How to cure a facial tic

[simon43]

For some reason yet to be determined, I have developed an unvoluntary, facial tic, which causes me to rapidly blink my right eye or close and open the eye several times. It is unvoluntary, in that I can stop this tic if I concentrate, but eventually I get some relief by allowing the tic to occur.

I am 56 years old, in good health, and have had this tic for about a month. It is frigging annoying and makes me appear like a village idiot!

Any ideas how to control this tic? I suspect that botox injections might help, but what about something like acupuncture?

[BritManToo]

Dark glasses, or mirrored glasses. That's the easy fix, you still do it, but they can't see it.

I had muscle twitches in one of my legs, damned annoying, went away after 2-3 months.

Edited April 24, 2016 by BritManToo

[phetphet]

According to this: http://www.healthline.com/health/facial-tics#Overview1 rest and de-stress, or even deep brain stimulation might help. Best see a doctor.

Edited April 24, 2016 by phetphet

[surangw]

botox ?

[simon43]

botox ?

Is that a 'why not try botox' or 'why botox' question?

Botox is one suggested solution for facial tics because it 'numbs' the muscles that are used to create the tic. However, I think it is more prudent to find out why I have this tic, ie resolve the cause, not the symptoms.

[NickJ]

Try Google. I remember reading about a simple supplement that helped a person I knew here. She had had enough and was near to having a nerve branch severed. ......I will try and figure out what she took.

[johnatong]

botox ?

Is that a 'why not try botox' or 'why botox' question?

Botox is one suggested solution for facial tics because it 'numbs' the muscles that are used to create the tic. However, I think it is more prudent to find out why I have this tic, ie resolve the cause, not the symptoms.

'Tics' such as you describe often have no identifiable cause but can be aggravated by stress, lack of sleep, caffeine, and bright, harsh light conditions.

These tics are often self limiting.

If you are worried you could consult a neurologist or an ophthalmologist but would urge you not to consider Botox unless advised by a medical specialist.

[RajendarMangalagiri]

It's just "Anxiety", quite common.

Nothing to worry, just Relax - literally.

[Sheryl]

You shouldvstart by consulting a neurologist to rule out any serious identifiable cause.

If it is idiopathic, botox indeed might help but be sure to get it from a neuro specializing in its use for that purpose and not from a cosmetic specialist.

[anon467367354]

are you ingesting any excitoneurotoxins such as MSG?

[MarkyM3]

I would back up replies mentioning that medical advice should first be sought.

Internet research seems to indicate that often, otherwise healthy people may develop this and treatment can be non-intrusive. But in my case, I developed an involuntary twitching in one of my eyelids last year which went away after after a medical procedure to remove a benign salivary gland tumour. So occasionally, there may be a deeper underlying cause (not trying be a scare mongerer, this is just my personal experience).

Good luck to the OP.

[ESCAPIS]

I have the same problems and I am at the same age. It started 4 years back and it got worse.

As all advised, it is stress or Greatly aggravated by stress.

Doctors had these options for me:

1- Botox

It paralyses the nerve/s responsible.

The downsides:

A- you would need to do both halves of your face to keep a semblance of normality for onlookers, otherwise people would staring at discrepancy .

B- It would have to be done every about 6 months as the effect wears away.

2- a doctor suggested surgery whereby a Teflon snippet is inserted between the the artery/vein pulsating and the nerve it is touching.

According to the doctor I would have been the first test subject.

Obviously both options are not very attractive, and I wool have to suffer till someone find a cure.

I would be very interested in members opinions.

It is taking a toll on my social life and indeed my day to day life.

[OldPedro]

I had a bad case of twitching, particularly eyes neck & upper arms, before my last trip to LOS a few months ago. My Aussie Doctor advised MRI/Cat Scans etc...the usual tests designed to maintain the high cost of medical care in Oz.

I waited until I got to Don Mueang and visited my usual massage therapist....he spotted the problem (without being told) and fixed it in one session...amazing! Now back in Perth and the problem is returning, but I know where to go next visit....

[SOTIRIOS]

.....you have to examine your life....

... a 'life change' or something else that causes stress.....

...it can be an indication of a poor diet or deficiency....

...sometimes contaminants in your environment or diet.....

...lack of trace minerals such as potassium....

....always look for 'natural source' for any food supplements....

[surangw]

does it twitch whilst you are sleeping?

[ableguy]

Flea and tic killer.

[AlQaholic]

If it looks funny, make a clip and post on Youtube, you might make money from it....

No but seriously like OldPedro said, visit a massage therapist, and acupuncturist, and then look into what may be root cause, like maybe try a meditation retreat?

Never let the quacks start carving on you.

Edited April 26, 2016 by AlQaholic

[captainhornblower]

If it looks funny, make a clip and post on Youtube, you might make money from it....

No but seriously like OldPedro said, visit a massage therapist, and acupuncturist, and then look into what may be root cause, like maybe try a meditation retreat?

Never let the quacks start carving on you.

I would be inclined to go to an acupuncturist as they are dealing with nerve issues daily - they also help to de-stress you anyway.

[khundon]

Many tics resolve themselves within 3 months, if your lasts longer, then see a doc.

[ESCAPIS]

does it twitch whilst you are sleeping?

Yes it does.

[lungnorm]

Maybe its caused by magnesium deficiency. Suggested dose 1000mg per day for 4-6 weeks. Magnesium is hard to get into your system for example magnsium oxide is only 4% bio available. Magenesium citrate is better and some of the other types of magnesium or also reasonablby bio available. Wam baths with a couple of handfuls of Epsom salts is another way to get magnesium into your system.