A NEW APPROACH TO BLEPHAROSPASM
Problems diagnosed with a combination of Blepharospasm and Myasthenia in 2004/5
TREATMENTFirst Stage
Starting early 2005 Mestinon 60g twice a day proved very helpful in preventing eyelid drooping e.g. gentle closures but violent blinking sudden closures continued. My own conclusion was that Mestinon was helping Myasthenia but Blepharospasm increased.
TREATMENTSecond Stage
Botox injection at Charing Cross Hospital March 05 result total eye closures, facial twitch continued and even jaw locking. I continued with Mestinon but due to severity of closures, neither myself or doctors could say for certain what the problem was.
TREATMENTThird Stage
Later that year (2005) I was fortunate enough to obtain an appointment with a specialist at the Western Eye Hospital who immediately diagnosed Blepharospasm as main cause with some secondary signs of Myasthenia.
Botox was prescribed and administered and this time the results were excellent i.e. within two days, eyes were normal except for some minor drooping of eyelids when I was tired. I continued with these Botox injections until May 2009 (every eight weeks or so) but in time they became less effective particularly in the days before the next injection. Also in 2008 I underwent Ptosis surgery to assist with prevention of eye lid drooping.
After the first successful injection in 2005 I discontinued the Mestinon which in retrospect was a mistake as it was for Myasthenia and not Blepharospasm.
TREATMENTFourth Stage
July 3 2009, just before my Botox injections I was experiencing violent eye closures, headaches and symptoms associated with my jaw joint. I consulted Dr Patrick Grossmann BDS D.Orth RCS who, after a series of tests, proposed fitting me with an appliance to reposition my lower jaw. Dr Grossmann explained that there was emerging evidence that a splint might alleviate Blepharospasm and he was willing to give it a try.
This device was fitted on July 7th and I am delighted to report that the effect of the splint was immediate i.e. violent eye closures and facial twitches stopped. Whereas I had to be guided by my wife through the London streets to my appointment with Dr Grossmann I walked freely on my own back to the Tube station even though there was torrential rain and thunderstorm.
The next day, July 8, I played three sets of tennis, singles again no violent eye closures, no multiple blinks but some partial gentle eyelid drooping, no worse than after the most successful Botox injection, but then I realised this was the Myasthenia.
I stress I can now watch T.V, drive and work without blinking and have no headaches.
The next stage is to contact my GP for Mestinon for Myasthenia.
If others wish to explore whether such a device might help them, they can contact Dr Patrick Grossmann on 0207 637 4969 and at :
patrick@patrickgrossmann.com www.patrickgrossmann.com
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Focal Dystonia (2) Understanding and Treatment as an emotional condition2by davescragg4,110 views
My sister is suffering with this... tell us more
RuthiePople 1 week ago
Well Mate,
As soon as I can gain an appointment, I'll be organising a splint. I left the military after 23 years because of this stinking problem. Could it really be that simple?
Thaks for your video. If this works I'll be giving my neurologist a call.
asop02 2 years ago