The proper course of treatment for any individual may vary from what is appropriate for other individuals, 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.
| Name Location |
HFS Side | HFS Start | Botox® Used | Botox® Still Used | MVD | MVD # | MVD Date | MVD Doctor | Spasm Free | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comments or Post MVD Conditions | ||||||||||
| Lyn Abraham Former Memb. Toronto, Ontario (Canada) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Amin Kassam Pittsburgh, PA (USA) |
|
|
| 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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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: For details, click here to see my "MVD Diary. |
||||||||||
| Debbie Adams
Baltimore, MD (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| 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: Was scheduled for MVD on 09/03/08 with Dr. Amin Kassam, UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA (USA), but cancelled surgery since spasms had stopped. |
||||||||||
| John Adams Villa Park, IL (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Kathy Adams
Rock Hill, SC (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA) |
|
|
| 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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Botox Comments: Got Dyspot injection, right side of the face became totally stiff, the affected side, bad medicine. | ||||||||||
| Mohamad Ahmad Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Peter Alcivar
Somersworth, NH (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| 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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| 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). |
||||||||||
| Joey Aldrich Former Memb. McCalla, AL (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA) |
Yes | |
| MVD Comments: I'm "SPASM FREE"! The first 24 hours was not fun, nausea and headache, but it was all but gone on the second day along with my twitch!! For those of you contemplating MVD...I have NO regrets! Best decision I have ever made. For those of you scheduled...The Springhill Suites NorthShore is THE PLACE to stay. Wonderful rooms, great places to walk before and after surgery. Great restaurants with great music. | ||||||||||
| Sandra Aldrich Richmond, VA (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Botox Comments: It lasted only 3 weeks and left an asymetrical look for quite some time. | ||||||||||
| Joseph Aleksandrowicz Tel-aviv (Israel) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Amin Kassam Pittsburgh, PA (USA) |
Yes | |
| MVD Comments: (MVD #1 01/09/06 Ichilov Hospital in, Tel Aviv (Israel)). | ||||||||||
| Jeffrey Alexander Pukalani, HI (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Takanori Fukushima
Honolulu, HI (USA) |
|
|
| 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. |
||||||||||
| Norma Aliah Troy, MI (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Kenneth F. Casey Detroit, MI (USA) |
|
|
| MVD Comments: Update as of 08/23/07 - I woke up after surgery “SPASM FREE” and remained spasm free for the next two days. On day 3 post-op the spasms came back for two days. On day 5 post-op I knew something was different right away, my face started to flutter and just as soon as it had, it was like a switch turned it right off. For the next few days I would just feel a slight pull trying to happen, but only at night time. I have some facial weakness right now with yesterday being the first day that I could actually feel the weakness, compared to just seeing it. I would say that the headaches and strong ear pain have subsided almost completely, I'm now two days medication free. I have numbness on the top of my left ear but around the ear is still painful to the touch. Minor drainage from the incision, my post op appointment is on 08/31/07. I don't know whether my facial weakness will be going uphill or downhill from here, only time will tell. Dr. Casey was wonderful and will respond the same day to our e-mail's. I can't tell you how helpful the member's have been to me prior to my surgery. They answered all my e-mail's and questions as honestly as they could. |
||||||||||
| Monika Almon Savannah, GA (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Rob Alness Delavan, WI (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Amin Kassam Pittsburgh, PA (USA) |
|
|
| MVD Comments: Comments: I would highly recommend Dr. Kassam for anyone considering surgery. | ||||||||||
| Myrna Alzate Inactive Memb. Elmwood Park, NJ (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Chandranath Sen New York, NY (USA) |
|
|
| 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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| 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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Robert J. Dempsey Madison, WI (USA) |
|
|
| Botox Comments: MVD Comments: Nerve had significant indentation (half the width of the nerve. Dr. indicates full recovery after nerve repairs itself could take up to a year. Now, in July 2995, three months since MVD, things seem to be getting slowly better. As of October 2006, 50% improvement only. |
