???Botox and Tarsorrhaphy

[cinnamon]

Hi everyone,

Sorry i have not posted lately. I went back to work 3 weeks ago and i am working full time. I am doing really well to be 15 weeks postop. I try to rest in the evenings especially. I am wiped on friday nights. I went to the eye doctor the other day and there has been no changes from 2 mnths ago as far as the eye blinking or closing. So my questions are: He is recommending botox to pull the midline back to the center and tarsorrhaphy to reduce the eye from being open so much. Remember I work in a dental office so of course I want to not draw attention to myself. I am still having issues with the confidence. I have read in the past that some of you had the stitch to the eye to help. Does it help? What are your thoughts? Has anyone used botox? I do not know much about it, but they tell me it wears off in 3 months. I have not talked to my neurosurgeon yet. I plan to do that this week. Doctors say i should notice a difference in my paralysis by christmas and i am strongly trying to believe that. On the other hand, my eye doctor has seen cases like mine and thinks it will take longer. I am doing my best to stay positive. The good thing is work is keeping my mind off things and each passing day is another day of healing. I have to say i am feeling pretty good working again. I was making such a big deal abou it. For those of you who had tarsorrhaphy, did you have any bruising or swelling? I am trying to think when i can do this surgery. Maybe around the holidays if it can be noticed. Answers and opinions are appreciated. Thanks.
Lisa

[nancyann]

Hi Lisa,
I had the lateral tarsal strip(I think it's the same as the tarsorrhaphy), + the gold weight right eye.   I couldn't be happier with the results.  Before the procedure my right eye was wide open both top and bottom lids.  Post op there was very little bruising.  I had the surg. 1 month after my AN surg., went back to work 1 month after the eye procedure only because I was still wiped out from the AN surg.  You may only need a week off from work after the eye surgery.  I highly recommend the procedure, it made a world of difference.  The eye doesn't look 100%, but it's MUCH better than before.   Hope this helps.    Nancy.   PS.  Haven't used Botox (other than for wrinkles!!).

[Jeanlea]

Hi Lisa,

Glad to hear that things are going well with work for you.  The anticipation always seems to be worse than the actual working.  I was the same way.  My eye doesn't blink either.  My eye doctor suggested a tarsorraphy.  At first I was dead set against it.  The my AN doctor said he thought it was a good idea.  I finally agreed to having it done 7 months after my AN surgery.  I had the surgery on a Thursday and went back to work on Monday.  I will admit I didn't look too good at that point.  But I figured what the heck.  I'm a teacher and my students were great about it.  And I knew this would get better.  I also had my lower eye lid lifted at the same time.  I'm glad I did it.  People tell me my eye looks so much better now.  It was about 7 months ago.  Didn't have the botox though.  The doctor did tell me that what he did is all reversible if the need should arise to reverse it.  Good luck to you.

Jean

[Janet]

I can't tell you about Botox as it relates to your eye. I am using it for medical reasons( post-op AN headaches).  I get injections every 3 months in my shoulders, neck, sides of head and forehead. It has helped me tremendously deal with these headaches caused by one-sided uncontrollable muscle tightness in response to some sort of nerve triggering. I was a little reluctant at first but I was determined to fight these headaches to get my life back. The injections themself were no big deal and I haven't had any side effects. I have had 3 rounds of injections and plan to keep getting them. It seems like a good way to control over-active muscles but I imagine that the person doing the injections is a huge variable to it's success or problems with side effects.  Best of Luck.

Janet

[amymeri]

Have you considered the gold weight in your lid as a first option?  I have heard mixed reviews about the stitching.  Botox seems to be used frequently in the facial paralysis world (check out bellspalsy.ws and there is a lot about botox on the fourm...I am considering myself).  FYI my blink didn't start to return until 16+ weeks out...

[cinnamon]

Amy,

I have used the external weight for a few weeks. Honestly it did not help my eye blink. I am convinced that it would not with an internal one either. I am just trying to gather information right now. Well, you give me hope that maybe my eye will start blinking in the next couple of weeks. What about the paralysis? Any difference noticed in it? I have absolutely no change. My mid line is pulling so bad to the right. I am very skeptical about botox but the doctor said it wears off in about 3 mnths so as long as it is temporary i am okay with it. About the internal weight- tell me more about your situation. Did it weigh your eye down alot? Was your eye as dry as before you had the weight? Do you feel the weight has helped your eye blink? The bad thing for me is that i am working full time and have very limited time off. So i would have to have something done right before the holidays to recouperate. My job can not do without me. I am the only front office person working right now. I will check out bells palsy for more info. But please share your experience with me. Talk to you soon.
Lisa

[amymeri]

Hi Lisa

I don't have the weight, but my friends who do say it is much more effective that the external.  It might not restore your blink but it will allow you to close your eye.  The surgery is short, while you are awake with a weekend recovery period.

I was just about to get it (4 mos after surgery) and my blink started to return.  Now I don't blnk but my eyelid moves and my eye is much moister and although I do still tape my eye at night, I don't have to.  I was using drops 10-15 times a day and now I use
them 1-2 times a day...in fact it's 6:30 pm and I haven't used them yet.  I have some days that are worse and I use drops more often...but usually I can go most of the day without drops. 

My nerve was intact after surgery so that means I have a good chance of adequate recovery, but I have synkinesis and am hoping to get botox to relax my cheek which is constantly clenched. 

I think everyone is different so it's hard to give good advice, but I hope I can give you some encouragement and hope for improvement in the future. 

I think botox (IF DONE BY SOMEONE EXPERIENCED IN FACIAL PARALYSIS) can probably be very helpful in relaxing tight muscles or evening your face out. 

My ENT says to expect at least an 18 month recovery with some residuals. I am going to the specialist this week and will let you know what I learn.

Amy

[cinnamon]

Thanks Amy,

I look forward to hearing back from you. I am using drops quite a bit if i don't wear the patch. my eye doctor really is trying to help me.

Lisa