Hemifacial Spasm

[livingwith]

I have had these spasms for several years and they have gradually gotten worse and worse. Of course the MRI was negative, and all labwork was also normal. It is very embarrassing when you are trying to talk to people (I find myself apologizing for it). My question is to everyone..Has anyone that has these spasms ever taken Effexor in the past? These spasms for me started after I was on high doses of Effexor. I was wondering if there is a connection to the two.
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[kathyk]

I developed left hemifacial spasm about 2-3 years ago. I had the left eye spasms for years before that time. I also had been on SSRIs (like Effexor but not Effexor in particular) for about 7 years. The spasms got really bad while on the SSRI. I didn't put the 2 together until I decided to wean myself off of it and also wean off all supplements I was taking. When I was off the SSRI completely, the symptoms considerably cut down. For 6 months now I have been totally off the SSRI and my spasms are very, very minimal. My husband doesn't notice them anymore. I am still aware of little spasms but nothing disfiguring like before. I also have been taking for 6 months a magnesium supplement called Slo-Mag, which I get at Walgreens. I take it twice a day. The neurologist I went to believes this kind of bathes the nerve fibers and keeps them from "firing." In any case, it really seems to work well and I will continue this regimen. I believe that SSRIs do trigger something in the brain to make these spasms happen. Maybe some people are just more susceptible to this rarity.

[deajay2874]

Hello everyone:

I know exactly how you all feel as I am at the breaking point with this annoying illness. And to make things worse, I am currently laid off/unemployed without any health insurance to remedy the problem. I am desperately hoping to secure FT work soon with affordable health benefits, however during the interim, I am worried about be embarrassed going on job interviews. I have worked in the past as a substitute teacher with kids constantly asking me what's wrong with my face...which has shied me away from the whole working in public--including the interview process thing, which I know will ultimately lead me to nowhere if I don't land a job soon. I just pray that if I am able to secure an interview, that I can make it through the interview process without my hemifacial spasm frightening the interviewer away, and possibly not getting a job at all, as they may assume that I could be a potential health insurance risk/liability. During the interim, I have been taking classes online, as I do not want to deal with being in the classroom doing presentations with my face going through its twitching/hemifacial spasm stage that has been ongoing for the past 5-6 years and worsening by the week….Sigh!......

Take care,

/dsb

[NHPackerfan]

When you go on a job interview, explain up front what the problem is -- it relieves anxiety for both you and the interviewer.

In fact, that is usually the best course in any situation. I was most comfortable if people didn't try to ignore it, if I told them right away what was happening to my face -- people are supportive and usually generally interested -- after all, it IS a rare condition that few people have heard of, and even fewer have seen in real life.

Good luck! When you get health benefits again -- have you considered having the MVD surgery to permanently get rid of the spasms?