As long as I’ve had this condition I’ve felt swelling, throbbing and spasming behind my jaw, in my face, and behind my ear. My face feels hot, I’ll start sweating excessively and my sinuses feel congested.
Here’s a video I shot of what happens:
Have any of you had anything similar to this? The twitching and spasming are all involuntary. I’ve mentioned this to doctors but when I happen to visit with them I may not be presenting with symptoms that are as obvious as they are other times.
I just wanted to get some feedback on what is shown in this video.
That’s weird! Good that you’ve got it on film so you can at least show doctors… although doctors often do seem to get a bit scared off by the wacky ES symptoms! I hope that you can get some help!
I did google it quickly- it does say in one research piece that damage to peripheral nervous system can cause muscle twitches, so maybe damage to nerves in the area because of a styloid process could cause it?
‘Although rare cases of myoclonus are caused by an injury to the peripheral nerves (defined as the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, or the central nervous system), most myoclonus is caused by a disturbance of the central nervous system.’ https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Myoclonus-Fact-Sheetd
Thanks for the reply. I do wonder whether something like this is a symptom that can be related to Eagle Syndrome or if I should be looking at another cause?
I do believe that if either a nerve or artery were being impinged by the stylohyoid ligaments then it could produce a spasm like this. The doctors haven’t seen any vascular compression but it might just not be showing up on the scans.
There are instances where vascular compression isn’t a constant problem, only if your head is in the “wrong” position. For example, you could have no vascular compression occurring when you’re lying on your back w/ your eyes facing the ceiling while getting a CT scan, but if you were to have that same scan w/ your head turned to the right or left, vascular compression might then be revealed.
Your spasm is odd but consider that our cranial nerves are housed in the same area as the styloid processes & stylohyoid ligaments. There are several that are commonly irritated by elongation or calcification of these - vagus, hypoglossal, glossopharyngeal, & accessory. The last 3 innervate muscles in the area where you’re getting spasms, thus, your conclusion could be correct - nerve impingement might be the cause. I’m not ruling out vascular impingement, but if you had that, you would most likely be having additional disturbing symptoms as I suspect you’ve read about on this forum.
My goodness jrodefeld…that is an interesting symptom. I hope it isn’t too painful! The only thing similar here is the odd little twitches I have when I lay down for sleep. Lots of odd little twitches approx. 10 seconds apart. I think Isaiah may have it right in that it really depends on the positioning of your head and neck. Position greatly affects my many symptoms and probably yours as well. You probably already do this, but if not, try to be keenly aware of EVERYTHING when this happens and make notes. That’s what I have started doing.