The proper course of treatment for one individual may vary from what is appropriate for another individual, due to the actual condition and/or complications of that person. You should always consult your own medical team before proceeding with or deciding upon any course of treatment related to information presented on this website or elsewhere. It is understood that you need to visit with your own healthcare provider in order to reach a diagnosis for treatment.

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Name Location	HFS Side	HFS Start	Botox Used	Botox Still Used	MVD	MVD #	MVD Date	MVD Doctor	Spasm Free
	Botox Comments
Lyn Abraham Inactive Memb. Toronto, Ontario (Canada)	Left	1986	Yes	No	Yes	1	10/01/03	Dr. Amin Kassam Pittsburgh, PA (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: Botox from 1997-2003, 6 years. The first couple of years it was effective, now less and less effective, extremely dry eyes and post injection 10 days of an eye that did not close. I am waiting the nine months for it to wear off before surgery. MVD Comments: Spasm free immediately after surgery. Had a rotten time with the anesthetic, caused extreme vertigo but that is improving daily. Dr. Kassam thought I would not likely have hearing in that ear, but that too is improving significantly. Had Bells Palsy about ten days out, that is all but gone. (Update provided 10/31/03).
Trudy Achenbach Smyrna, DE (USA)	Right	2004	Yes	No	Yes	1	02/07/08	Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA)
	Botox Comments: Seems like the dose was not helping as much. Mouth was drooping-people were noticing. MVD Comments:
Debbie Adams Baltimore, MD (USA)	Left	2000	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: I've only had to have 2 injections since my spasms started. For some pleasant reason, my spasms have gone away twice for 9 months at a time. Unfortunately, they haven't gone away this time. MVD Comments: Scheduled for MVD on 09/03/08 with Dr. Amin Kassam, UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA (USA).
Kathy Adams Rock Hill, SC (USA)	Right	1998	Yes	No	Yes	1	03/03/05	Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: Botox relieved some symptoms, created others. At one time entire side of face was drooped. Click here to see my "Personal HFS History". MVD Comments: Click here to see my "MVD Diary.
Gaurav Agarwal Jamshedpur (India)	Right	2004	Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments: Got Dyspot injection, right side of the face became totally stiff, the affected side, bad medicine.
Peter Alcivar Somersworth, NH (USA)	Right	1998	Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments: I tried Botox once at end of 2001. It was not totally effective at reducing HFS, and gave me a droopy upper lip. The side effects made me decide against trying it again.
Peggy Alcorn Spokane, WA (USA)	Right	1998	Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments: I have had various experiences over 12 years. But lately it is not working so well. I had my last injection 07/31/07. It did not take effect for about a month. My eye was almost closed and the spasm was very active. Since that time it has periods of quiet and then short periods of spasm. MVD Comments: Scheduled for MVD Consultation on 04/14/08 with Dr. Robert Rostomily, Washington University, Seattle, WA (USA).
Sandra Aldrich Richmond, VA (USA)	Left	2000	Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments: It lasted only 3 weeks and left an asymetrical look for quite some time.
Jeffrey Alexander Pukalani, HI (USA)	Left	2003	Yes	No	Yes	1	08/04/04	Dr. Takanori Fukushima Honolulu, HI (USA)	No
	Botox Comments: I used Botox for a few years and it worked fine, but after a few years the effectiveness started to wear down, so I went for MVD. MVD Comments: Wondering if I have blepharospasm. The first MVD they found no vessels or arteries touching the 7th nerve so no decompression was performed.I was spasm free for about 2 years.
Myrna Alzate Inactive Memb. Elmwood Park, NJ (USA)	Left	1994	Yes	No	Yes	2	07/27/06	Dr. Chandranath Sen New York, NY (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: Click here to see my "Personal Botox Experiences". MVD Comments: As of 08/02/06, still pretty weak, lost most of the hearing on the HFS side, but I'm "SPASM FREE"! (MVD #1 with Dr. Michael Schulder on 02/19/04)
Gail Amendt Breton, Alberta (Canada)	Right	2002	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: I have been using botox every three months for two years. It worked well at first. Now it works less well and often with considerable drooping and paralysis of my mouth.
Steve Anderson Madison, WI (USA)	Left	1995	Yes	No	Yes	1	04/11/06	Mr. Wadley Whitechapel, London (United Kingdom)	No
	Botox Comments: Botox made my face look lopsided, especially when smiling. MVD Comments: No change in symptons.
Luly Andrade Inactive Memb. San Diego, CA (USA)	Left	1999	Yes	No	Yes	1	06/04/04	Dr. John Alksne La Jolla, CA (USA)	Yes
	MVD Comments:
Bonnie Anton Billings, MT (USA)	Right	2005	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: Can’t close eye tightly, no spasm; and mouth always frowning plus still have spasms. The first time I had Botox, even after the "frozen" effect wore off after 3 months, the spasms did not return for 18 months. This is not happening this time.
