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What Causes Twitching In Upper Left Hand, Lips And Headache On Left Side?

Posted on Tue, 24 May 2016

Question: I've been having twitching in the upper left-hand corner of my lip off and on for the last several days. This morning I awoke with a bad headache/earache on the left side of my head as well. This morning, the twitching of my lip has moved over to the right a bit. Should I be concerned about these symptoms?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, you should definitely concern about these symptoms.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, you should definitely concern with these symptoms.
Following are the possible causes for your symptoms.
1. Migraine
2. Vitamin b 12 deficiency
3. Mild stroke (cerebrovascular accident - CVA).
Please let me know
1. Do you have hypertension or diabetes or other comorbities?
2. Are you having stressful life?
3. Exactly since how many days you are having these symptoms?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (10 minutes later)

I recently went to a cardiologist for tachycardia, underwent extensive testing, & have been told my heart is fine. I did have Bell's Palsy several years ago. I don't have diabetes or hypertension, nor am I under stress. I do have some kind of undiagnosed autoimmune problem. I've had the twitching upper left-hand lip for about 4 or 5 days off & on. I have dealt with headaches on the left side of my head for several years. I also have fibromyalgia.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Have you ever undergone vitamin b 12 level testing?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
You are having auto immune disease in background.
On longer run this can worsen and gives similar symptoms.
Other cause can be vitamin b 12 deficiency.
So please let me know
1. Do you have joint pain?
2. Do you have any skin or oral mucosa lesions?
3. Do you smoke?
4. Have you ever undergone vitamin b 12 level testing?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (34 minutes later)

I have been experiencing some pain in my joints, especially my knees. My face is broken out currently with a bunch of red patches, somewhat like pimples, but they hurt. I do not smoke, & I have not undergone B 12 level testing.

I really appreciate your help & insight!

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Is menopause achieved or not?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
So joint pain, skin lesions and your facial symptoms etc might be due to worsening of underlying autoimmune disease.
Another important factor I forget to ask you is about menstrual history.
You are in post menopausal phase.
So please let me know
1. Are you still having menstrual periods?
2. Is menopause achieved or not?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (5 hours later)

I had a complete hysterectomy over 10 years ago, so, yes, I achieved menopause quite some time ago.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Have you ever undergone hormonal study?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
So you are post menopausal woman.
Hormonal imbalance can be seen after menopause and this can give rise to similar symptoms.
So we need to rule out this first.
So please let me know
1. Have you ever undergone hormonal study?
2. Do you weakness, easy fatigue, mood swings etc?
3. When did your last check up for auto immune diseases?
4. Are you taking or had taken any treatment for this?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (8 minutes later)

I have undergone a hormonal study & am on hormone replacement medication. I do tire easily but I have fibromyalgia, too. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease several years ago. What sort of testing could be done to check up on that? I am on a low-dose (4.5 mg) of Naltrexone that has been helping me immensely with pain, etc.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Are you asking for fibro myalgia or CTD?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
Sorry to say but I can't get your last reply.
Testing for which diseases you were talking about? Is it for fibro myalgia or for connective tissue diseases (CTD)?
Naltrexone is opioid antagonist. It is used for opioid dependence, toxicity etc.
So I am still wondering why you are taking naltrexone.
Please let me know these things, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 hours later)

I was just asking if you thought I should undergo further autoimmune disease testing for some reason.

As for why I'm on low-dose Naltrexone, perhaps this article might provide further insight: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC0000/. I've copied the first few lines of this article: "Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) has been demonstrated to reduce symptom severity in conditions such as fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and complex regional pain syndrome. We review the evidence that LDN may operate as a novel anti-inflammatory agent in the central nervous system, via action on microglial cells. These effects may be unique to low dosages of naltrexone and appear to be entirely independent from naltrexone’s better-known activity on opioid receptors."

I have often wondered if all of my symptoms combined are indicative of something like MS or some other autoimmune disease. It does seem that I'll have "flare-ups" of symptoms at times and then at other times I'm relatively fine.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Ok, you can continue Naltrexone.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
No need to worry for MS.
MS is having very peculiar MRI findings which is not seen in your case, so no need to worry for MS.
In my opinion, you should get done repeat ANA profile. In this, antibodies will be identified if present. On the basis of this, type of autoimmune disease can be diagnosed.
ANA profile is gold standard and diagnostic for autoimmune diseases.
So you should get done this.
Please let me know
1. Have you ever undergone ANA profile?
2. Which investigation you had in the past for autoimmune disease?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (40 minutes later)

Hmmm, I did have some kind of autoimmune testing done several years ago, but I couldn't say for sure what the particular test was. It just showed positive for autoimmune disease. Is there a particular specialist I should see (i.e., neurologist, etc.), or can my family doctor order the ANA profile testing?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Better to consult rheumatologist.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Instead of family doctor, you should consult rheumatologist. Rheumatologist are the doctors who practice only autoimmune disease.
Better to first get done ANA profile and if it is indicative of CTD then consult rheumatologist.
Why you sounds so low and depressed? Sorry if I am getting personal.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (5 minutes later)

Oh, I didn't realize that I sounded low or depressed. I've been dealing with these symptoms for several years now. The twitching of the lip was new, so I wanted to see if I could get some answers. You've been very helpful -- I really appreciate it! :)

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for your kind words.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I am caring for you and you sounded very low, so just asked about it.
No need to worry. You are a strong person. You will definitely come out of it.
And thanks for your kind words. It's always encouraging for doctors to hear positive feedback from patients.
I know some of the doctors in US and UK who specialize in CTD s.
I can give you reference for this.
Please let me know where you are living, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar