out during the week.  None would be better for the body. Anyway: facial tics, poor sleep, vivid dreams, chest tightness without cause, muscle spasms in the hands and feet, apathy, and impatience are often caused by a lack of Magnesium in the diet. Alcohol robs the body of magnesium by attaching to the magnesium molecule in the gut and magnesium will not absorb into the body.  You can purchase magnesium either in a capsule form or in a powder form. Do not consume milk within about 2 hours of taking Magnesium.  To know how much you need, take it at increasing doses until you experience loose stools, then reduce the dosage until your stools are just soft.  Keep that as your daily dosage.  Magnesium has about 300 functions in the body.  When you first take it you might experience feeling "funny" as the body gets used to having magnesium again, but in a couple of days you will feel better, have more energy and sleep better.