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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Blepherospasm
        
(Message started by: georgej on Nov 12^th, 2006, 3:23pm)

Title: Blepherospasm
Post by georgej on Nov 12^th, 2006, 3:23pm

This is a really, really minor issue, I'm afraid. I'm passing through what used to be (years ago) my usual autumn cluster cycle, and although I've been PF, I've been getting continual eye twitches. If I concentrate on them, I can make them stop, but then they start up again. It isn't painful at all, but it's annoying. This isn't the first time this has happened during my old cycle periods.

Does anyone know whether this can be treated with a supplement of some sort? I've tried drinking an electrolyte mix to try to stop them, but it doesn't seem to help.

Again, I apologize for bringing up such a Mickey Mouse issue--it's not painful, just a pain in the a$$--but I thought I'd ask, anyway.

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Blepherospasm
Post by chewy on Nov 12^th, 2006, 3:24pm

super glue

Title: Re: Blepherospasm
Post by nani on Nov 12^th, 2006, 3:25pm

I get them all the time, george. You're right...a real PITA, LOL. I haven't found or heard of anything that helps. :-/

Title: Re: Blepherospasm
Post by georgej on Nov 12^th, 2006, 3:25pm

on 11/12/06 at 15:24:02, chewy wrote:

super glue

Applied, or snorted? [smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: Blepherospasm
Post by georgej on Nov 12^th, 2006, 3:27pm

on 11/12/06 at 15:25:01, nani wrote:

I get them all the time, george. You're right...a real PITA, LOL. I haven't found or heard of anything that helps. :-/

Thanks, Nani. I was afraid of that. :)

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Blepherospasm
Post by chewy on Nov 12^th, 2006, 3:29pm

OH DEFINITELY applied George.

Elmers dont hold.

Title: Re: Blepherospasm
Post by LeLimey on Nov 12^th, 2006, 3:39pm

George I get it all the time too.. umm.. does this mean you WEREN'T winking at me by the way?! Darn!
I've tried rubbing my eyes and i've asked my neuro about it and he said its just one of those annoying little things, like a nerve short circuit was how he described it.
At least you know its not anything serious
Helen :)

Title: Re: Blepherospasm
Post by Lizzie2 on Nov 12^th, 2006, 3:51pm

My former neuro told me it was because I was overtired all the time and told me to take B12 supplement. But then again - B12 or B complex are the neurologic "cure all" supplements.... I know the annoyance!!

Title: Re: Blepherospasm
Post by kcopelin on Nov 12^th, 2006, 4:22pm

George, I get those as well-usually after alot of computer time but sometimes for no apparent reason. Talked with my doctor about it and she said not to worry. So I'm not. Sure is a pain. On the positive side, it can scare small children. 8)
PFDAN y'all
kathy

Title: Re: Blepherospasm
Post by vig on Nov 12^th, 2006, 4:39pm

I've experience the eye twitCHes too.
annoying, but compared to a full trigeminal flip-out, it's OK.

Title: Re: Blepherospasm
Post by georgej on Nov 12^th, 2006, 6:48pm

Thanks, all, for your thoughts and suggestions. I think I'll try a B12 supplement. Can't hurt. If it doesn't work--well--as vig said, it's no big deal.

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Blepherospasm
Post by BobG on Nov 12^th, 2006, 7:17pm

on 11/12/06 at 15:25:58, georgej wrote:

Applied, or snorted? [smiley=laugh.gif]

Applied. Put a small drop on your finger tip and rub it gently on the eyelid. ::)

Title: Re: Blepherospasm
Post by BB on Nov 12^th, 2006, 8:33pm

on 11/12/06 at 19:17:32, BobG wrote:

Applied. Put a small drop on your finger tip and rub it gently on the eyelid. ::)

Even better still, get your wife to rub it on for you ;)

;;D

Joking aside, George, have you tried applying ice to the area? It may help stop the spasm, not permanently, but maybe for a while.

Quoting Dr Lansing:

Dr. Mary Lansing: The small muscle spasms or twitches that occur occasionally in the eyelid muscles called orbicularis oculi of many individuals. They are often seen in otherwise well individuals and consist of fine twitching of the upper and/or lower eyelids, typically on one side of the face. These eyelid twitches, while bothersome, are transient and of no medical concern. Episodes may last from several hours to several days or even weeks and are commonly associated with fatigue, stress or the use of caffeine or nicotine. There may be long periods between episodes. The condition is known as benign eyelid myokymia.

In my clinical experience, I have found no consistently effective treatment for this annoying condition. Some patients have reported achieving short-term relief with the use of warm or cold compresses, getting extra rest and eating foods, such as bananas, that are high in potassium.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mary Lansing, M.D., is an ophthalmologist practicing in Louisville. She is fellowship-trained in vitreoretinal disease and surgery, specializing in diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and other disorders of the retina. Her response was provided in cooperation with the Boulder County Medical Society.

I guess in clusterheads, it could be caused by some subclinical activity in the ophthamic branch of the Trigeminal nerve. It sounds bothersome but its not dangerous.

I am really glad you are painfree otherwise George.

Take care,

Annette

Title: Re: Blepherospasm
Post by floridian on Nov 13^th, 2006, 12:08pm

on 11/12/06 at 20:33:31, BB wrote:

I guess in clusterheads, it could be caused by some subclinical activity in the ophthamic branch of the Trigeminal nerve.

I thinks that's it - my twitches are usually signals that I am ramping up into a cycle. The only thing I can suggest is to keep things under control using some preventive strategy.

Magnesium is an antispasmodic that might help.

Title: Re: Blepherospasm
Post by Tata on Nov 13^th, 2006, 12:33pm

on 11/13/06 at 12:08:41, floridian wrote:

I thinks that's it - my twitches are usually signals that I am ramping up into a cycle.

Mine, too. Usually the twitching starts anywhere from a week to several weeks before the first HA, but this time it was the same night. One year (during the time I should have had my HAs), I had eye and lip twitches, but I never got any HAs---go figure.

Title: Re: Blepherospasm
Post by georgej on Nov 13^th, 2006, 2:33pm

on 11/13/06 at 12:08:41, floridian wrote:

Magnesium is an antispasmodic that might help.

Thank you. I'm already taking 250 mg. magnesium daily, along with a calcium supplement. Perhaps I'll up the magnesium a bit (1/2 a tablet more) for a short while to see if it makes a difference during the next month.

Best,

George

Edited for spelling.

Title: Re: Blepherospasm
Post by georgej on Nov 25^th, 2006, 9:24am

Update on this minor issue--may be of interest to someone who finds the eye-twitch thing annoying.

I upped my consumption of magnesium by another half-tab per day, to 375 mg., and added one 550 mg tablet of potassium gluconate per day (on the recommendation of a friend who PM'd me).

For whatever reason, the eye spasm quit. Could be the potassium, I suppose, although I don't know. Could be it just quit on its own. I dropped the magnesium back to 250 mg, and it hasn't come back.

Just an FYI for what it's worth.

Best,

George

Title: Re: Blepherospasm
Post by UN solved on Nov 27^th, 2006, 8:14am

Goodluck George ! I hope this annoying problem stays away.

PF Wishes

UNsolved