What Causes Involuntary Movements In Jaw Area?

Posted on Sat, 27 Jun 2015

Question: I just had an incident with my jaw. not pain, but almost like I was chewing - it felt like when your eye twitches. I had it a few days ago, but about 5-6 seconds, but this time it was more severe and lasted about a minute and a half.

Answered by Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Features are suggestive of Meige's syndrome.

Detailed Answer:

Dear ma'am, Hi
Welcome to HCM.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and hope my suggestions could be useful to you in getting the treatment for your problem.

You have some sort of abnormal involuntary movements involving your eyes and the muscles of mastication, this is referred to as Meige's syndrome or Segmental craniocervical dystonia.

Blephrospasm (eye twitches) with involuntary lower facial and masticatory movements may also include lip pursing, chewing, jaw thrusting, jaw opening, and jaw closing/clenching.

I am of the opinion that you should consult a neurologist for proper evaluation and treatment which may involve the use of medications such as Anticholinergics (trihexyphenidyl and benztropine) or Benzodiazepines (clonazepam, lorazepam) or Baclofen.

Hope the suggestion given above could be of great help in getting the treatment for your present illness.

Should you need more clarification, please feel free to send the query.
Wishing you best of your health.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar