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For more than four years, Mike Wuest was troubled by a tic, a twitching in his face that he could not get rid of. It started in his left eye and later moved to his cheek as well.
“I assumed the tic was from some stressful events I was going through at work,” Wuest says. The tic affected Wuest physically, emotionally and socially. “As the twitching progressed, I became more and more reclusive. I just didn’t want to be out in public.”
Wuest’s primary care physician thought the eye twitch was anxiety-induced and prescribed a medication, but it had no effect. The doctor suggested that Wuest might be a good candidate for mind control therapy, but beyond that had no more ideas.
In 2005, Wuest had back and elbow surgery. During the pre-op evaluation, Wuest mentioned that he’d had a tic for three and a half years, but the neurosurgeon didn’t follow up on it. “He brushed the situation off,” Wuest remembers.
At this point, he decided to try to find the answer himself. He researched his symptoms on the Web, and ran across a disease description that sounded like exactly what he had been experiencing. It was called hemifacial spasm (HFS). It occurs when a blood vessel touches the facial nerve, irritating the nerve, which then causes twitching in the face. The twitching typically starts in one eye. If no action is taken, it can affect the whole side of a person’s face. Symptoms can increase with stress, emotions, fatigue, driving, bright lights, watching TV and reading.
More Web browsing eventually led him to the Web page of the Hemifacial Spasm Association (opens in new window), which helped change his life for the better: The association’s Web page provides information and support for those coping with HFS. He read about how a woman was defeating HFS thanks to surgery at Mayo Clinic. “She was helped by Dr. Link, a neurosurgeon. That prompted me to seek help there,” he says.
Wuest set up an appointment with Dr. Link and the neurosurgeon confirmed that Wuest did, in fact, have HFS. He then performed decompression surgery, separating the blood vessel from the facial nerve.
Wuest’s symptoms are beginning to subside and should be gone in about a year (nerve injuries heal slowly) and he is thrilled about the results. “I have my self-confidence back. It is nice to go out in public and not have people stare or ask what’s wrong with your face. Because of Dr. Link and the wonderful surgical team, I have my life back and for that, I shall be eternally grateful.”
my problem started in my left eye.Iam seeing neuroligst at the V.A. Started with botox helped at first. Now twitch has moved to include cheek chin &lips. On 2 meds which help but very little I don’t feel the meds help is worth the side affects. Next step is MRI If surgery is needed can I seek help with Mayo clinic through the V.A?
We cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this correspondence.please contact For your question about the VA, please contact Patient Account Services at 800-660-4582 (toll-free).
I was diagnosed with hemifacial spasms but after an MRI the neurologist could not find any cause of the spasms. No tumor and no compression of the facial nerves by any other means. I am currently taking gabapentine but the spasms still occur. I started accupuncture to help me relax and it has helped a little but the spasms still occur. I am at a loss. No underlying cause for the spasms and nothing stops them completely. It has been almost 2 years. I am not asking for a diagnosis but are there any other options for anyone who presents with hemifacial spasms but with no underlying cause?
I was diagnosed with hemifacial spasms about 9 years ago. I have been treated with botox . It worked really well at the beginning but is no longer working. My eyelid is drooping & I am schedule for a consult for an eyelid lift. I have researched the surgery to stop the spasms & I am at the point where I know surgery is the only answer . I would like to have this surgery where the doctors are trained to do this surgery.Do I have to be referred or can I make my own appointment?
Hello Linda – Thank you for your comment and question about appointments. You do not have to be referred to make an appointment at Mayo. Depending on your location and preference…you can call any of these numbers: Arizona: 800-446-2279 Florida: 904-953-0853 Minnesota: 507-538-3270 http://www.mayoclinic.org/ Hope this helps and that you’re able to have the surgery that will stop the spasms. Best Regard, Dana
Had surgery at Mayo Hospital AZ little more than a month ago. I woke up feeling half of the twitching was already gone. It stayed that way for 2 weeks and n
ow has not only gone back to pre-op twitching, it seems worse. Maybe because the last of the botox is worn off. I’ve had this 2008. Had acupuncture to no avail, botox injections with about 2 years of descent results but then eye drooping occurred as well as mouth droop. It looked like I’d had a stroke. I am depressed over the return of the twitching and trying to be patient hoping it will get better. Any words of encouragement or a direction to go?
Thank you for your question, and we are sorry to hear that you are having such problems. Unfortunately, we can not provide treatment recommendations via this form of communication. If she would like to consult with one of our physicians about your symptoms, please contact Arizona: 480-301-1735 Florida: 904-953-0853 Minnesota: 507-284-2511.
I believe I was the woman Mike found at the HFS site and I’m so happy to know I helped him find Dr. Link and the Mayo. It’s been 11 years since my surgery and, unfortunately, I think it may be coming back. Is that possible? If so, how long should I wait before doing something about it? I waited 7 years before I did anything the first time.