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What Causes Drooping Of Eyelid When Suffering From Sensory Neuropathy On Face?

Posted on Wed, 24 Dec 2014

Question: Hello, Basically I have sensory neuropathy in the right side of my face and my nose feels soooo heavy and tight constantly!! Also i have constant neuralgia in my teeth. Furthermore, the right side of my face doesnt look as tight and firm as it used to... is it because I may have muscle weakness? Because i noticed that my bottom eyelid looked like its drooped the tiniest bit and the edge of my eyebrow and the side of my nose! But my doctor tested my nerves in my face (puffing out cheeks, smiling etc) and she said its normal which means i have no muscle weakness but why would i have a slight change in the side of my face then??? Also, if it is from slight weakness is it possible to excersise my muscles with physical therapy to get them back to normal because my confidence has really gone, i dont feel the same me. Also, can this be caused by drink spiking?

Answered by Dr. Eris Ranxha (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Neurological examination

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I am sorry for the symptoms you are suffering
I carefully read about your symptoms and it seems you are suffering from different pathologies
You may have pain but it isn't call neuralgia.
It seems you are suffering from minor facial palsy, which is the seventh cranial nerve.
Don't worry too much, it is fully treatable and reversible
In my opinion you should consult your neurologist and the best way to determinate your right diagnose is ENG (blink reflex) which will absolutely show nerve play if it has been damaged
This pathologies aren't caused by drinking or eating, this is an absolute fact
Anyway to confirm the right diagnose so you can start the right treatment I strongly reccomend you to schedule a neurological examination and blink reflex
Hope my answer will help you and lead to the right diagnose
Wish you all the best
Stay healthy
Regards
Dr Eris Ranxha
Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Eris Ranxha (43 minutes later)

But i can move my muscles perfectly and ive had this for 4 months. my doctor said i have sensory neuropathy because when i touch my face i have pain in my teeth. maybe i have muscle weakness from neuropathy? also i have been to the dentist and my teeth are normal. everyone else says my face looks normal. what could it be?

Answered by Dr. Eris Ranxha (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Neurological examination

Detailed Answer:
Dear
as you describe it, it seems sensory neuropathy and probably a trigeminal branch
I think blink reflex will really help to determinate if facial nerve is damaged or not
Have you schedule brain MRI?
As your teeth haven't any pathologies it is just facial nerve palsy or trigeminal sensory branch damage( neurovasculur conflict)
Hope I have clarified your doubt

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Eris Ranxha (1 hour later)

I have had an MRI it came back normal.
Also, can weakness in the face be caused by motor neuropathy by the trigmenial motor nerve? Also, can the sensory neuropathy be caused by drink spiking such as drugs being put into an alcoholic drink? this is because i experienced these symptoms after i drank an alcoholic drink which I think might have been spiked with drugs.
I do not understand why the affected side looks bigger?? Could the sensory nerves be causing inflammation to make it look bigger? or has it drooped slightly? I dont know but i am so upset i just want my normal face back.
Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Eris Ranxha (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Don't worry too much

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I am really sorry for the symptoms you are suffering and I know you are upset right now
As MRI is normal you can be sure that nothing is going wrong or you aren't missing something which can cause you permanent damage
Unfortunately in medicine things aren't like in maths, not everything is understandable or can be explained
Anyway trigeminal can't cause weakness in the face that's why I was telling you that facial nerve must be examined (clinically and electrophysiology)
I know you want to find it cause but drinking (whatever it was) can't provoke trigeminal neuralgia either facial palsy
Inflamation of the nerve can explain that hemi-bigger face but it can't be caused by drinking
As a conclusion dear, a good appropriate neurological examination will determinate the damaged cranial nerve (helped by electrophysiology)
I can assure you that the clinical symptoms you are suffering won't be permanent as your brain MRI can back normal
Hope I had clarified your doubts
Don't hesitate to contact me for further question or queries
Wish you all the best
Regards
Dr Eris

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Eris Ranxha (18 hours later)

Thank you. Is there any way to make the right side of my face go back to normal??? is there treatment or anything. im so depressed because i dont like how the side of my face looks and I have read that people sometimes never recover. I can move my muscles and everything but ive noticed slight drooping.... please if there is any treatment for it please tell me! I am going to the doctor next week. But i just need reassurance that there is treatment for it to go back to normal or am i going to have to rely on surgergy?

Answered by Dr. Eris Ranxha (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You will be fine

Detailed Answer:
Dear
Whatever your diagnose will be it have remedy as brain MRI is normal
I don't see reason for surgery, just undertake blink reflex and neurological exam to be sure you aren't missing something
Best regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj