When you suffer from hemifacial spasms, you may feel that your life is out of control and that you will never feel normal again. This type of neuromuscular problem usually presents itself in middle-aged or older females, although males can be afflicted as well. Finding the right physicians and deciding whether hemifacial spasm surgery or another type of treatment is the wisest route is not an arduous task if you educate yourself about the disease.
Symptoms of the Disease
One of the most common symptoms of hemifacial spasms is twitching or involuntary spasms, typically on only one side of the face. At the onset of the disease, the twitching may involve only the eyelid. As the disorder worsens, the spasm may cause the individual to involuntarily close his or her eye at random times. Eventually, the spasms may involve pulling of one side of the mouth and continuous spasms in the entire side of the face.
Psychological Effects of the Disorder
Although your close friends and loved ones will eventually grow accustomed to, and often rarely notice the twitching any longer, the patient never feels quite at ease, particularly in public places. Most people, particularly young children, don’t intend to be unkind, but they often can’t help staring at the individual who suffers with the hemifacial spasms. Many people are merely curious and wonder if the person has a tic or a seizure disorder while others fear that the person with hemifacial spasms is mentally ill or perhaps even dangerous.
Even though the afflicted individual knows that the people who stare at, or fear them, are simply ignorant of the disease, it doesn’t minimize the deep humiliation and feeling of isolation that results. The person with spasms may avoid meeting new people or being in public places due to their condition, which can diminish his or her self-esteem and quality of life. These issues make it vital to undergo hemifacial spasm surgery or another type of treatment that will minimize or control the disorder.
How is This Condition Diagnosed?
Generally, your family physician will consult a neurologist to diagnose the problem and determine the treatment plan for the hemifacial spasm disorder. After performing a physical examination, observing the facial spasms and talking with you, the neurologist will likely order an MRI to confirm the diagnosis. This provides the physician with a detailed image of your head.
It also may be necessary to perform a magnetic resonance angiogram or MRA. This is done by injecting a contrast dye into your blood vessel. This allows the doctor to determine if there are any abnormalities there. If so, the abnormality may place pressure on a nerve, thus causing the irritation that results in the facial spasms. Hemifacial spasm surgery is just one of the options that can remedy this situation.
How are Hemifacial Spasms Treated?
Many physicians recommended trying medications after the diagnosis to see if they bring about positive changes. With many patients, the medications provide very little relief from their symptoms. This results with the patients often choosing to discontinue the drugs because the side effects outweigh the benefits.
Sometimes doctors suggest trying injections of a botulinum toxin. The injection therapy is quite beneficial to some patients, but it may have little effect on others.
Surgery is a Viable Option
Although few patients desire to have surgery, sometimes it is the only option that will rid the individual of the spasms long term. The most common hemifacial spasm surgery that is beneficial to a majority of patients is microvascular decompression.
This type of hemifacial spasm surgery is minimally invasive; this prevents a long recovery time. The surgery generally doesn’t leave the patient with annoying side effects, such as numbness. Make an appointment to consult with a neurosurgeon who is caring, compassionate and has an impeccable reputation before making your decision.
Deciding on the Best Option
Many patients have difficulty making the decision to have hemifacial spasm surgery. This is why it is important to seek the counsel of physicians with excellent reputations and experience with this type of disorder. Seek a second opinion if it will ease your concerns and those of your loved ones. Many insurance companies are happy to pay for another opinion. Search for a surgeon who is board certified; this will help you locate one with ample experience with this disorder. Speak frankly with the surgeon and discuss your fears and trepidation. Ask the doctor if there are any of his or her patients who have already had the surgery that you could speak with about their experience and the outcome. Although the doctor/patient relationship is confidential, many patients are quite willing to talk about their experience and the joy of a complete recovery with someone who suffers from the same condition that they once had.
What Happens During the Surgery?
The neurosurgeon will make a small incision behind your ear. Using a microscope, the physician will determine where the blood vessel is exerting pressure on the nerve. The surgeon will then place a tiny cushion into the space. It is made of polytetrafluoroethylene. This is a nonstick material that eases the pressure on the nerve. After only 24 to 48 hours, the typical patient is able to return home from the hospital.
Generally, most all patients experience immediate and permanent relief from the spasms. The problems you dealt with before the hemifacial spasm surgery or other treatments will be just an unpleasant memory.
