Re: Blinking versus Closure
Hi Scott,
I don't have frequent blinking. I don't think that I ever did. I have spasms and forceful closure and squinting and squeezing of the lids.Shirley in AR.
Re: Blinking versus Closure
Same her Shirley. Sometimes my eyelids just drift closed and I have to will them open and at other times it is a forceful closure. Either way - can't see!!
Re: Blinking versus Closure
When my injections don't work very well or are wearing off, I blink a lot, so much I can't see. Of course my eyes squint & spash also.
Billie
Re: Blinking versus Closure
Hi Scott,
I was diagnosed a year ago. The doctor (Neuro) who administers my Botox injection said that I have a "closing" type rather than a "blinking" type. He said that my kind is more resistant to Botox. I am like you in that my eyes are either open or shut. And I never know when they will shut, except for when I enter into brightly lit places or the full sunshine.Marie in Florida the Sunshine State
Re: Blinking versus Closure
Hi Scott,
I was diagnosed a year ago. The doctor (Neuro) who administers my Botox injection said that I have a "closing" type rather than a "blinking" type. He said that my kind is more resistant to Botox. I am like you in that my eyes are either open or shut. And I never know when they will shut, except for when I enter into brightly lit places or the full sunshine.Marie in Florida the Sunshine State
Re: Blinking versus Closure
I had blinking as I drove, watched TV or was in bright light as my first symptoms in Jan. 99. That lasted only a few months and then progressed to forceful closure of left eye and then hard spasms which involved both eyes. I really don't blink that way anymore, they just squeeze slam shut or close now.
Re: Blinking versus Closure
Re: Blinking versus Closure
Thank you for your repliesAnother useful bit of info for the various Drs who seem to qeustion the BEB because of the lack of the blinks. Scott
Re: Blinking versus Closure
I'm a blinker. But I also have problems with squinting. I'm not sure I'd know a spasm if I had one.Virginia in AL
Re: Blinking versus Closure
Hi Virginia.
I am a blinker and squinter also. Eyes do not close and stay closed. Sometimes I squeeze them but believe that is a part of the squinting. Do you have any head bobbing when you squint?
Regards,
Pat Soulia in PA
Re: Blinking versus Closure
I haven't noticed my head bobbing - it might though. Sometimes there's so much going on I don't notice it all.
Re: Blinking versus Closure
Dear Friends, I have hemi facial spasms, and that is what happens to me, spasms, no forceable closeure or slamming shut. Hope this helps someone. Edith in Ohio
Re: Blinking versus Closure
Back before I was diagnosed I described my eye closing like a magnet is in my lids and just pulls them shut, I have no control over the closing or opening. I had to fight to open them, always have. After I started Botox treatment, they began to close more forcefully, clamp shut and squeeze. During this fight/battle/struggle to open my eyes, I have started making noises in my throat and my husband tells me my head bobs up and down. I am not conscious of that part myself. Joyce in NC
Re: Blinking versus Closure
scott, i have both the symptoms shirley and kelly have, AS well as excessive blinking at times. anotherwords the full gamut.
Re: Blinking versus Closure
Hi Scott,I have frequent blinking versus exsessive blinking as I did when I started out with this disorder. I also have spasms, forceful closure of the eyes, squinting and squeezing of the lids. My eyes are rarely fully open. Christel in Ca.
Re: Blinking versus Closure
My difficulties actually began with light sensitivity. Then my eyelids
started "fluttering" with excessive blinking. Now they close every so
often and squeeze a bit but I notice more problem with my facial grimacing and also my irregular breathing pattern. While the botox is
active in the eye muscles the other muscle spasms are more evident.
Sometimes when my eyes close my head turns to the floor--probably as a
response to the light and spasm more than a neck problem. I just got
a second opinion from a movement disorder specialist who is recommending
not only eye injections, but some other areas around the face (forehead, upper cheek) with a small amount in the neck to relax those outer neck muscles. This may possibly help relax the breathing irregularity but won't know that till I try. I am finding out there are lots of different bandaids but that's about it. Joanne M. San Diego, CA
Bandaids
I tried a new one today. I got injections along my jaw and in my neck. We'll see what they do.Virginia in AL
Re: Bandaids
Virginia, any relief yet from neck injections? It might still be too early to determine. By the way, were they across the front, on the sides or what? any side effects?Thanks. Joanne M. San Diego, CA
Re: Bandaids
I can tell that the Botox is kicking in. The tightness in my jaws has improved, but I can't feel much improvement in my neck. This was just the first set, I think I'm going to get him to do them a little differently next time if they don't do the job. Of course, he couldn't see where I needed the injections - my neck was behaving for him.Virginia in AL
Re: Blinking versus Closure
It is really helpful in comprehending this condition if you can have a good videotape made of yourself when you are in spasm. Otherwise you can't see yourself blink (duh!). What I observed about my self is that the facial "mask" - that part that would be covered by the Lone Ranger's mask - is involved, not just the eyelids but brows and cheeks. I get the usual amount of eyelid-only blinking - probably 10 times per minute of 1/10 of a second - but when I am in full BEB mode (ie between shots) my eyes close for 2 to 5 seconds at a time, which makes driving really adventuresome.It doesn't take a lot of effort to get what you want. Borrow a video camera, sit down in good light, turn it on, and hold your eyelashes down while trying to open your eyes. This will send your lids into full spasm mode when you let go, and you will get a good short video to show your Dr. next time you go. (Murphy's law says you will NEVER spasm in the Dr.s office. Well, almost never.) --- Lynn
Re: Blinking versus Closure
My problem has been mainly blinking. Just recently I've been having the squeezing sensation. I forcefully hold my eyes open to read or watch a little TV, but then they get so dry. My blinking bothered for a couple of years which I noticed only while driving. I was diagnosed with Bleph in the fall of '99, but had been to several drs. for a couple of yrs. prior to that. By the way, I'm 65 & very thankful I've had a good life. I feel so sorry for you young folks who are raising families. Let's hope a cure is not far off. Joann in Ark.
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