Hemifacial Spasms beginning 6 months Post CK in Jan 2022

[UkulelesAreAwesome]

I had gamma knife in August 2022. Around April 2023 I noticed minor twitching with my left eye and left side of my mouth. In 2024 I started to have facial spasms near the left eye, left cheek, left side of my mouth, and below the mouth on the left side. It's worse in the morning. Brushing my teeth aggravates it. Tension in my neck and shoulders aggravates it. Too much physical activity makes it worse. I have not been prescribed anything for it. Botox was mentioned if it continues. I've found it helpful to use an icepack on my head and neck. I also noticed the use of a TENS unit has been helpful. If I place the electrode pad on my shoulder it seems to help a lot and it's either relaxing the muscle or affecting the nerve. It seems to help decrease spasms. I have not found anything that helps with the increased head pressure or increased tinnitus.

[mwatto]

I have found magnesium with a tiny bit of taurine powder (tip of the scoop in it)  helps my eye twitches- also a warm compress. I feel my eye twitches may be dry eye related.

[CK2023]

I feel like taurine is the solution for my facial spasms. I take 1 gram as soon as I wake up, if I don't they will start within 20 minutes.  I take another gram in the afternoon.

[Dlip246]

Hello everyone - It's been way too long since I have updated the forum.  I am doing this with the hope that it gives some people a little insight into these facial cramping/contractions that I am experiencing.  I am just over 3 years post CK.  I had little side effects (some light headedness) afterwards until 6 months post treatment.  That's when these terrible involuntary facial cramping/contractions started to occur.  Please read back to my previous posts to get the chronology of all I have tried to get better.  I am not thrilled to say that I am still going through it.  The good news is the "events" have lessened to 0-3 a day depending on the circumstances.  They can be triggered by sneezing, laughing, yawning, rubbing my eyes, but mostly by getting worked up emotionally or with exercise.  We believe the nerve is still swollen and gets triggered (it even happens in my sleep).  So, yes, this is better than the 20/day when it first started, but unfortunately, I don't see any permanent relief in sight.

I will keep you posted with any new updates or progress.

As always, if anyone has any questions please post here or feel free to DM me and we will connect!  Information sharing is very important!