Mary Jo Armstrong Longwood, FL (USA)	Left		Yes	No	No
Marlene Aurit Austin, MN (USA)	Left	2006	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: Update as of 09/02/07 - Just had my 4th round of Botox shots. Each time it is a little different as far as the results - but I have gotten to the point of anxiously awaiting my next shots as they help so much and give me much needed relief. The last time I had 6 shots on my left side. I usually feel results right away lasting about 1 ½ months and reach a leveling off period, then slowly starts to go the other way. The one annoyance is the dry eye, use eye drops for that. My Doctor is with the Mayo Health System and has treated patients with Botox for many years, feel very lucky to have found him.
Recep Avci Bozeman, MT (USA)	Right	2006	Yes	No	Yes	1	12/12/07	Yes	Dr. Amin Kassam Pittsburgh, PA (USA)
	Botox Comments: My first Botox application was at the beginning of 2007. It was partially successful. My eye was under control but my mouth still ticks. I am two months into my first Botox application and I am not satisfied. MVD Comments: Update as of 01/06/08 - Had a rough recovery (mostly feeling miserable), and have had some facial palsy but no spasms, and overall I'm pleased with Dr. Kassam and the surgery.
Jim Bailey Electric City, WA (USA)	Left	1978	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: Began in 1986 by going to Canada. Works quite well. I have injections approximately every 5 months. Click here to see my "Personal HFS History".
Lynda Bailey Fairport, NY (USA)	Left	2005	Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments:Second try with Botox with a neurologist this time has left me with a partially frozen eye and blurred vision. Think this is it for Botox.
Brenda Baker Gastonia, NC (USA)	Left	1998	Yes	No	Yes	1	04/07/05	Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA)	Yes
	MVD Comments:
Jan Bakke Inactive Memb. Notodden (Norway)	Left	2004	Yes	No	Yes	1	02/20/06	Dr. Per Kristian Eide Oslo (Norway)
	Botex Comments: First time on 02/23/05
Elsie Balfour Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Canada)	Right	1996	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: Mixed results.
Robert Banathy Canton, GA (USA)	Left	2005	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: Botox has been effective in controlling symtoms, with 3 month injection intervals.
Phyllis Barlow Inactive Memb. Cochranville, PA (USA)	Right	1997	Yes	No	Yes	1	09/19/05	Dr. Eric Zager Philadelphia, PA (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: Had first Botox treatment 4 months ago. Stopped the twitching, but lost my smile. The corner of my mouth was paralized for the first 2 months and has not completely come back. Had second round 2 weeks ago, just around my eye not near my mouth. But its still affecting my mouth as far as my smile. The twitching is coming back in the lower part of my face without the botox. The eye is doing okay. I've had a few months of normalcy and seriously considering the MVD as early as I can get it. No more botox. Have learned to many negative things about it. Don't think it will be great for long term. MVD Comments: As of 09/18/06 I haven't had one twitch since I woke up from surgery. It's hard to believe a whole year has gone by. It's so wonderful to have a normal life again. Dr. Zager will forever be my personal hero. If it wasn't for the HFSA, I would never have had the nerve to even approach the idea of surgery. This site and group accomplishes so much for HFS patients every day. All the information I learned and the questions I knew to ask when visiting the surgeon gave me the peace of mind I needed to go through with it. Thank you all so much!!!
Edwin Barreiro Ringwood, NJ (USA)	Left	2000	Yes	No	Yes	1	03/01/04	Dr. Chandranath Sen St.Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, New York, NY (USA).	Yes
	MVD Comments: Loss 40-50% hearing in left ear. Would still recommend MVD even with hearing loss.
Greg Barton Hartsville, TN (USA)	Right	2003	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: Less effective after a couple of years of injections. (maybe 3 months of value now) Eyelid droops and cannot turn the right corner of my mouth upward. Botox is beginning to be less effective (now). Now considering stopping Botox and going for MVD surgery.
Barb Bartz Pretoria (South Africa)	Right	1987	Yes	No	Yes	2	06/22/06	Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA)	No
	Botox Comments: For details, click here to see my "Personal Botox Experiences". Click here to see my "Personal HFS History". MVD Comments: For details, click here to see my "MVD Diary".(MVD #1 also with Dr. Jannetta on 04/01/04)
Patricia Bates Melbourne (Australia)	Right	2006	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: Had 5 injections of Botox around right eye by a specialist on Febuary 25, 2007.
