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Ptosis and Headaches
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Ptosis and Headaches

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Ptosis and Headaches

  • Post
    • February 13, 2017 at 10:23 pm
    Christine.P
    Participant

      Hey, everyone. I am wondering if others have experiences ptosis (drooping eyelid) with headaches while on ipi/nivo or nivo alone. I am stage 4 and was able to complete 3 of 4 doses of ipi/nivo (the last of which was in September 2016). I have been on nivo for over a year. (Long stroy re: why my ipi/nivo combo was done halfway into my first year of treatment; I'll spare you that here.)

      For the last couple of months I've noticed that my left eyelid is quite droopy but didn't really think anything of it. I just attributed it to being a 53-year-old woman until my oncologist noticed it at my last treatment. An MRI of the brain was clear (whew!) but now I will be seeing a neuro-oncologist on the 21st. Am I safe to assume no brain mets since the MRI was clear? 

      I have always been prone to headached (including migraines with and without aura), so I hadn't thought much of the recent headaches either. I'm curious if they can be connected to the ptosis. 

      I know I will eventually get answers, but like most of us, I like to know as much as I can before I go into the neuro appointment – if only to be able to ask intelligent questions. I have tried searching for ptosis as a side effect of nivo, etc. but can't find much. 

      Has anyone else experienced anything similar? If so, what caused yours? What did they do to treat it (if anything)? Any shared experience or advice is welcome. 

      Thank you. 

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        • February 13, 2017 at 11:43 pm
        debwray
        Participant

          Hi Christine,

          Think I read somewhere that in rare cases a side effect can be bells palsy _a one sided facial muscle weakness where the treatment is steroids which shortens the course of this problem which can run in families and is caused when a nerve is pinched or compressed due to inflammation . You may be dealing with this or something similar. The family thing is due to shared genetic bone structure which in some cases gives little room for inflammation.

          However, wouldn't want to jump to any conclusions.. Would let the docs make an assessment bit might think about writing down anything out of the ordinary symptom wise before the consult as I often come away and think I have missed mentioning something that might be relevant.

          Hope you get answers shortly and that it is easily treated.. Along with the melanoma..

          Best wishges

          Deb

          • February 13, 2017 at 11:43 pm
          debwray
          Participant

            Hi Christine,

            Think I read somewhere that in rare cases a side effect can be bells palsy _a one sided facial muscle weakness where the treatment is steroids which shortens the course of this problem which can run in families and is caused when a nerve is pinched or compressed due to inflammation . You may be dealing with this or something similar. The family thing is due to shared genetic bone structure which in some cases gives little room for inflammation.

            However, wouldn't want to jump to any conclusions.. Would let the docs make an assessment bit might think about writing down anything out of the ordinary symptom wise before the consult as I often come away and think I have missed mentioning something that might be relevant.

            Hope you get answers shortly and that it is easily treated.. Along with the melanoma..

            Best wishges

            Deb

            • February 13, 2017 at 11:43 pm
            debwray
            Participant

              Hi Christine,

              Think I read somewhere that in rare cases a side effect can be bells palsy _a one sided facial muscle weakness where the treatment is steroids which shortens the course of this problem which can run in families and is caused when a nerve is pinched or compressed due to inflammation . You may be dealing with this or something similar. The family thing is due to shared genetic bone structure which in some cases gives little room for inflammation.

              However, wouldn't want to jump to any conclusions.. Would let the docs make an assessment bit might think about writing down anything out of the ordinary symptom wise before the consult as I often come away and think I have missed mentioning something that might be relevant.

              Hope you get answers shortly and that it is easily treated.. Along with the melanoma..

              Best wishges

              Deb

          Viewing 2 reply threads
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