Synkinesis 4 months

[Karenthehair]

Hi all, I’ve had synkenisis now since November, had Bells in June, to be honest it seems to be not as bad now as it was in December (maybe stress at Christmas) I try to massage my face every day but my eye still waters when I eat and still slightly screws up while chewing, but all the symptoms are there, squidgy cheek, dimple in the chin, twitches, sore face, smaller eye on affected side, Doc referred me to the local hospital but alas they basically said there was no one there to help and to go back to my GP and I may have to go private??? Seriously! I pay my N.I ? I got an appointment tomorrow with GP and I know il break down if I have to go private! The whole thing is getting me down now! Any advice is greatly appreciated ☺️

[Hidden]

Your symptoms sound exactly like mine. My Bells also started last June and have resulted in Synkinesis as you describe. At my request, my GP referred me to the specialist Facial Palsy clinic in East Grinstead last August. It was a long wait for my first appointment in January but well worth it. The condition is taken seriously , investigated carefully and specialist facial physio provided.

It is not local to me and many patients travel many miles but I am off there again today - even tried to get to an appointment in the snowstorm !

Please investigate online as GPS meet the condition only rarely and mine did not know about any clinics until I told him (it is an NHS provision ).

[Karenthehair in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much, my first G.P had never heard of synkinesis! I didn’t know it was so rare, think my nearest place is Manchester, fingers crossed will mention it today, good luck also to you today.

[lorraine-t in reply to Karenthehair]

Hi. Facial Palsy UK can give you a list of your nearest specialists if your GP is unsure where they are.

[Karenthehair in reply to lorraine-t]

Mmm I will take a look, thanks Lorraine ☺️

[Indygirl25 in reply to Karenthehair]

Hi there,

I’m from the US, and treatment for Bell’s Palsy is steroids and anti viral drugs. Once given those things, if your Bell’s Palsy doesn’t go away after 3 months, nobody seems to know what to do.

I’ve had Bell’s Palsy for 2.5 years, and have researched the heck out of it. Thankfully, I’ve found some competent people who have helped me along the way. Here’s my question: what do your people in the UK generally do to help with synkinesis? Every specialist here says, “No way” to electrostim, but I’ve read some research that says it’s helpful for those with chronic Bell’s Palsy.

Can you tell me what your general protocol is for synkinesis?

Thanks so much!

[Hidden in reply to Indygirl25]

The approach here is physio from a trained specialist in facial physio. This may be accompanied by Botox into the relevant muscles for your particular difficulties.

[Indygirl25 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, Arty. Getting someone who specializes in facial physio is very difficult to find. They all mean well, but really do nothing to help me at this point in my recovery.