What were your first symptoms of a hemifacial spasm?

As you may already know, this could be a very mild case of Bell’s Palsy, a virus which can arrive and just as mysteriously disappear (“on and off”) for no apparent reason.

Anyway, best wishes regarding you doctor visit. Time allowing, please let us know how you are doing….

It could also be a stress/anxiety reaction. Are you under a lot of stress?

I would ask the doctor, when you visit, if Botox might provide relief from the symptoms, anyway. That is, a very small and focused dose to “kill” the muscle that causes the twitch. Since it’s not your eyelid – which should not be interfered with – but below the eye, that should not cause a problem with proper function and normal closing of your eyelid. (It might be harder to squint, which is also a normal response to bright light, so that should all be discussed.)

But this might be worth exploring, only as a relief from symptoms. It won’t “cure” whatever is causing the twitch.

I never thought of Bell’s palsy? Could it really be that? I’m under huge stress, always am, I suffer from anxiety, but 1 month seems a long time!!

My mom and brother had Bell’s palsy. They were both told it could last a few weeks, a year, or even longer. Let us know what your doctor says. Mom’s lasted a three months, my brother had a very mild case and it only lasted a few weeks.
Good luck.

I just phoned hte optometrist and his main concern was shingles… which makes sense given the sensitive side of my face… shingles cause eye twitch for 4 weeks!

On your last Q about this I didn’t understand it’s constant.

Let us know what the doctor says.

I just went to the DR and she said ‘I don’t know, 90% of the time it’s nothing’
She gave me some zinc tablets and said ‘sometimes it happens’ – when I asked about parkinson or MS she just laughed and said ‘don’t worry about that – or a brain tumor’ – I think it’s shingles actually – I“m starting to get nerve pain in my face.
Rather that than HS to be honest…... but yep I“m so over it everyone!!!!!

I“m going back to Optometrist tomorrow to see if they can see anything now that it feels differe,t and it feels as though I have something stuck in my eye.

Maybe it’s somatic?

I also have nerve pain down my legs as well – not my month.
Can’t wait for it to leave….

I get shingles on my face, and I have symptoms that come and go even when I am not in the messy of an outbreak, and never have had an eye twitch with it. Is that a symptom you’ve read about related to shingles?

Oh you do?! Isn’t it annoying!
No I haven’t read it’s a symptom but if I’m rundown enough to feel that nerve pain maybe the twitching eye (which is still going) is caused by stress? I’m just trying to make some sense of it. The eye doctor (I went back yesterday) said its mykomia? And potentially chronic. He didn’t really say what to do though….

If it’s simply an eye twitch with nothing obvious causing it, them most doctors will just tell you to give it time probably.

Isn’t shingles annoying? Do you get shingles? It’s more than annoying on your face, it’s scary.

Hey @JLeslie yeah there is nothing else and after 4 or 5 weeks it’s not changing but it’s constant now- almost all the time, I’m so confused. The Optometrist had a good look at my eye yesterday and said it’s just a muscle twich plus he saw it twitching as well but why is it so constant?

The singles pain has gone today so maybe it’s just neuralgia?
I“m thinking maybe it’s a neurological thing but the optometrist has said there is no reason to see a neurologist as he thinks it’s fine and i just have to ignore it until it passes.
I’m so frustrated.

Wait, do you know for sure you get shingles? Or, are you guessing? Pain in the nerve from shingles is neuralgia. I’m pretty sure any nerve pain is neuralgia. It’s a catch all term.

I’m guessing at @jleslie, I’ve had shingles once before and it was on my neck but had face nerve pain, I’m trying tonic water now!

You had shingles on your neck and didn’t get it diagnosed?

I did @JLeslie – I went to the DR’s, it was very small patch but it was shingles.
I just mean when I get Neuralgia pain and I go to the Dr’s they never know what is going on – they just say ‘oh I don’t know take some anti virals’ – much like this eye twitch, they actually have no idea and are dismissive.

Right. A lot of the time there isn’t much to do.

It’s actually better if I drink tonic water…. it’s still flickering but the muscle twitch is weaker.
I’m on the computer all the time .. and often times by the end of hte day my eyes are blurry.
I think it’s years of anxiety causing weakness in parts of my body!

Did they test your eyesight?

Yes he said I could use glasses if I wanted them – a very mild prescription but there was eye strain.
Going in to get some tomorrow – that could be it you think?
I’m starting to get very paranoid about it now and thinking of going to see a neurologist – just pay for private… I don’t think this is normal!

I think you should try the glasses. I don’t know if that’s it, but sounds like it’s worth a try since you need them anyway by your description.

Have your blood tests shown low vitamin D, or B12, or magnesium? I’d get on top of that if they do. Make sure you are getting the numbers way up into the normal range.

Also, the caffeine. You didn’t answer if you drink caffeine, you only said you don’t drink coffee.

Also, do you take any drugs? Any new drugs you started around the time the twitch started? I’m sure the doctor must have asked you that. Everything counts! Even Tylenol would count.

I’d try all those things that are easily done, before jumping to more serious conclusions. That’s what I would do for myself based on what you have told me, it’s not medical advice.

The constant, relenting, twitch is odd though. I can understand why it bothers you so.

Did this eye guy mention whether glasses might also help your lip, which twitches in the middle ??

Lips not really twitching – eye has gotten better today… still twitching but only about 10 times, not 100!

See that ?.....You will find that most people on Fluther will gladly guide you out of peril, whether it is real, or only imagined.. And you will never be invoiced…..(I’m pretty sure).

People here will help one another, even when they don’t necessarily like each other.

Earlier this year, I was sure that I’d contracted polio. Then a few people on this site assured me that polio was pretty much eradicated 60 years ago.

Then…..I didn’t have polio anymore….

If you only need glasses to read do not get a prescription that could cost in the hundreds. Get a pair of reading glasses from a drug store for about 10.00. Try them on until you find a pair that works for you.

Note: I can’t use drug store glasses for any length of time, because I have an astigmatism. My husband can use them no problem, although one eye ideally needs a little more strength than the other. I use drug store in a quick pinch when there is something unexpected and I don’t have my glasses with me. My eyes still are pretty good, so I don’t carry my glasses with me usually.

We have seen progressives in the drug store. That’s pretty cool.

Twitching is way less today!!!!! Not gone but iv’e hardly noticed it…........ :)

Great!

But today it’s full on and wont stop, I“ve cried so much today as I’m so bloody over it.
going to the Dr on Monday to demand a visit to a neuro. No way it can last this long and not be neurological.
x

@tan253 Hugs. Let us know how it turns out.

Thanks @chyna – I“m so over it – I know the DR will say no to a neuro as it’s only an eye twitch and nothing else, but rather know that it’s NOT neurological then guess it’s not… aggghhhhh so frustrating.

@tan253: Why do you have to go to the doctor to demand a visit to the neurologist? Is that what your insurance company makes you do?

Thats how it works in NZ and my insurance cover my head!

http://www.neurological.org.nz/resources/ask-dr-simcock/how-do-i-get-appointment-see-neurologist
they won’t see me based on my symptoms!

I thought I’d update… NOT sure if anyone will know to read it as Fluther doesn’t really bump threads, but I went to a neurologist and he basically said – you’re fine it’s just an eye twitch it should leave when it’s ready….. so outcome – 3 months in – still have an eye twitch!
Does it bother me – not now that I’ve exhausted all the possible outcomes and none are likely according to the professionals. So can you have an eye twitch for months and it be benign?!
YES!

Thank you for the update! I’m really glad it’s just an eye twitch. I do hope it goes away soon.