||||||||||
| Luly Andrade Inactive Memb. San Diego, CA (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. John Alksne La Jolla, CA (USA) |
|
|
| MVD Comments: | ||||||||||
| Greg Ansley
Alpharetta, GA (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Steve Anderson Madison, WI (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Wadley Whitechapel, London (United Kingdom) |
|
|
| Botox Comments: Botox made my face look lopsided, especially when smiling. MVD Comments: No change in symptons. |
||||||||||
| Elaina Apatoff Tabernacle, NJ (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA) |
|
|
| 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) |
||||||||||
| Bruce Archibald
Duncan Falls, OH (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Drs. Jannetta and Sekula Pittsburgh, PA (USA) |
|
|
| MVD Comments: Praise the Lord the facial SPASMS ARE GONE. God bless Drs. Jannetta and Sekula for their skill. Click here to see my "MVD Diary. |
||||||||||
| Mary Jo Armstrong Longwood, FL (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Jen Atkinson
Mississauga, Ontario (Canada) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Carole Atsma
Abbotsford, British Columbia (Canada) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Click here to see my "Personal HFS History". |
||||||||||
| Bill Auger
Milford, CT (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Debbie Augey Estevan, Saskatchewan (Canada) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Marlene Aurit Austin, MN (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| 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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes |
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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| 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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| 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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA) |
|
|
| Jan Bakke Inactive Memb. Notodden (Norway) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Per Kristian Eide Oslo (Norway) |
|
|
| Botox Comments: First time on 02/23/05 | ||||||||||
| Rosemarie Balano Zamboanga Sibugay (Philippines) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Elsie Balfour
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Canada) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Botox Comments: Mixed results. | ||||||||||
| Robert Banathy Canton, GA (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Botox Comments: Botox has been effective in controlling symtoms, with 3 month injection intervals. | ||||||||||
| Steve Barone Scottsdale, AZ (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Kris Smith Barrow Neurological, Phoenix, AZ (USA) |
|
|
| MVD Comments: Became "SPASM FREE" 18 months following MVD #2. | ||||||||||
| Edwin Barreiro Ringwood, NJ (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Chandranath Sen
St.Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, New York, NY (USA). |
|
|
| MVD Comments: Loss 40-50% hearing in left ear. Would still recommend MVD even with hearing loss. | ||||||||||
| Ira Barry
Chicago, IL (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Greg Barton Hartsville, TN (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| 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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA) |
|
|
| 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) |
||||||||||
| Bob Basque Houston, TX (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Robert Grossman Houston,TX (USA) |
No | |
| Botox Comments: Botox(R) 40 units every 90 days in several places on the face: reduces the intensity of the spasm to 20% initially for 3-5 weeks then the positive effects diminish to no affect at all by 70 days post injections. Have tried Myloblok only once. Injections were more painful and the positive effects did not last more than 50-60 days vs 70 days with Botox. Had muscle atrophy in the face from Botox but no other side affects at all. I responded to Botox well but am tired of driving one hour each way to have it done and see no end to this merry-go- round. MVD Comments:
|
||||||||||
| Patricia Bates
Melbourne (Australia) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Botox Comments: Had 5 injections of Botox around right eye by a specialist on Febuary 25, 2007. | ||||||||||
| Lucille Beaudin Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Anthony Kaufmann
Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada) |
|
|
| 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. | ||||||||||
| Mary Lou Beck Delray Beach, FL (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Drs. Peter J. Jannetta & Ray Sekula
Pittsburgh, PA (USA) |
|
|
| Botox Comments: First time was effective. the next six times, over the course of two years, had undesirable side effects of some facial paralysis, especially at the left side of my mouth. I had a distorted, one sided smile.
