Have you ever heard of Hemifacial spasms? It is a condition that affects one side of the face in most cases and for me, has also affected my quality of life and the way I look. There are many times, this 58 year old mother and grandmother doesn’t want anyone to see me because my face is distorted when my injections wear off! I have not uploaded any photos of me personally. But from the uploaded images, one can see what is occurring with my face… and why i do not to upload a picture of myself. I promise you, i am real and not trying to scam anyone. I just need help to fix this problem.
Although the trouble with my facial nerve started several years ago, nobody really knew what was wrong. It took me a long time to go to the doctor and seek answers because the spasms would often stop on their own. But they became progressively worse with time First though, I was misdiagnosed. Three years ago, the problem with my nerve got worse and the spasms simply wouldn’t stop. I was given medications that simply didn’t work. The medications were increased and still no improvement. But that’s because the diagnosis was wrong. It got to the point reading was nearly impossible because of the spasms that affected my right eye. I wanted to read, but the twitching and spasms around my eye were constant and so reading was nearly impossible at times.
In December of 2023, I was finally diagnosed with hemifacial spasms by a neurologist on the right side of my face. He assured me that the medications I had been taking work wonderfully for most people suffering from the wrong diagnosis I had been given. But those medications do nothing for hemifacial spasms. Finally I had an answer and things started to look better for my future. The correct medications and treatment plan were put into place and my life improved.
The first medication I was given for muscle spasms did very little, but it took the edge off a little. I was able to read for short periods of time, but the spasms didn’t stop. The spasms have not stopped since March 2021! The neurologist had me start botox injections. (They aren’t just to make a person look younger.) Botox is the best treatment option as long as it is tolerated and continues to work. But, the Botox injections in my face are extremely painful, and there is a lot of bruising that occurs afterward. The neurologist usually injects me with 30 to 40 injections in my face with Botox, which serves to somewhat paralyze the nerve. The injections last 9-10 weeks. Then I have to do it all over again. While some may find Botox to not be painful, I find it extremely painful and I spend up to three weeks looking as if I got into a big fight because i bruise afterwards.
My next alternative is to have surgery, which constitutes actual brain surgery. I need to raise funds to help pay for my surgery and some aftercare while recovering. I am single and help care for my 88 year old mother who still lives at home. Not having a job or career is not an option.
Although I have a good career, I am not able to afford all of this right now. I am asking for help. Help for expenses for the actual surgery and physician bills, as well as help for the hotels and fuel that will take me to the opposite side of the state for the surgery in Omaha. I will have several trips both before, at the time of, and after the surgery.
May you all be blessed as I thank you for the donation, be it big or small. My goal is to simply feel better (and read a long novel). My dream is to pay it forward to others in need once I have recovered.
