facial numbness

[satman]

hey there everybody,have a question for you guys.
for those of you who dont know of me, i had a 8 cm AN removed in april 07.
Hello to all of my buddies that were here for me in the roughest of times.
my question for all of you posties is,does anybody still have facial numbness on your non-animated side.
it's been a year and 3 months for me and it still feels like i just left the dentists.
i have no movement as of yet but the numbness will drive one crazy.
please chime in,want to pick your brain,ok ,pun intended.

[Patti]

Was it really 8 cm?  Mine was 4 cm and it was removed 8 years ago.  I still have facial, scalp, tongue, and teeth numbness but some movement.  I do get lots of unpleasant sensations on the numb parts.  Patti

[Jim Scott]

John:

Unfortunately, unless it dissipates within a few weeks or months of surgery, your facial numbness and/or any paralysis will probably last for up to 18 months, although the literature states that permanent facial numbness is somewhat rare.  So they say.   I trust that the 'temporary numbness' designation will apply in your case.  If not, there is therapy available and many of our members have had success with it.  Of course, if it comes to that, a nerve graft is always an option.   You might want to mention the numbness to your doctor on your next visit, following an MRI scan, so he can look for any facial nerve impairment.  I just hope the situation is resolved soon.  You've been through a lot.  Try to stay strong.

Jim

[calimama]

i have numbness but am only 1 month post surgery. i am trying to look on the bright side... at least it does not hurt!

hope you find the answers you seek.

Trish

[Kaybo]

satman~
Let me get this straight...are you saying you have no movement and no FEELING on the AN side - is that what you mean by numbness or do you feel a bit of something like when you leave the dentist? maybe heaviness?

K

PS - Will be in Southlake next week...

[lori67]

Satman -

I have very little movement on my AN side, but the numbness did go away - mostly.  It still doesn't feel exactly like the other side, but pretty close.  That post-dentist feeling did go away.  I'm at 16 months post-op and it probably took almost a year for the numbness to go away.  Now if the movement part would kick in, that would be nice.

Lori

[Jeanlea]

Hi Satman,

I had my surgery nearly 3 years ago.  I have facial paralysis and numbness.  The numbness is still here, but I think it is showing a bit of improvement.  My lips feel tingly from time to time.  I can feel pressure on my face but no light touches such as like a feather.  I don't know which one makes my face feel tight, but that is better than right after surgery.  At least there are times now when I forget all about it.
Hope you hear some other good information.

Jean

[nancyann]

Hi there John:   my AN side 'feels' numb, but if I pinch my cheek I feel it.

Always good thoughts,   Nancy

[satman]

thanks everybody,yea patti it really was 8 cm wish i was kidding but it's true.
jim,i believe i am going to run with your prediction of 18 months,sounds good to me.
kim , how long are you going to be in dallas,would like to meet you and chat it up a bit.
you asked if i had any feeling at all,when i rake my finger across my face i can feel it.what it feels like [numbness] is like i had areally big hit of novacaine and that is
starting to drive me crazy,as if i need any help with that.
thanks again everybody,your input is highly appreciated, heres smiling at ya,crooked that is, wink, wink [i wish]
happy 4th everybody.

[Joef]

I still have some numbness  but is getting better..  and its been almost 3 years

[Sue]

Well, if it's any consolation at all, I had Gamma Knife and I have numbness on my AN side.  Possibly not as bad as what you have, but it affects most of the left side of my face, and it's worse around the temple area.  I am thinking that I'll have this the rest of my life.  I am not expecting this to get any better, so that if it does I can be pleasantly surprised. 

Sue in Vancouver USA

[Pembo]

Surgery was 4 years ago and my numbness is still recovering. The entire right side of my head was numb in the beginning and now it is more localized in my face. I saw a lot of recovery around 18 months. The facial therapist I saw in Pittsburgh said he has seen cases where sensation has returned after 15 years!!

I hate the just went to the dentist feeling. Somedays are worse than others. Have you tried any exercises for sensation? I used to tap my face with my fingers, use one of those vibrating massagers made for your back, and I would just massage my face gently.

[Joef]

The facial therapist I saw in Pittsburgh said he has seen cases where sensation has returned after 15 years!!

better late than never !

[Crazycat]

5cm growth. Surgery about 3 years ago now. No facial paralysis at all. Still some deep numbness on AN side but gradually improving.

[cherrypiper]

pick away satman and let me know if you find anything   

one of my "friends" asked me to have the surgeons install a glass plate back there so we'd always have proof i have a brain  ........

i'm 8 months from surgery and my AN side has no feeling . no numbness or tingling . i have found that folks tell me the color is better and the muscle tone is too. i do facial exercises to help.

and i massage those muscles a bit too.