I'm sure there are some here who can help-------------------
<!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->
....with some reassuring words!
Since there is no general "neurology" section- I felt this was the most appropraite forum to post on--as it centers on..."neurology"-
OK- Here's the deal--I have hemifacial spasm....& since...1991..& been treated quite successfully with botox injections.. They really do a great job in alleviating the facial & eye spasms.
I usually get them...every 6 months..(most people get 'em...every 4 months...but my injections.."lasted"...longer.)
I have not had any for over a year now....(had seen my neuro 3 months ago...for a general check up)-& everything was fine--ANYWAY.....here is my story of .."woe"-
I live in Philly.....& as a writer....keep a very small one room studio in Beverly Hills..CA. (I also luv the warm winter weather.....& my health feels better out there...no cough..etc..-- --plus, I have a "Screenwriting Seminar", the weekend of Jan 16-17....that I really want to attend & I have already paid for-!
Anyway.. noticed last 2 w...wks or so---my " facial hemispasm" started to return & I knew I'd need another set of injections---BUT..2 nites BEFORE leaving for LA.....started getting strong myoclonic spasms...in my neck.....back AND front.of my neck-. (by my trachea)---very strong..but ONLY occured.....while lying down-! (This got me to thinking now---that it might very well be related to the "hemifacial spasm", that....the muscle spasms had spread (esp. since I had no "botox" for over a year--to keep it in check! AND....the laying down, part--made me think that the same cranial nerve (the 7th...facial nerve)--that was "setting off"...the facial spasms--was being "compressed"....when I laid down!
Obviously made it very difficult to sleep--! Arrived in LA...last Tues...29 Dec...& FIRST nite they....they re-occured! I could NOT sleep at all...(They started about midnite...when I laid down to sleep......& in spite of taking an extra....valium...continued.....til....like 4 AM.....when i finally went off to sleep-
-They stop when sleeping & when standing or sitting up-Again--they ONLY happen when laying down! But, my dear HW friend--the "neck spasms"...were very strong, myoclonic in nature! That nite...2 AM......called 911...the Beverly Hills EMT....were there in 3 mins! My "vital signs"....were good....& as one of the EMTs.....so correctly put it--(after I explained my symptoms---)
"Robert.....What do you want us to do? If we take you to the ER......really, there is nothing they can do for that!" He was really "on target"...there!
-(I had called my wife late that nite...& told her....I was coming home......rt away......)---I made arrangments for a flight next day---(again, not fun leaving 74 degrees & sunny weather...for...the brutal cold of Philly)---
ANYWAY...........got home.....slept very well....first nite.....2nd nite they re-occurred.,...I called my neuro
.am seeing her tomorrow...Monday...4 January
--I definitey need more botox......(like i said..it has been awhile)----BUT....my question..( and I KNOW...& HOPE i get some answers from people WITH this condition or KNOW about it)--here goes--
I am HOPING that this "cervical"...(neck) spasm...IS just "related"...to the hemifacial spasm.....maybe stated above)-
it spread the neck.
....my neuro can give me some...botox into the neck muscles! I'm going back...to LA....Thurs-----& I'm hoping...like i said....that this is.."related"...to the hemispasm....& NOT something new!
IF....ANYONE here has hemifacial spasm...or knows about it---has this happened to you? It would be SOooo. reassuring to hear from you
Please---get back....asap
You-have no idea-- if I could hear from even one person, with 'hemifacial spasm' who had it 'spread' to the neck--then..I'd know.."I am not alone! ---Kindest regards---Robert -- (PS---i seem to get the strangest maladies!)