Personal HFS History - Bodh Raj Mehra
I would like to post my personal history pertaining to HFS affliction. It may be useful to others while I can also benefit from the experience of other members.
I am a 60 year old male, living in Mumbai, India and have my own manufacturing business. In February 2003 I went to a dentist for root canal surgery of the last but one molar of the lower jaw on the left side of the face. During the surgery, I was given local anaesthetic injections on the inside of the cheek (left side) by the dentist himself. I remember the doctor being very casual while injecting the long needle. Many doctor friends hint at the cranial nerve taking the hit from the injection and getting damaged, but no dentist or neurologist (whom I consulted) accepted this being the cause.
From the next day onward I detected twitching of the left eye. When it persisted for over a month, I consulted a neurosurgeon who diagnosed it as HFS. She suggested Botox treatment (Botox was not so common in India at that time) which I refused. I am averse to MRI (the thought of entering that enclosure is terrifying - perhaps claustrophobia) and Botox injections in the nerves, which have not been proven as 100% successful. I was kept on vitamin pills for nerve nourishment but it did not change anything.
It is now 4 years and I have twitching of the eye and of the entire nerve in the cheek. When it is acute, it leads to closing of the left eye and the face gets pulled to the left side (for very short duration). A little tending with the hand takes care of this problem.
I have been practicing Yoga for over 15 years. I do breathing exercises (Pranayam) for 30 minutes everyday. I also do facial exercises such as squeezing the eyes shut & open, stretching the mouth and eyes wide open while lifting the head about 45degrees. I am supported by my wife who is a Yoga teacher. She gives accupressure & some other treatment which involves selective pressing of certain points on the hand and other parts of the body.
In 4 years the problem has not deteriorated and I find it within manageable limits. I attend social functions (though I tend to forewarn the ladies to ignore my NAUGHTY left eye!).
After reading so much from your site (I joined as a member recently), I have decided not to go in for any medical treatment (Botox, MVD etc.) as nothing has worked successfully for all. I have found that it is better to strengthen our physical system by regular exercise (Yoga is most helpful) and keep this problem under check and live with it gracefully.
Cheerio
Permission granted the HFSA to post Personal HFS History on website.
Bodh Raj Mehra, May 03, 2007
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