Lucille Beaudin Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada)	Left	1998	Yes	No	Yes	1	05/13/02	Dr. Anthony Kaufmann Winnipeg ,Canada.	Yes
	Botox Comments: Botox injection (twice)above and below the eye, upper cheek.The injection quieted the immediate area, however it worsened the extremities of the left eybrow and upper lip. The lip dooped even worse, the eye and eyebrow stretched upward profusely and the condition was worse than ever in terms of facial looks. The eye teared for approximately 3to 4 weeks. MVD Comments 06/24/02: I have been spasm free since June 1, 2002. (My MVD was on May 14, 2002 and I had small spasms and flutterings just under the eye after surgery.) During the month of June I waited to test the waters in more stressful times and my face remains the same; very peaceful and quiet. I'm thankful every day to Dr. Kaufman and to all of you for your stories which guided me throughout tough times. I made the decision under much thought but I couldn't have followed through with surgery without all of you. I still experience some headaches.
Janine Bell Maple Ridge, British Columbia (Canada)	Right	1997	Yes	No	Yes	1	07/18/05	Dr. Chris Honey Vancouver, British Columbia, (Canada)	Yes
	Botox Comments: June 14, 2001 (24 units) this worked well except for my eye was stuck open for three months or so. I had more Botox Dec 03, 2001 (11 units) and Dec 17, 2001 (4 units) and again March 15, 2002 (24 units), but these did not seem to work. I just had 12 units Nov 22, 2004 so I am waiting to see if it worked. MVD Comments: Click here to see my "MVD Diary".
Roy Benear Austin, TX (USA)	Left	2001	Yes	No	Yes	1	12/19/07	Dr. Louis Whitworth Dallas, TX. (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: At first, some relief, but over time, diminishing results. MVD Comments:
Rita Benitez Miami, FL (USA)	Left	1996	Yes	No	Yes	1	09/16/02	Dr. Albert Rhoton, Jr. Gainesville, FL	No
	Botox Comments: I tried Botox for 5 years, untill I developed immunization. MVD Comments: I had my MVD on September 16, 2002 with Dr. Rhoton at Gainsville, FL. I still have twitches, I am to see Dr. Rhoton for follow up visit the week of October 21, 2002. I do not intend to have another MVD.
Jeannie Berger El Dorado Hills, CA (USA)	Right	1999	Yes	Yes	No
Corena Berkbigler Jackson, MO (USA)	Left	2005	Yes	No	Yes	1	04/17/08	Drs. Peter J. Jannetta & Ray Sekula Pittsburgh, PA (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: Botox dried my eye sockets out and had to use cream, Restasis and liquid tears from my eye specialist. Am off of the cream but still use the Restasis morning and night and the liquid tears whenever I need them. MVD Comments: I got an appointment with Neurosurgeon Scott R Gibbs MD and he explained that he actually only performed 2 MVD and suggested we go to Pittsburgh, PA to Dr. Peter J. Jannetta, M.D. to have this surgery. He even flew to Pittsburgh to view my surgery and 4 others performed by Drs. Peter J. Jannetta & Raymond F. Sekula, JR. that very day. The results were amazing and I awoke “SPASM FREE”. My husband says I look like I did 2 1/2 years ago. My face is not drawn, my left eye is completely open, my mouth is normal and now my lower dentures do fit which I had to stop wearing them.
Iracema Bernardes Lorton, VA (USA)	Right	1999	Yes	No	Yes	1	08/03/06	Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA)	No
	Botox Comments: Got tired of Botox because it made me look like a freak - one side is paralyzed. It's even difficult to drink from a cup. The injections hurt a lot. I haven't done it for 9 months. MVD Comments:
Grete Berndt Shawano, WI (USA)	Left	2000	Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments: Had Botox in 2002. Stopped twitching but made my left side droop especially mouth and chin. Tried again in 2008. Left eye was noticeably more open than right and left lip drooped which made it somewhat difficult to speak and eat. Will not do it again.
Pat Berntsen Lockport, NY (USA)	Right	1988	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: I have been taking Botox shots for a few years. At first they worked well although the side effects are horrible. But now, they stop working sooner. The tics are getting worse.
Wilma Bertling Sebastian, FL (USA)	Left	2004	Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments: One Botox treatment, no improvement.
Jamal Best Brooklyn, NY (USA)	Left		Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments: I do not like botox. I hate needle.
Ginny Bierschenk West Hempstead, NY (USA)	Left	1986	Yes	No	Yes	1	07/12/06	Dr. Chandranath Sen New York, NY (USA)	No
	Botox Comments: Controlled spasms in the beginning. Face became droopy - couldn't smile. After a while was no longer getting any effects (became immuned to the botox after so many years). MVD Comments: As of 08/28/06 - Continuing to have intermittent spasms. Dr. said it may take up to 2 months for MVD to take effect.
Kirby Biggs Garland, TX (USA)	Left	1996	Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments: Do you twitch or does your face look paralyzed.
Rob Bindler Farmingdale, NY (USA)	Left	2000	Yes	No	Yes	1	10/08/07	Dr. Chandranath Sen New York, NY (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: Eye tremor was relieved but terrible sagging and paralysis of the facial muscles (like Bells palsy) on the effected side. MVD Comments: As of 12/20/07 - Sometimes I may get slight incidental spasms while drinking hot beverages or eating, but not frequent.
