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Suggest Treatment For Quiver In Left Eye
Question: Hello: My husband has a twitch in his left eye for approximately 12 years. We tried everything from medications; to medical botox; even head surgery. Originally, he was diagnosed with "Hemi-facial Spasms". But after 8 hours of head surgery, the Neurologist said that was NOT the case and everything "was clean" in his head. More recently, he went to several ENT's and they found nothing. I asked my husband when did the twitching start ..... And, he replied "with a clicking in his ear". He told this to the last ENT. The ENT told my husband it was a nervous condition ....? Presently, (for 2 months now) he has a slight "head buzzing". He went to our PC today, and he took blood for blood work. What type of "Specialist" should I look for when making appointments for him? Any suggestions what might be causing his problems? He feels SOMEONE out there should be able to diagnose his problem. I TRULY APPRECIATE any help in this matter. Thank you. Also, we live in the XXXXXXX area of Florida.
Brief Answer:
Continue with neurologist after ENT visit..
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I am sorry for your husband's condition. From what you describe he is suffering from blepharospams for the last 12 years. This blepharospasms doesn't seem to be related to the latest "head buzzing". Most common causes of head buzzing are treated by ENT surgeons. So in my opinion he should first report back to the ENT. Sequence of tests including physical examination, cardiovascular evaluation and audiometry tests.
As far as blepharospams are concerned, botox shots are gold standard treatment. However it has failed to provide adequate results. I am not sure what type of surgery was performed - you did not name that. Myectomy (where some muscle fibres of eye lids are excised) is an option. You should discuss about it with your neurologist. Further you may also want to discuss about other oral medications. Few drugs like anticholinergics (trihexyphenidyl / artane); atypical antipsychotics (clozapine); neuroleptic (haloperidol); dopamine agonist (bromocryptine); benzodiazepines; gaba blocker (baclofen); monoamine depletor (tetrabenazine) are listed to be of some help. These are not widely used as the safety and efficacy of treating blepharospams are not well established. Perhaps your neurologist can refer his to higher institutes / research centres where the aforementioned agents can be tried.
I understand he seems to be seriously affected. However the options of promising treatment are few. A few neurologist have also considered deep brain stimulation (something that is used to treat parkinsonism / movement disorders) to treat them. I am sure the neurologist will know about it. Therefore the next stop in my opinion is review with neurologist / visit to higher medical / research institutes.
I am not sure if it's been very helpful. However I did spend considerable time to research and organize this answer.
Take care and good luck!!
Continue with neurologist after ENT visit..
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I am sorry for your husband's condition. From what you describe he is suffering from blepharospams for the last 12 years. This blepharospasms doesn't seem to be related to the latest "head buzzing". Most common causes of head buzzing are treated by ENT surgeons. So in my opinion he should first report back to the ENT. Sequence of tests including physical examination, cardiovascular evaluation and audiometry tests.
As far as blepharospams are concerned, botox shots are gold standard treatment. However it has failed to provide adequate results. I am not sure what type of surgery was performed - you did not name that. Myectomy (where some muscle fibres of eye lids are excised) is an option. You should discuss about it with your neurologist. Further you may also want to discuss about other oral medications. Few drugs like anticholinergics (trihexyphenidyl / artane); atypical antipsychotics (clozapine); neuroleptic (haloperidol); dopamine agonist (bromocryptine); benzodiazepines; gaba blocker (baclofen); monoamine depletor (tetrabenazine) are listed to be of some help. These are not widely used as the safety and efficacy of treating blepharospams are not well established. Perhaps your neurologist can refer his to higher institutes / research centres where the aforementioned agents can be tried.
I understand he seems to be seriously affected. However the options of promising treatment are few. A few neurologist have also considered deep brain stimulation (something that is used to treat parkinsonism / movement disorders) to treat them. I am sure the neurologist will know about it. Therefore the next stop in my opinion is review with neurologist / visit to higher medical / research institutes.
I am not sure if it's been very helpful. However I did spend considerable time to research and organize this answer.
Take care and good luck!!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your quick response. My husband's surgery (10 years ago) was supposed to insert a "tiny sponge" between the nerve and blood vessel. After 8 hours of exploring his head, the Surgeon did not perform this surgery (or any surgeryt). It was not neccessary. NO SURGERY WAS PERFORMED. Bascially, his head was cut opened for no cause. Yes, he was diagnosed with "blepharospasm" by one Neuro. He could not manage the condition with Botox or some of the medication you listed above. My husband wants to try acupuncture. Your thoughts .....?
Thank you for your information on the head buzzing. We will follow-up with the ENT.
Anything else I should know ....
Your help is appreciated.
Thank you for your information on the head buzzing. We will follow-up with the ENT.
Anything else I should know ....
Your help is appreciated.
Brief Answer:
Acupuncture can be tried...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
There are no scientific evidence that these alternative treatment works; however some anecdotal reports claim they are helpful. So he may go ahead and try acupuncture.
Some reports claim this condition is influenced by psychological aspects. Keeping him positive while you try the alternative treatment will be the key for better results. Beside acupuncture, other form of treatment that may help are hypnosis, herbal drugs, chiropractor techniques, etc.
Before I conclude, though my expertise are limited with surgical techniques, I am not sure the description sounds like myectomy. Myectomy is a procedure where muscle involved in the pathology are excised. Therefore with respect to blepharospams, few muscle fibres of eye are excised surgically. Opthalmologist can perform this procedure. You can discuss about this procedure with neurologist during next follow up.
Hope this helped.
Regards
Acupuncture can be tried...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
There are no scientific evidence that these alternative treatment works; however some anecdotal reports claim they are helpful. So he may go ahead and try acupuncture.
Some reports claim this condition is influenced by psychological aspects. Keeping him positive while you try the alternative treatment will be the key for better results. Beside acupuncture, other form of treatment that may help are hypnosis, herbal drugs, chiropractor techniques, etc.
Before I conclude, though my expertise are limited with surgical techniques, I am not sure the description sounds like myectomy. Myectomy is a procedure where muscle involved in the pathology are excised. Therefore with respect to blepharospams, few muscle fibres of eye are excised surgically. Opthalmologist can perform this procedure. You can discuss about this procedure with neurologist during next follow up.
Hope this helped.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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