Personal HFS History - Wendy Birnbaum
I have no idea how long ago my symptoms started. For several years I had left eye twitches and a funny vibrating noise in my left ear which was not continuous. I paid no attention to any of it, occasionally going in for Botox® injections around the eye from various plastic surgeons.
Starting around September 2007, I noticed that my left eye would partially shut whenever I smiled big or chewed hard. At this time I also felt some muscles on the left side of my face would “tighten up” for a few seconds. This was attributed to “nerves” as my father died on September 4, 2007 and the two weeks prior to his death were very stressful for me.
A few weeks later I saw my primary care physician who told me there could be several causes. She switched some of my blood pressure medications around, gave me Clonazepam, and suggested I see a neurologist.
The neurologist ordered a MRI of the brain. When I saw him for results, he told me it was normal and that I have HFS. He gave me 2 options, Botox® or MVD surgery. I chose to try Botox® first. He injected 30 units, much more than previous eye injections, and he did the chin and lip also. He also injected the other side to balance symmetry. This was done on December 16, 2007. Within 1 week I knew I was unhappy with the results. I had a lopsided smile and my eye STILL partially shut when I smiled big or chewed. I decided on MVD and wanted it ASAP!!!
I had my MVD surgery on March 12, 2008 with Dr. John Alksne, University of California at San Diego Medical Center, La Jolla, CA (USA) and am now "SPASM FREE"!
Permission granted the HFSA to post Personal HFS History on website.
Wendy Birnbaum, March 30, 2008
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