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.