Daz Bing Nottingham (United Kingdom)	Right	1999	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: Just had first injections April 2006.
Wendy Birnbaum Coronado, CA (USA)	Left	2006	Yes	No	Yes	1	03/12/08	Dr John Alksne La Jolla, CA (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: some relief with facial asymmetry. MVD Comments: Update as of 03/15/08 - Discharged the afternoon of 03/14/08. My husband took me errand/grocery shopping today. Will report on results in a few days as I feel real "spacey "and tired now. Click here to see my "MVD Diary".
Betty Blake Portsmouth, NH (USA)	Right	1998	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: 06/01/05 - Just had first Botox treatment. Right eye won't close completely, dry and at the same time teary, blurred vision and still feeling spasms in cheek and mouth area.
Javier Blake Panama (Panama)	Right	1985	Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments: It worked but it deformed my face while it the Botox wore off.
Jenny Spears Bobb Gaithersburg, MD (USA)	Left	1998	Yes	No	Yes	1	01/24/08	Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: Needs treatment approximately every 6 months, after treatment lazy eye and blurry vision. MVD Comments: Update as of 02/10/08 - I had my MVD 0n 01/24/08 with Drs. Jannetta & Sekula in Pittsburgh and the good news is that I am “SPASM FREE”. During the surgery Dr. Jannetta and Sekula noticed that the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) was damage which is the largest branch of the vertebral and the third main arterial blood supplies for the cerebellum. To correct the problem, the Doctor’s grafted PICA, which I can probably say, is why the dizziness is still present as of today. Also an incision was made in my back to insert a tube that allows the fluid from my brain to drain. I came out the hospital 01/26/08 and saw Drs. Jannetta and Sekula 0n 01/28/08 before traveling back to Maryland. On 02/04/08 my primary care physician removed the staples. After surgery - week 2 the dizziness is still present, sometimes my balance is a bit off but it’s not as bothersome as the dizziness. I am getting concern because my return to work date is 02/19/08.
Brian Bockoven Fort Dodge, IA (USA)	Left	2005	Yes	No	Yes	1	02/15/07	Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: I had shots every three months. The the short term effectiveness was not worth the 4 hour drive,(one way)dry eyes, lopsided face and the pain. MVD Comments: Update as of 03/05/07 - Two weeks and three days after surgery and I am completely spasm free. I did have a few complications during surgery. The anesthesiologists had difficulty inserting the breathing tube (it took them an hour and a half). While they were trying different tools it caused bleeding in the lung and a blood clot in the lung, and eventually the right lobe collapsed - which they took care of at that time. I ended up on a ventilator through the night and stayed an extra day in the intensive care unit. That Saturday, two days following surgery, I was released from the hospital. I spent most of Saturday & Sunday recovering. Had a follow up appointment Monday morning and flew back to Iowa Monday night. Since then I have been experiencing light headaches, until just a few days ago when the headaches became more intense.
Angela Bond Basingstoke, England (United Kingdom)	Right	2006	Yes	Yes	No				Yes
	Botox Comments: 03/05/07 - Only had 2 doses so far but it is making symptoms worse rather than better, making me feel lopsided and conspicuous. Update as of 11/01/07: I am hugely delighted to report that my spasm has disappeared after about 2 years. You cannot believe what a relief it is to have normal interactions again and not to feel that each day is a struggle against the spasms. My remission or reprieve has come about after my family doctor started playing about with my blood pressure medication. After about 2 weeks on Losartan 50mg daily (double the previous dose) I realised that things had improved. It took a while to sink in, but I have now been free of the eye and mouth twitch and pulling down of my right eye for about 6 weeks. I would hesitate to suggest that this drug will work for everyone, but it has worked for me and is possibly worth a try for others? For me the key seems to have been the increase in doseage. I do still have the occasional reminder of the twitch but it is 100 per cent better than it was.
Colleen Boos Calgary, Alberta (Canada),	Left	1998	Yes	No	Yes	2	03/06/07	Dr. Anthony Kaufmann Winnipeg (Canada) Calgary, Alberta (Canada)	Yes
	Botox Comments: After 6 years of botox, I had MVD surgery in Calgary which was not successful, I continued 3 more years on Botox and have found my face has become very sensitive and usually I'm overdosed and disabled for 2-4 weeks every 3 months. MVD Comments: (2nd MVD, 1st on 11/07/03, with Dr. Kish)
Maureen Bourke Melbourne (Australia)	Right	1994	Yes	No	Yes	1	05/31/07	Mr. Peter Dohrmann Melbourne (Australia)	No
	Botox Comments: Was effective but suffered several side effects including black eye, swollen eyelid, inverted eyelid.
Silvia Boyle Lawrence, KS (USA)	Left		Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: So far so good, stopped spasm 90% - had injections 01-03.
