Hi Barbara,
I have tried acupuncture but didn't really give it a fair trial. I went about 4 or 5 visits. I saw no change in my symptoms and my insurance didn't cover it and it was $60 a visit. $120 for initial visit and she wanted me to come twice a week. I couldn't afford it and she made the mistake of lying to me. Initially told me that she didn't know anything about Blepharospasm and then on my last visit told me that her mother had it and had used botox and it had paralyzed half of her face. She practically was forbidding me to get the botox injections. I didn't go back.I did try upper cervical specific chiropractics for 9 months. I didn't notice any change or improvement in symptoms with that either. Initially saw him 3 times a week for a month, then twice a week for another couple of months and then once a week for the remainder of the time. My insurance did cover that after I had met my deductible.
I have not had an EMG test done. I did inquire about having it done for placement of my injections. My Movement disorder specialist said that it wasn't necessary. I don't believe that an EMG test is done very often to confirm a diagnosis of BEB. It is not to my knowledge. You could contact the BEBRF in Texas and pose that question to them. The EMG is more commonly used with the other dystonias for placement of injections.
Welcome to the bulletin board
Shirley in AR.
You are definitely not alone. Someone is always here and usually you will get a fairly quick answer from someone. I'm sure that others will post to your questions. Ask what ever you like. We have a "Mindy" that is from NY and also a "Mary".
Shirley in AR.
--modified by Shirley-Arkansas-USA at Sun, Jun 17, 2001, 20:20:43