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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not waste a Doctors appt with this?

19 replies

LionessQueen · 15/04/2015 00:14

I've got a twitch in my eye. It's sporadic but started about 3 months ago. Twitches at least 5 times a day. Sometimes is lower down my cheek, for the first time tonight was in my eyebrow but is otherwise on the outer corner of my eyelid. Seems silly to take up an appt but it is getting right on my nerves and Nhs online says you should go to your gp for a prolonged twitch. Would you go??

OP posts:
passthewineplz · 15/04/2015 00:24

I'd prob go an have an eye test, then go to the dr's if everything ok with my vision

CallMeExhausted · 15/04/2015 00:40

I have had a twitch in my right eye for the better part of 30+ years. It never occurred to me to talk to my GP about it.

Hasn't killed me yet, I guess.

steff13 · 15/04/2015 01:02

I've always been told those twitches are stress-related.

f1fan2001 · 15/04/2015 01:13

Yes as it could be a symptom of something they can treat.

Doctors are there for the niggles as well as the serious stuff and sometimes the niggles turn out to be serious

inthenickoftime · 15/04/2015 06:03

I mentioned my twitch an appointment for something else an was told its a deficiency. Got given calcium tablets and I think it may be magnesium tablets too. Just google it and you will see Smile

pinningwobble · 15/04/2015 06:45

I had a twitch recently. Think it was stress related. Also cutting down on caffeine helped!

I wouldn't worry unless you have other symptoms.

RokensWife · 15/04/2015 07:16

I went to the doctor with my twitchy eye / cheek. It was a symptom of the huge amount of stress I was under. There are things they can do to help them so I don't think you'd be wasting an appointment at all x

EstRusMum · 15/04/2015 07:59

Mine was always caused by lack of sleep. Apparently 3 hours a night is not enough. I learned to sleep longer and it stopped.

Amber76 · 15/04/2015 08:03

I heard it's a sign of zinc deficiency

mangoespadrille · 15/04/2015 08:24

I wouldn't have gone a year ago but would now. Last summer I had severe hyperemisis (hospitalised 6 times) and had to cancel a holiday. I needed a form from my GP to claim the cost back in travel insurance. They wouldn't complete it unless I booked an appointment for them to do it! I felt awful doing it and was mortified sat in the waiting room but I really needed the money back.

Also, watch the channel 5 programme about GP surgeries on catch up - you wouldn't believe how many people go just for a chat. Seriously, you have a genuine problem - go!

Purplefrogeatsalily · 15/04/2015 08:30

If you are concerned enough to post here, go to the GP. It's getting on your nerves and has been going on for three months- they won't think you're time wasting.

MrsLemonLyman · 15/04/2015 08:31

If it's bugging you, make an appointment. GPs handle all sorts off issues, big and small.

FWIW, any time I've gotten an eye twitch it has been related to stress and/or too much caffeine. Sometimes it can take a couple of weeks to stop even after a stressful period.

Sallystyle · 15/04/2015 08:32

My husband has months where he gets a twitch in his eye, which can last all day long.

It seems stress related. He never went to see a GP but it is probably something I would bring up at my next appointment.

PeppermintCrayon · 15/04/2015 08:54

I had a twitch in my eye like this once. Went to an acupuncturist and it was gone in one apt. I have no idea how sticking a needle in my knee could have helped and I know it sounds like a load of old woo but it worked. Never came back either.

MNpostingbot · 15/04/2015 09:09

Random suggestion, but are you drinking a lot of coffee?

I get the odd twitch around my eye area when I've overdone the coffee, goes when I ease off for a few days.

Not saying it isn't anything else, but I know of a couple of people with similar symptoms that went when easing off on the caffeine

MNpostingbot · 15/04/2015 09:09

That said - I drink a lot of coffee when stressed! So might be a stress thibg

Original poster
LionessQueen · 15/04/2015 21:28

Thanks for the replies.

Not been drinking any coffee, and no more tea than normal, but I will start drinking decaf.

I've just gone back to work after mat leave so am very stressed, I'm guessing it's that.

If it doesn't calm down i'll mention it at my next docs appt (if I can ever get one, but that's a whole other story!)

OP posts:
velocitykate · 16/04/2015 22:53

it's called myokymia and is completely harmless (although often very annoying!). It is made worse by stress, lack of sleep, alcohol and caffeine. It can happen anywhere in the body, but the eyelid (upper or lower) is the most common. I've had them in my thumb before now, and also (really curiously) in my muscles on the side of my head.

What annoys me the most, is that I can feel it, but when I put a finger or hand there to confirm I'm not going mad, it stops!

RaggyAnnie · 16/04/2015 23:20

Another one here that gets this when I am stressed/exhausted.

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