Dan Boynton Lincoln, MA (USA)	Left	1998	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: For details, click here to see my "Personal Botox Experiences".
Elaina Brabant Tabernacle, NJ (USA)	Right	1995	Yes	No	Yes	1	06/26/03	Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: I will never use it again. I had severe facial drooping which did not "wear off" in 3 months; at 3 months, however, the spasms returned. At 5 months post Botox, I was diagnosed by a neurologist with permanent nerve damage. More than one year later, my face recovered. Click here to see my "Personal HFS History". MVD Comments: I'm approx. 90% back from the temporary facial weakness, and it's only noticeably to me, the perfectionist, at this time. (12/15/03)
Bryan Bradford Inactive Memb. Garland, TX (USA)	Left	1995	Yes	No	Yes	1	03/07/03	Dr. Jonathon White Dallas, TX (USA)	No
	Botox Comments: Botox injections - left face paralized - unable to smile. MVD Comments: During the MVD, they discovered that the offending artery had grown a "branch" which had fused with the seventh nerve. The branch could not be removed without causing a stroke. They did insert sponges in a couple of places where the offending artery was pushing up against the seventh nerve. I have some relief but far from complete.
Nancy Bradshaw Sammamish, WA (USA)	Left	2002	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: So far Botox has calmed down my spasms. I am hoping that continues.
Joyce Bracey Virginia Beach, VA (USA)	Both	1999	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: Botox worked for some time then I did not see any difference but have kept on getting the shots every 3 months. I still have a hard time swallowing, eating and speaking.
Julia Bravo Glendale, CA (USA)	Right	2007	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: No side effects - first time it did not work as expected.
Gill Breeds Brackell, England (United Kingdom)	Right	1995	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: No longer taking any effect.
Susan Brendemihl McKinney, TX (USA)	Right	1999	Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments: Botox - very effective - but caused drooping of mouth and eye.
Cindy Brockman Hamburg, NY (USA)	Left	2000	Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments: It worked for me. I had some problems with my eye not shutting. Had to use a gel and eye patch. Click here to see my "Personal HFS History".
Sherry Brockman Mechanicsburg, PA (USA)	Right	1994	Yes	No	Yes	1	09/14/98	Dr. Stephen Powers Hershey, PA (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: Botox injections didn't help much. MVD Comments: Having the operation is the best decision I ever made. Recovery takes a while but it is worth it.
Sharon Brott Cincinnati, OH (USA)	Right	1989	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: I can count on anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks of being pretty much spasm free after botox but also look like I have had a stroke if i smile or use any facial muscles.
Allan Brow Toronto, Ontario (Canada)	Left	1999	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments - Botox does help, but with droopiness. MVD Comments: Scheduled for MVD on 05/13/08 with Dr. Anthony Kaufmann, Health Sciences Centre Hosp., Winnipeg (Canada)
Janice Brueggert Sidney, OH (USA)	Left	2003	Yes	No	Yes	1	02/01/07	Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA)
	Botox Comments: 2 botox injections 5-15-05 & 9/14/05-did not like the result-did not have any more. May have eased the spasms, but make the face droop. MVD Comments: Update as of 02/12/06: Not spasms free yet – but getting better!
Carolyn Burks Arlington, TX (USA)	Left	1974	Yes	No	Yes	2	11/18/04	Dr. Robert Grossman Houston,TX (USA)	Yes
	MVD Comments: Update as of 10/22/05: Unfortunately I lost the hearing in the HFS side ear. Dr. Acosta (my neurosurgeon here in Arlington, TX. tells me that he believes most of the weakness on the hfs side will continue to improve. Unhappily, he was clear about the fact that my hearing will not return. He had discussed it all with Dr. Grossman (in Houston, TX (USA). Continue to have a bit of a CSF leak, but that is lessening, we believe. It really has been quite an adventure. I was in the hospital for nine days. Had a pretty bad CSF leak, a lumbar puncture, bladder infection, overwhelming headaches and general discomfort. But, I’m still“SPASM FREE” a year later. I feel wonderful and would do it all again even if I had known these things were going to happen. Iam very lucky and very grateful!!! (MVD #1 with Dr. Acosta on 01/15/79).
Bonnie Burnham Black River Falls, WI (USA)	Left		Yes	No	Yes	2	05/25/06	Dr. David G. Piepgras Rochester,MN (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: Not much help as the main muscle on that side of my face could not be injected, and of course that is the biggest problem. MVD Comments: Update as of 05/25/07: Spasm free but have left side palsy that remains one year post-op. Had a procedure called Tarsoraphy to bring the bottom left eyelid up to prevent anymore injury due to dryness or anything airborne getting into the eye. I can close the eye somewhat, but not tight. To close the left eye I have to close both eyes. I'm very glad to be spasm free but wish I could get to full recovery and get more energy back. For details, click here to see my "MVD Diary".
