Personal HFS History - Leslie Morris

Hello, my name is Leslie Morris and I’m a 36 years old mother of 2 teenagers, and a homemaker, living in Virginia. I recently found this website after a lengthy search of trying to understand the last 4 years of my life.

July 7, 2001, I was feeling ill. I had been suffering from migraines at the time and thought one was coming on. I felt dizzy and felt twitching in the left corner of my mouth. I had just turned 32 the day before and became frightened that I was having a stroke. My mother called me and I told her that I should go to the hospital. She came right away. By the time I reached the hospital the left side of my face felt like it was in complete spasm. I felt a very strong pull on my mouth. I was admitted and they did all the "appropriate tests". I was hospitalized for 3 nights. When the test results came back negative for a stroke a neurologist sat my very concerned family down and told them that I was faking and was most likely doing so for attention. She recommended that I see a psychiatrist, and released me.

The spasms did not go away. I noticed that I would see an increase after eating, or after climbing stairs or anything strenuous. I went to a psychiatrist as "sentenced" and he contacted a neurologist immediately. He said, "this is NOT psychological". I went to the neurologist and he told me that I was having a migraine, and was prescribed a calcium channel blocker. He told me I should avoid drugs like Imitrex and Excedrin Migraine. This was horrible news for me. Those were the only drugs that offered relief for my head pain. I left feeling very confused. He never offered any advice or therapy for the spasms. The spasms were very disfiguring. I had hoped the migraine medication would help. It didn't seem to improve the situation at all. After two weeks of missed work at my new job, I was fired. There I was, 32, divorced and a single parent. My family and friends were supportive, very supportive but I could tell that my situation was wearing on them as well. Time passed and I attempted to work part time, but found it very difficult. The spasms and the migraines were still very intense. I was in a "new" relationship at the time of my first spasm, and I was beginning to feel unattractive, dependent, and useless. I had never felt that way in my life. I started working with a counselor for depression, and she was mystified by it all. She told me that she felt I had a case for malpractice. I felt very reclusive, and felt the need to live a very sedentary lifestyle, as it seemed higher impact activities made the situation worse.

Months passed. My boyfriend at the time was asked to serve at the Pentagon for the "War on Terror". He left for Virginia and my young daughter and myself packed up our home, and joined him in Virginia, quite the trek from Wisconsin. It was almost a year to the date of my first spasm. I had gained 30 lbs. and was a depressed mess. I had hoped the new surroundings would help. I contacted the National Headache Foundation within a few months of the move. After several conversations with them they helped me understand the world of migraines a lot better. It was with their help that I realized that I have a sensitivity/allergy to dairy, and certain chemicals. By eliminating those foods I greatly reduced my migraines. However, I was not always spasm free. High impact activity, illness, or great fatigue could still bring them on. I thought maybe, I possibly ate something I was sensitive to, or was around some other allergen. I started to feel better, and was not having the same amount of intensity or frequency with the spasms. I thought....."Eureka!" However..... something still was not adding up to me. I saw a neurologist this year, and he put me on Topomax. I had to quit it after only a few weeks as I developed a kidney stone and "drug" fever.

It has been almost 4 years to the date now. My chiropractor told me that it has to be related to a facial nerve, and that I should seek a second opinion. I began researching on the Internet and found the Hemifacial Spasm Association (HFSA) website ..... and for the FIRST time in four years..... It ALL makes sense. Right now after reading so many testimonies..... surgery seems like the best option. I'm sure I am NOT alone when I say that it seems so extreme for something non-life threatening.

My friends and family truly don't understand. I do feel alone with this. I feel that I finally have something to take to a doctor now. I at least want a MRI done again to rule out anything. I know that most neurosurgeons need that report before a consultation. I am not interested in Botox treatments. My problem is in the lower portion of my face and neck. From everything I have read it seems less effective for that area, and it can make the results of a MVD procedure less effective.

Currently my spasms are intermittent. Anything that increases my heart rate will and can set it off. I can go days without a twitch, but sometimes they can be so intense my neck feels locked, my ear feels full and I can't talk or swallow. Something else I've noticed since these episodes. I can not check my left ear for a fever, the doctor's office has to use my right. This whole thing is very strange, very frustrating. My biggest concern right now is I would like to get a job again but just don't know how this will be manageable.

It was a blessing to find you!

Thank you for listening,

Permission granted the HFSA to post Personal HFS History on website.
Leslie Morris, July 18, 2005

 

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