facial pain

[4cm in Pacific Northwest]

HUGS Canadian Sister Anne Marie! My heart goes out to you.

Joyce,

I started to get pain just before movement was noticeable. This could be a good sign – believe it or not. The facial muscles have been dormant a while and now they are possibly moving- this is going to hurt at first.

If there is synkinesis happening then you could have motor neurons in the nerve pulling the muscle the opposite directions causing tightness.

This explains that better than I can
http://www.bellspalsy.ws/residual.htm


This explains the House Brackmann scale
http://www.dundee.ac.uk/bells/index_files/hbscale.htm

Can you give us a heads up on more specific details on your case?

•   When was surgery?
•   Where were you on this House Brackmann scale just after surgery?
•   Where are you now on the House Brackmann Scale?

There are exercises and messages you can do but you do not want to start these too soon. You have to have some movement signs first.

Here are some links to help you.

Facial exercises
http://www.bellspalsy.ws/exercise.htm
&
http://www.bellspalsy.org.uk/leaflets.htm

Here is a list of qualified medical centers that can help you with facial issues.

 http://www.bellspalsy.ws/centers.htm

If there is not one in your state you could always call here to see who they know of that is closer to you.

Neuromuscular Retraining Clinic
Dept. of Rehabilitation Medicine
University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Research Park Clinic
Madison, Wisconsin
H. Jacqueline Diels, OT; Facial Rehabilitation Specialist
608-263-7271

(Jackie Diels is highly respected by many AN patients on this forum and she actually trains therapists. She may be able to forward you to someone she knows of in your geographical area)

Have you seen a Ophthalmologist & Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon yet for an exam. Remember that the “e� in ENT does not stand for “eye� and it is best to skip that department and go straight to ophthalmology department. (Specifically a “neuro-ophthalmologist�)

Have you tried either ice or heat on the face?

Heat will relax the muscles. Ice will take down the swelling.

Give us some more specifics and maybe we can help you more...


Daisy Head Mazy

[yardtick]

Daisy Head Mazy,
 
Thanks for the hugs, I sure you know how much I appreciate them.  I had a good nap, mind you dinner wasn't made so its pizza for tonight. 

Anne Marie

[lori67]

First things first, I've never had any facial pain, so maybe the pain you're having is coming from something else - maybe the trigeminal neuralgia Nancy mentioned.  I've heard that's very painful.  I think I'd go to the doctor to get to the cause of the pain.

And Ann Marie, I had no idea all this was going on either.  I'm glad that work is cooperating with you.  At least that's one less thing to worry about.  I hope you come up with a good solution.  And I really hope you can get some sleep!   

Lori