Shirley Burr Minneapolis, MN (USA)	Right	2001	Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments: Botox injected near the eye. Constant tearing for several days; dryness and aching; couldn't blink eye; double vision.
Russ Buysse South Bend, IN (USA)	Left	2003	Yes	Yes	Yes	1	02/21/06	Dr. Hae-Dong Jho Pittsburgh, PA (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments - No help MVD Comments:
Laurence Cadorath Bournemouth, (United Kingdom)	Left	1994	Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments: First time had no effect. Tried again 6 months later and my left eyelid drooped for 4 weeks. Also my upper lip felt numb which took a long time to wear off. Will not be having any more injections.
Stacy Caldwell (Denlinger) Landisville, PA (USA)	Right	1997	Yes	No	Yes	1	11/17/99	Dr. Amin Kassam Pittsburgh, PA	Yes
	Botox Comments: Miserable experience, not the injections so much as the two weeks after, almost complete paralysis of my eyelids, tearing, bruising. Three months of painful dryness and droopy face. This was a very small dosage. MVD Comments: For details, click here to see my "MVD Diary".
Gwen Cameron Aurora, Ontario (Canada)	Left	1996	Yes	No	Yes	1	02/26/08	Dr. Anthony Kaufmann Winnipeg (Canada)	No
	Botox Comments: It causes my eye to get very dry and sore so I use Natural tears for a couple of weeks after getting the shots. I get 5 around the eye areaand 3 in my lower cheek. MVD Comments: Update as of 03/17/08 – Came out of surgery doing fine. I had my MVD on 03/26 and was released on 03/27/08. It will be 3 weeks tomorrow and I can finally say that I'm starting to get my energy back and on the road to feeling almost normal. I am not spasm free yet but hope to be in a couple of months. I think the spasms aren't happening as often as they were before surgery. I felt really good while in Winnipeg but the first Sunday home I started with terrible headaches, which lasted a week or more. I was taking as many Advil as I was allowed. So far today I've taken one as I find when I first get out of bed my head is a little sore probably from sleeping on the side of the surgery.
Lou Campbell College Station, TX (USA)	Right	1995	Yes	No	Yes	1	06/16/04	Dr. Richard Harper Houston,TX (USA).	Yes
	Botox Comments: Tried Botox one time, had a droppy eye and face for weeks and it affected my vision so I did not try it again. Click here to see my "Personal HFS History". MVD Comments As of 06/27/04: Developed a CSF (cerebrospinal fluid leak) day 7 after my surgery. For those of you who having the surgery in the near future, REST IS ESSENTIAL..... I did not have any of the post op side effects and felt so good that I was over doing it. Dr. Harper put me on complete bed rest for 48 hours exactly one week after surgery. The leak did not stop so he added another 48 hours with the idea of me going back to Houston if the leak didn't stop. After the 3rd day of bed rest BINGO --- it stopped.
Paula Camping Peoria, AZ (USA)	Right	2001	Yes	No	Yes	2	10/16/06	Dr. Robert Spetzler Phoenix, AZ (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: Helps very little,terribly dry eyes & I have some drooping, but it's not real noticeable. I do have a good Dr. that gave me the shots but I am to the point that I no longer want to mask the problem I want to fix it. MVD Comments: (MVD #1 on 06/15/04 also with Dr. Spetzler)
Linda Cannon Mart, TX (USA)	Left	2003	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: Initial Botox injections causing severe drooping of eye to the point of taping it open. Botox works well sometimes and sometimes too well never last longer than two months at the most. Have been getting it put directly in eye lid has the most effect but is unbearably painful, left side of face now droops all the time have some speech and drooling problems Doesn't seem to last long enough to make up for the pain and the cost.
Britt Caple Birmingham, AL (USA)	Right	1999	Yes	Yes	Yes	1	11/21/01	Dr. Swaid Swaid Birmingham, AL (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: Update as of 11/07/07 - In October 2007 I re-started Botox at the eye foundation in Birmingham Alabama. So far I'm very happy with the results this time. Dr. Swede suggested giving Botox another try before opting for another MVD. MVD Comments: Was Spasm Free for 4 years before they returned.
Vickie Capps Albany, IN (USA)	Left	1996	Yes	No	Yes	1	06/10/04	Dr. Mitesh V. Shah Indianapolis, IN (USA).	Yes
	Botox Comments - Botox Comments: For details, click here to see my "Personal Botox Experiences". Click here to see my "Personal HFS History". MVD Comments: As of 06/12/07, I never really noticed when the spasms went away, it was so gradual. It is great not to have a jerky face any more.
Danna Caraway Cordova, AL (USA)	Left	1999	Yes	No	Yes	1	12/05/02	Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: I have had two injections.The first was effective about 5 months and the second about 4 months.I have a deep ache in my eye after the injections and a lot of dryness, but the eye spasms stop.The left side of my mouth pulls at times. MVD Comments: For details, click here to see my "MVD Diary".
