Eyelids closing uncontrollably?

[gazdajl]

Has anyone else had situations, where their eyelids, or eyes, just start closing uncontrollably? (it seems to be when I have driven for more than an hour...but it happens other times, too)

It can get dangerous if driving at the time. It doesn't seem to last but a few minutes, but it is definitely uncontrollable, on my part. I pull off the road if it is becoming a safety issue. Has anyone else had this issue? Thanks, all. Jan.

[Pipes123]

I am not a health care professional, but I think the technical name for this is blepharospasm. I have read that it can happen with ms.

[rdmc]

Has anyone else had situations, where their eyelids, or eyes, just start closing uncontrollably? (it seems to be when I have driven for more than an hour...but it happens other times, too)

It can get dangerous if driving at the time. It doesn't seem to last but a few minutes, but it is definitely uncontrollable, on my part. I pull off the road if it is becoming a safety issue. Has anyone else had this issue? Thanks, all. Jan.

I have one sided facial spasms as a result of a certain lesion.

When your eye automatically closes, it's called blepharospasm.

It is not exclusive to MS. It's a dystonia and many folks without MS have this, but it can also be one of the dystonias that are secondary to MS (i.e. your MS is causing it.)

Here's a wikipedia page on Blepharospasm (if the mods allow it...if not google it for yourself.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blepharospasm

There are meds that can be used to lessen the spasm. You can take them on an as needed basis. They also can use botox if the spasm is unrelenting.

The whole side of my face and tongue spasms, I use a low dose of med to keep it at bay, and have extra meds should it get full blown for a length of time.

If this is happening when you're driving, and you have it in one eye, not too big a problem (although your depth perception will be off.) I've never had it in both eyes, mine is restricted to the left side of my face...but I'd very definitely be speaking with my neuro if you're having involuntary spasm and closing of both eyes.

Hope you get some answers.

[gazdajl]

Thanks to Pipes, and RDMC!

I have heard that term before...will research it some more, and will add it to my (long!) list of symptoms, for the Neuro, on Tuesday.

I was trying to recollect, if it happens to both eyes, or one...I think it has varied...sometimes the right only, sometimes both...really not sure, tho. It is hard, for me, to not have both close, automatically...they just seem to work together.

Pipes...I am sorry that the whole side of your face is affected...no fun! Glad some meds help a bit.

Anyway, thanks all! Love and Light! Jan.

[seal]

rdmc: I have an appointment with a "Movement Specialist" in a few weeks for Dystonia.

My eyelid closes, lower lip droops, couple of other issues Neuro is relating to dystonia.

May I ask what type of meds they have given you for dystonia? Antispasm, sedative??

Thanks

[rdmc]

rdmc: I have an appointment with a "Movement Specialist" in a few weeks for Dystonia.

My eyelid closes, lower lip droops, couple of other issues Neuro is relating to dystonia.

May I ask what type of meds they have given you for dystonia? Antispasm, sedative??

Thanks

I take a low dose benzo, 3 times a day, for the dystonia, plus Baclofen.

Botox is also recommended for certain dystonias...it hasn't
been an option in my situation.

But I've been very pleased with the low dose benzo a few times a day and I also take extra Baclofen (I have a pump but it only helps the areas of spasticity below the catheter)...so I take extra oral baclofen for the upper body/facial spasticity. The symptoms are still there, but they're more like background noise, and I can live with that.

Dystonias are funny, you may be able to find a "sensory trick" that helps ease your dystonia temporarily. In fact a neuro will sometimes use one of these "tricks" to distinguish dystonia from other disorders. I have a little plastic stick that I can hold in my lips when my dystonia is really acting up, and it will calm things down and quiet the spasms. You can google "sensory tricks for dystonia" and may come up with one to help with your symptoms.

Hope you find some answers at the movement disorder doc, and let us know what he/she has to say.

[seal]

Thanks rdmc for your help! You've given me hope there is something that may help (this issue, at least