oHIo -
I'm right with you on this one - my facial function was pretty good right after surgery. 24 hours later, it was pretty much gone. I am working on making slight movements with my mouth - I can feel the muscles moving a bit, though I don't think you can see it if you look at me. Do you have feeling in your face? I do, and figure that's a good sign at least. They told me 3-6 months for function to return, so I guess I'll be working on that timetable. You did have facial nerve monitoring during surgery too, right?
Tammy
Tammy...yes, I had facial nerve monitoring during surgery. I have full feeling in my face. Even a few days after surgery, I had muscle spasms in my face if I touch over my eye, or my cheek. No synkenesis, just spasms that draw up my lip or eyebrow. I don't know whether that is a good thing or bad thing, but it helps to accentuate my Marty Feldman eye
I also had really severe pain in my cheek, under my ear where my jawbones meet at around 8 weeks post op. For 4 days, I wanted to cry it hurt so bad. I saw the doctor who thought it was TMJ, but it disappeared suddenly, right after seeing the doctor (go figure). My theory is that it was nerve pain because TMJ normally just doesn't suddenly stop hurting. I had taken pain medication and it didn't help, so something was up.
I also had an intracranial bleed at the beginning and end of my surgery, which was repaired, but I wonder if that didn't contribute to my slower recovery along with the spinal fluid leak.
While I complain at times, I believe I am doing well and have had a good outcome. I went back to work at 9 weeks (Memorial Day week) working long days (10-12 hours) and feel pretty good. Other than my eye and uncooperative face, I pretty much feel back to normal. My friends would tell you I was never normal.
Even the eye and face issues have not slowed me down.
Debbi...I hope the twitches, no matter how tiny, continue.