Dervil Carey Yonkers, NY (USA)	Right	1999	Yes	No	Yes	1	02/10/06	Dr. John Boockvar Manhattan, NY (USA)	No
	Botox Comments: Stopped spasms but my face still looked distorted. MVD Comments:
Jenny Carmack Burlington, KY (USA)	Left	1998	Yes	No	Yes	1	12/05/05	Dr. George T. Mandybur Cincinnati, OH (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments - Botox shots every 3 months 18 on left side of face and 5 in my left eye all with great results but only last a few weeks and then the beast wakes up mad and makes up for the lost time. It is painful at times as well. MVD Comments: Update as of 09/15/06 - Lost all hearing on my MVD side and still in bed 24 hours a day because of dizziness beyond belief and I vomit all the time. I had success with MVD but came out of surgery permanently deaf on MVD side and dizzy 24-7 and been in bed every day since surgery.
Craig Carr Cape Coral, FL (USA)	Right	2006	Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments - was given BOTOX shots (5 in all, from 2.5 to 5 units) by the nuerologit mentioned above, so I am still feeling the effects. I DO NOT WANT TO DO IT AGAIN. The droopy mouth is not working for me and I can still feel the tightness and spasm, so its strictly to stop the twitching, which is a vanity thing anyway. Well, the droopy smile is no better than the twitching!
Carol Casey St Louis, MO (USA)	Left	2005	Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments: Have had 2 botox treatments, so far, so good, Treatment at Washington University, Barnes Motion Disorder Center, St. Louis, MO (USA).
Chris Cassirer Inactive Memb. Virginia Beach, VA (USA)	Left	1996	Yes	No	Yes	1	11/30/00	Drs. Kassam & Horowitz Pittsburgh, PA	Yes
Pie Castillo Quezon City (Philippines)	Right	1997	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments - Effective but for a moment only.
Patricia Cavalier Sugar Hill, GA (USA)	Left	1998	Yes	No	Yes	1	09/16/04	Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: Botox: very painful, I hated having my face "frozen" and I still have "lumps" from some of the injections....1 year later. MVD Comments: I have suffered high blood pressure for over 20 years. Dr Janetta found the artery touching my facial nerve was also touching the nerve responsible for the high blood pressure. He fixed both. He said I should expect my blood pressure to begin to drop in 3-4 months.
Stefi Celie Breda, Noord-Brabant (Netherlands)	Right		Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: Wears out very quickly.
Fred Centrella Prospect, CT (USA)	Right	2003	Yes	No	Yes	1	07/16/07	Dr. Kenneth Vives New Haven, CT (USA)	No
	Botox Comments: OK at first but became progressively less effective. Also there was an injection miscue twice resulting in more extreme eyelid droop. MVD Comments: Update as of 08/12/07 - Spasms are still occurring but lessening in frequency & intensity.
Joyce Cerneka Arlington, TX (USA)	Left	1988	Yes	No	Yes	3	07/23/98	Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA	Yes
	Botox Comments: Did Botox for over two years; at first had good results, gradually my face got weaker and weaker. In hindsight, I would not have done the Botox. if you do Botox, make sure you have someone very good administering the injections; once I had a doctor who didn't and he temporarily paralyzed my mouth. I feel that Botox has its place in this world, but for me, I was such a severe case that it didn't do any good. Post MVD Conditions - titanium mesh corner turned up, was puncturing skin and had to be rounded off. Had to cut skull, not invasive surgery.
Audrey Charles Los Angeles, CA (USA)	Left	2006	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: On 12/18/06, I was injected with a mild version of Botox at Kaiser Hospital. It did nothing. I got my second round on 04/04/07, this time it was a lot stronger. Some facial muscles are paralyzed as expected but the twitching still goes on. It's now 13 days and the results are not very gratifying. My face is peeling, I have difficulty smiling, I cannot move the chewed food from the left to the right side of the mouth without assistance, and I can’t open my mouth wide to floss the molars or to bite off two slices of bread.
Suresh Chaudhry Missouri City, TX (USA)	Right	1999	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: The effect lasts for 2 months or so, but there is excesive droopiness.
Peter Chen Rochester, MI (USA)	Right	2002	Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments:
Margaret Chin (Singapore)	Left	2001	Yes	No	Yes	1	09/04/07	Dr. John Thomas (Singapore)	Yes
	Botox Comments: good for few months. MVD Comments: Update as of 09/11/07 - Woke up “SPASM FREE” and remain so today. Immdiately after my operation I woke up with double vision which made me panic. But, as the day wore on, the double vision went away. If anyone is looking for a good neurosurgeon in Asia, I highly recommend Dr. Thomas.