MVD Comments: |
||||||||||
| Misha Beck
St. Louis, MO (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| LuAnne Becker
Jacksonville, FL (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Sherrie Becker
Allentown, PA (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Eric Zager Philadelphia, PA (USA). |
|
|
| MVD Comments: I awoke from my surgery and
continue to be SPASM-FREE!!! For details, click here to see my "MVD Diary. |
||||||||||
| Hazel Bell
West Midlands, England (United Kingdom) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
MVD Comments: For details, click here to see my "MVD Diary". |
||||||||||
| Janine Bell
Maple Ridge, British Columbia (Canada) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Chris Honey Vancouver, British Columbia, (Canada) |
No | |
| 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: Update as of 05/06/08 - I had been completely spasm and twitch free since my surgery in July 2005 until a couple of months ago when HFS reared its ugly head. It started gradually, but in the past couple of weeks some days the spasms start every time I blink. That may last for 5 to 20 minutes and then nothing for a little while and then all of a sudden my face will just start twitching in full spasm. Some days it's worse than others but it's not nearly as bad as before I had the surgery. I am just fearful that it will come back full force because it started off slowly a couple of months ago and seems to be getting worse. Click here to see my "MVD Diary". |
||||||||||
| June Bencivenga
Milford, CT (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Roy Benear Austin, TX (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Louis Whitworth Dallas, TX. (USA) |
|
|
| Botox Comments: At first, some relief, but over time, diminishing results. MVD Comments: |
||||||||||
| Rita Benitez Miami, FL (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Albert Rhoton, Jr. Gainesville, FL (USA) |
|
|
| Botox Comments: I tried Botox for 5 years, untill I developed immunization. MVD Comments: As of 12/14/03, I am spasm free...although lately there seems like a little twitch that wants to come back...I am hoping it doesn't gain strength....my Left ear rings a little bit also, a little dizziness but nothing I cannot live with. I would have the surgery again in a heartbeat!!! |
||||||||||
| Chris Bennett
Milford, CT (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Maddy Benson Stockbridge, VT (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA) |
Yes | |
| MVD Comments: Update as of 10/04/07 – About 3 weeks post-op I announced that I was spasm free. Shortly after the announcement, I had the scary “facial droop”. It resolved very quickly and was back to normal by 3 weeks. When the droop resolved, the spasms came back. It has been a very tough year, the constant monitoring of the twitches and spasms and the many, many ups and downs. When the spasms returned slowly and different, I thought it would all be okay, but it seems I am going the 'wrong' way here! Hope is a wonderful thing, but there comes a time when it is better to face facts, accept the situation and move on. At 11 months, I stopped believing this was ever going to improve without another surgery. When it gets to be too much, we will talk again about another surgery. Click here to see my "MVD Diary. |
||||||||||
| Corena Berkbigler Jackson, MO (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Drs. Peter J. Jannetta & Ray Sekula
Pittsburgh, PA (USA) |
|
|
| 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. |
||||||||||
| Carlos Bernal San Antonio, TX (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Iracema Bernardes Lorton, VA (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA) |
|
|
| 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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| 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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| 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. |
||||||||||
| Howard Berris Novi, MI (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Henri Berroteran Tulsa, OK (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Botox Comments: Controlled spasms but it impacted my speech. My lips wouldn't move correctly. My eyebrow was raised and during one experience my eye drooped. It corrected in a couple of weeks. I get teary eye. | ||||||||||
| Kurt Berry Davisburg, MI (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Botox Comments: First shots help for 30 days, second session had little results. | ||||||||||
| Wilma Bertling Sebastian, FL (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Elad I. Levy Buffalo, NY (USA) |
|
|
| Botox Comments: One Botox treatment, no improvement. MVD Comments: Update as of 09/17/08 - Successful MVD, hearing intact, no equilibrium problems and spasm free. |
||||||||||
| Jamal Best Brooklyn, NY (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Botox Comments: I do not like botox. I hate needle. | ||||||||||
| Lynda Beutnagel Mesquite, TX (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Sam Finn Dallas, TX (USA) |
|
|
| MVD Comments: Loss of hearing on HFS side - I am very pleased with the results of my surgery | ||||||||||
| Brenda Bidwell Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Canada) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Anthony Kaufmann Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada) |
|
|
| Ginny Bierschenk West Hempstead, NY (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Chandranath Sen New York, NY (USA) |
|
|
| 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. |
||||||||||
| Ginny Bigelow
Downers Grove, IL (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Gail Rosseau Chicago, IL (USA) |
|
|
| MVD Comments: For details, click here to see my "MVD Diary". | ||||||||||
| Kirby Biggs Garland, TX (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Botox Comments: Do you twitch or does your face look paralyzed. | ||||||||||
| Rob Bindler Farmingdale, NY (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Chandranath Sen New York, NY (USA) |
|
|
| 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 10/09/08 - Sometimes I may get slight incidental spasms while drinking hot beverages or eating, but not frequent. Completely symptom free as of the end of February, 2008 (4.5 months after surgery. |
