MVD surgery for Hemifacial Spasms

Posted by skullzmarie @skullzmarie, Apr 27, 2017

I just recently had microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasms. Tomorrow will be 1 week post-op. I have been told to expect nausea and dizziness because of the part of the brain where the surgery is performed. Surgery went well with no complications. I'm struggling with continued nausea and vomiting when I eat. Yesterday, I was diagnosed with a UTI after having a yoyoing fever, cold chills, hot sweats, and tremors (we believe the tremors are stress induced from surgery). I had a complete work up and was given nausea meds and antibiotics. I had nausea but was able to hold food down yesterday for the first time. The nausea meds made me sick last night. Today, I have taken my pain medication only once. But I am concerned about the vomiting. I plan on speaking with the neurosurgeon tomorrow about the continued vomiting. Today, I have noticed a change in taste. My meds taste normal than wierd. My lunch tasted normal at first then it begain to taste off. This evening, I noticed I will occasionally taste the saline solution that was used to flush my IV. I'm wondering what others have experienced. How long does the nausea and vomiting last for most people? What side effects have you had? I'm so frustsrated and ready to complete this recovery. Please, please, share your experience with me. I'm starting to wonder if the surgery was really worth it...the way that I'm feeling. Thank you for your time.

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Michelles123 | @michelles123 | Jan 12, 2019

In reply to @michelles123 "John - Thank you for the article. Michelle" + (show)

John - it just shows a paragraph or two and asks for $35 to view.
Any suggestions?
Michelle

Michelles123 | @michelles123 | Jan 12, 2019

In reply to @hopeful33250 "@michelles123 I just googled "Froedert" and see that it is a neurological hospital in Milwaukee. I..." + (show)

Hi - I have other Drs there. But I am skeptical since no one has recommended her.
Michelle

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 12, 2019

In reply to @michelles123 "John - it just shows a paragraph or two and asks for $35 to view. Any..." + (show)

Hi Michelle @michelles123, I used Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com/) which finds a lot of research type articles and books that are sometimes not free but it will show you the abstract which is sometimes useful. I thought that it showed me the complete article when I first clicked on the link. I did another search on Google Scholar using the phrase "microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm" and it found quite a bit of information. Here are the search results:

-- https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=1%2C24&as_ylo=2019&as_vis=1&q=microvascular+decompression+for+hemifacial+spasm&btnG=

Here's the first link that is shown and it is one that doesn't have a cost associated to view it. It's from Science Direct.

Transposition of posterior inferior cerebellar artery could have caused ischemic complication in microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm
-- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214751918302573

Hopefully this helps...

levine138 | @levine138 | Feb 9, 2019

In reply to @jnetten "April 6th" + (show)

I see it has been a while since you posted but wondering if the spasms your son experienced after surgery have gone away. Currently having same issue.

Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Feb 13, 2019

In reply to @levine138 "I see it has been a while since you posted but wondering if the spasms your..." + (show)

Hi, @levine138 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Just to clarify, you had microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasms and are now experiencing spasms again? If so, how does your doctor suggested proceeding?

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 28, 2019

In reply to @jmh "I had surgery 5 weeks ago for my hemifacial spasms and have nausea that comes and..." + (show)

Hello @jmh and welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm not familiar with this disorder but I am sorry to hear of the post-surgery problems you are having. Did your doctor indicate that these symptoms are normal?

For those of us who are unfamiliar with this type of surgery, could you describe for us what happens when this surgery is performed?

jmh | @jmh | Dec 28, 2019

In reply to @jmh "I had surgery 5 weeks ago for my hemifacial spasms and have nausea that comes and..." + (show)

Oh I thought I was in the right group be cause I read a lot of posts regarding this disorder. Anyways,surgery involves decompression of a cranial nerve by placing a sponge between the nerve and blood vessel to stop the spasms and twitching. The nurses on the unit I was on did say I may be nauseaous a bit but I was hoping to hear from others who had this surgery. I am maybe too impatient and want to get back to regularly working out and find I am not quite right yet.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 28, 2019

In reply to @jmh "I had surgery 5 weeks ago for my hemifacial spasms and have nausea that comes and..." + (show)

I'd like to invite @levine138 and @michelles123 to join this conversation as they have had this surgery as well. Perhaps they can shed some light on your post-surgery symptoms.