Frank Cipollina Rosedale, NY (USA)	Right	1989	Yes	No	Yes	1	08/23/99	Dr. Chandranath Sen New York, NY	Yes
	Botox Comments: After only 4 treatments, spread out 6 months apart, it no longer had the same effect. Decided not to get anymore after treatment of 8/98. Post MVD Conditions - None
Kim Cisecki Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Canada)	Left	2004	Yes	No	Yes	1	09/24/07	Drs. Daryl R. Fourney & Stephen J. Hentschel Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Canada)	Yes
	Botox Comments: Botox worked for a few weeks but left my left upper lip permanently paralyzed. MVD Comments: Update as of 01/04/08: I had dizziness and a full ear for about a month after my surgery but otherwise I was back to normal. I was getting some spasms when I was stressed or very tired. I now consider myself to be 100% spasm free.
Elizabeth Clark Inactive Memb. Independence, MO (USA)	Left	2001	Yes	No	Yes	1	12/13/05	Dr. Jonathan Chilton Kansas City, MO (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: Botox once. Paralized side of mouth. It was effective. Click here to see my "Personal HFS History". MVD Comments: For details, click here to see my "MVD Diary".
Marge Collins Palm Coast, FL (USA)	Right	2000	Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments: After first series of injections, I had drooping eye and mouth. My eye would open when trying to sleep and mouth would drool. After 2 months it began to wear off. I have not used it again.
William Conklin Inactive Memb. Beaufort, TX (USA)	Right	1996	Yes	No	Yes	2	12/01/03	Dr. Sunil Patel Charleston, SC (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: Botox treatments twice in 1996 - spasms stopped, but eye was droopy and would not close completely. Post MVD Conditions - MVD #1 also with Dr. Patel on 04/14/03. Spasms decreased/stopped for about 10 days then returned completely if not worse than before. Significant vertigo for approx. 4 weeks; was given meclazine (sp?) which helped immensely. Vertigo free after 6 weeks. A major staph infection occured at the incision site which took 2 rounds of keflex and 2 rounds of cipro to clear up. Dr. Patel believes that the teflon patch must have slipped or pushed out of place due to the swelling associated with the staph infection. He is confident the 2nd MVD will be successful and will be pro-active and start super antibiotics immediately considering the infection from the 1st MVD.
Karol Conn Highland, IL (USA)	Left	2000	Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments: Worked for a couple of treatments then it was just hit and miss if they worked, then not at all. It has been almost a year since my last injection, I am now just beginning to be able to smile with the left side of my mouth.
Gerry Connolly Inactive Memb. Washington, DC (USA)	Right	1990	Yes	No	Yes	1	04/19/01	Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA)	Yes
	Botox Comments: I started on Botox in 1992. I received injections 3-4 times a year over the next 10 years. The injections were above and below the eye, as well in the eyelid itself. When I started the injections, my doctor, Preston Calvert told me about the work that Dr Jannetta was doing in Pittsburgh. He even gave me reprints of articles written by Dr J. But being a devout coward, I opted for Botox instead of Dr J. If only I had opted for Pittsburgh 10 years ago, I would not have had such a tough time over this decade. The Botox left me with a frozen face for a week or so then loosened up and I got relief for 2 months, then I started to slide back until the rightside of my face was in spasm again. Post MVD Conditions - None
Jamie Coplin Hastings, MI (USA)	Left	2005	Yes	No	No
	Botox Comments: The Botox did little for me. I only did one treatment and decided it was not for me. It left extreme sensitivity to light for several weeks and burning in the eye. It did not help much with the HFS at all and I did not like they way I looked with the Botox. MVD Comments: Scheduled for MVD Consultation on 03/30/06 with Dr. Byron G. Thompson Jr, University of Michigan Hosp., Ann Arbor, MI (USA)
Wanda Covey White Cloud, MI (USA)	Right	2004	Yes	Yes	No
	Botox Comments: Botox eases the spasm, but only lasts 5-6 months. In my case helps a lot because it's driving me crazy. 1st time around whole side could not smile. 2nd around eye. eye droped for about 2wks then on one noticed.going for 3rd in January 2007.
Beverly Cox San Antonio, TX (USA)	Left	1990	Yes	No	Yes	1	06/19/97	Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA	Yes
	Botox Comments: For details, click here to see my "Personal Botox Experiences". Click here to see my "Personal HFS History". Post MVD Conditions - None
Jill Crawford Louisville, KY (USA)	Left	2004	Yes	Yes	Yes	1	11/03/05	Dr. Jonathan Hodes Louiville, KY (USA)	No
	Botox Comments: I tried Botox once it didn't resolve the problem and made me look like I had a stroke; only seemed to last a few weeks and then just minimized the symptoms slightly (see what follows) MVD Comments: Update as of 11/03/07 - It's been two years since my MVD and my spasms have returned but they are not as bad as they were prior to the MVD surgery. Nonetheless, they are still irritating thus I am now receiving Botox injections about every six weeks to keep the spasms minimized. The Botox seems to work for the most part.
Ann Cregan Wyboston, Bedford (United Kingdom)