||||||||||
| Daz Bing Nottingham (United Kingdom) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Botox Comments: Just had first injections April 2006. | ||||||||||
| Adam Birch Reading (United Kingdom) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Wendy Birnbaum Coronado, CA (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr John Alksne La Jolla, CA (USA) |
|
|
| 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". |
||||||||||
| Ruth Birznieks Gosford (Australia) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prof. Michael Besser Sydney (Australia) |
|
|
| MVD Comments:
|
||||||||||
| Patricia Bishop Edenton, NC (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Betty Blake
Portsmouth, NH (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| 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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Botox Comments: It worked but it deformed my face while it the Botox wore off. | ||||||||||
| Brian Bockoven Fort Dodge, IA (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Peter J. Jannetta Pittsburgh, PA (USA) |
|
|
| 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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
||||||||||
| Rosalee Bond
Wagga Wagga (Australia) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes | ||
| Botox Comments: Eases the spasm, but get dry eye where eye does not close properly and still some spasms. | ||||||||||
| Colleen Boos Calgary, Alberta (Canada), |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Anthony Kaufmann Winnipeg (Canada) Calgary, Alberta (Canada) |
|
|
| 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) |
||||||||||
| Nancy Bourassa Laconia, NH (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Maureen Bourke Melbourne (Australia) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Peter Dohrmann Melbourne (Australia) |
|
|
| Botox Comments: Was effective but suffered several side effects including black eye, swollen eyelid, inverted eyelid. | ||||||||||
| Dan Boynton Lincoln, MA (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Botox Comments: For details, click here to see my "Personal Botox Experiences". | ||||||||||
| Bryan Bradford Former Memb. Garland, TX (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Jonathon White Dallas, TX (USA) |
|
|
| 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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Botox Comments: So far Botox has calmed down my spasms. I am hoping that continues.
|
||||||||||
| Joyce Bracey Virginia Beach, VA (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| 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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Botox Comments: No side effects - first time it did not work as expected. | ||||||||||
| Gill Breeds Brackell, England (United Kingdom) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Botox Comments: No longer taking any effect. | ||||||||||
| Susan Brendemihl McKinney, TX (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Botox Comments: Botox - very effective - but caused drooping of mouth and eye. | ||||||||||
| Dorothy Britton
Stone Mountain, GA (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Cindy Brockman
Hamburg, NY (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| 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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Stephen Powers Hershey, PA (USA) |
|
|
| 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. |
||||||||||
| Debbie Brosnan Edinburgh (United Kingdom) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Sharon Brott Cincinnati, OH (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Allan Brow
Toronto, Ontario (Canada) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Anthony Kaufmann Winnipeg (Canada) |
|
|
| Botox Comments - Botox does help, but with droopiness. MVD Comments: Update as of 05/23/08 – My surgery on 05/13/08 was a success according to Dr. Kaufmann in Winnipeg (Canada). However the spasms did return after I was released the following day. Dr. Kaufmann told me that they might come back but they should go away within a few weeks or months. Headaches are starting to go away. No leaks, no Bells Palsy, I just run out of breath very easy. My surgery was not as straight forward as most. It was near a main artery in the brain stem and he said he had to use more Teflon than other surgeries. My recovery is slow but it is progressing better each day. |
||||||||||
| Janice Brueggert
Sidney, OH (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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: Scheduled for MVD #2 on 11/13/08 with Dr. Peter J. Jannetta, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA (USA). (MVD #1 also with Dr. Jannetta on 02/01/07). |
||||||||||
| Kathleen Buchanan Texarkana, TX (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
| Jim Bucholz
Salem, OR (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Julie Burdett
Aylesbury (United Kingdom) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Pennie Burdic
Florence, OR (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Comments - MVD Surgery: Not Yet..Maybe
Someday but Insurance Problems. |
||||||||||
| Melinda Burgos Gilford, NH (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Carolyn Burks Arlington, TX (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Robert Grossman Houston,TX (USA) |
|
|
| 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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. David G. Piepgras Rochester,MN (USA) |
|
|
| 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". |
||||||||||
| Mary Bruni
Burnaby, British Columbia (Canada) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Chris Honey Vancouver, British Columbia, (Canada) |
|
|
| MVD Comments:
|
||||||||||
| Shirley Burr Minneapolis, MN (USA) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| 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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Hae-Dong Jho
Pittsburgh, PA (USA) |
|
|
| Botox Comments - No help MVD Comments:
|
||||||||||
| Laurence Cadorath Bournemouth, (United Kingdom) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| 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. | ||||||||||
| Jennifer Calatrello Athens, | ||||||||||