Hello all!
I was diagnosed with a left occipital lobe AVM and after five embozilatios, that shrinked it but didn’t obliterate it, I had cyberknife in November 2023. Since the beginning of this month I’ve been experiencing very frequent involuntary spasms on the left side of my face. They are quite annoying since they last some time. The radiation therapist who performed the cyberknife doesn’t think they are related to the cyber knife or the AVM, however she proposed having a MRI sooner than scheduled. Has anybody experienced something like that after cyber/gamma knife? Strangely enough, it would be comforting to know that it’s due to that… Thank you for reading!
Hi Lucy, my first question would be if you trust your Dr.? I would certainly take their opinion first. Often spasms, or muscle cramping, are related to hydration. While there are a lot of other reasons, hydration may be the most common. I think, and being no expert, that if cyber was going to impact a side, it would be the opposite to your AVM location. I can’t offer much more, but hopefully the MRI is soon and can have a look and see if something else may be involved. Take Care, John.
Thank you very much for your reply!
Dear Lucy,
I’m sorry to hear about your facial spasms. Frequent, involuntary neurological activity is more than annoying. It’s discouraging and downright disruptive.
I started having spasms eight months after my cyberknife surgery. My AVM was in my left parietal lobe very near my motor strip, which controls the right side of my body. My spasms have affected mostly, but not exclusively, my right lower extremity. On occasion, they happen on my contralateral (right) side. Ten years have passed. I’m still getting them, but I am happy to report that they have become much less frequent and bothersome. Muscle relaxers are available and help many people. Unfortunately, I cannot tolerate their side effects. So, I avoid them. Here is a list of remedies that have helped me and might also help you.
- Weekly professional massage and chiropractic adjustments
- Physical therapy (yes, there is PT for your face)
- Acupuncture
- Botox injections
- Anti inflammatory diet rich in healthy fats and antioxidants and low in refined sugar, caffeine and trans fats.
- Heat therapy. I use warm rice bags. Cold compresses might also help you.
- Regular exercise (which they would instruct you on in PT. Also, look up face yoga)
- Magnesium supplement. I use a topical one. You might prefer taking a magnesium chew instead of using a balm since it’s on your face.
- Fish oil supplement (more healthy fat to reduce inflammation)
I’m glad you’re getting a brain MRI. It’s important to rule out any unknowns that may be contributing to or causing your spasms. If, after everything, it remains a mystery, don’t despair. There is hope 
Take good care.
I have to say that my daughter had side effects after her gamma knife and the drs insist that it wasn’t related. Only. Thing is, prior to the gk she didn’t have those symptoms…
Hi Lucy,
I too started having spasms about 3 months after gamma knife , all over my body, and still have them 6 years later! Now only at night although nowhere near as often and they are more of a vibration now. I ended up seeing a neurologist about them who didn’t know why I was having them but said they weren’t serious and didn’t think it was to do with the gk although I think they must be as I never had them before.
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