I have read that involuntary movement can be one of the symptoms of MMD.  I have involuntary muscle contractions bilaterally (pre and post-op), but only unilateral involvement of the vasculature.
Does anyone else suffer from involuntary movements and if so, what kind of movement (spasms, jerking, tremors, etc.) and what have your docs said about this?

Yes.  It's least of my worries

Hello,
Yes, I have involuntary movements on my right side.  I thought it was my a previous work-related injury.  My right arm jerks continually.  Sometimes (most of the time), the spasms go all the way to my right ankle.   BTW, I am 9-months post-op!  I hadn't read that involuntary movements could be a symptom of MMD.  I always thought it was because of tendonitis.

I have had the same experience. My doc thought they were what he called FOCAL SEIZURES (caused by damage from my stroke and the generalized lowered blood flow that results from MMD).  He increased my anti-seizure meds and they have virtually disappeared, only arising when I am very worn out.  Have you ever had any other seizures?  What about an EEG?  
Hope this helps,
Steph  

Thanks Steph and Lsuvia for your replies.
This is where I read about involuntary movement being a symptom of MMD.
Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or
This is what it said:

Children may have hemiparesis, monoparesis, sensory impairment, involuntary movements, headaches, dizziness, or seizures. Mental retardation or persistent neurologic deficits may be present.
Adults may have symptoms and signs similar to those in children, but intraventricular, subarachnoid, or intracerebral hemorrhage of sudden onset is more common in adults.

My movement is in my limbs.  For me it's a very quick muscle contraction and then a release (kind of a jerk I guess).  I generally only notice it when I am still (laying down, reading, sitting at computer).  I never really noticed if it happens more when I am worn out.  I'll try to pay more attention to that.  
They looked for focal seizures with an EEG but didn't find any.  As far as I know, though, that only means I wasn't having a seizure when they were doing the test.  
I have never had a stroke (lots of TIAs), but my blood flow was pretty severly diminished and I am only 2 months post-op so it's entirely possible that I just don't have enough revascularization yet to make a difference.
The reason it really concerned me was that it is happening on both sides although my occlussion was only on the left and they said I don't show any involvement on the right.  I think because I went through so many doctors and tests and possible diagnosis (MS, Parkinsons, etc.) and just trying to convince someone that something really was wrong with me, I'm not that confident that something wasn't missed.  Dr. S did my surgery and was amazing.  Unfortunatley, I live in Illinois and had a lousy experience with my doctors here so when something comes up, I don't really have anywhere to turn.
Thanks for your input.  It's good to know I'm not alone!

if you're only two months post-op.. don't go freaking out or jumping to conclusions... involuntary movements aren't that big a deal... sure they may ot may not be a symptom related to the MM but in all reality you may or may not experience MM symptoms post-op, regardless... what is important is the bloodflow... symptoms are an indicator that the condition is present but not always an indicator of what's most important...
be careful with this part:
although my occlussion was only on the left and they said I don't show any involvement on the right
at first i was told the same thing.... then after my first surgery i was told that the right side was completely blocked as well, then after that surgery i was told that the back arteries were almost completely blocked! haha.. anyway it's more common than not to have both sides affected...
it is important to have follow ups.. but it's also important to have patience!
it could mean that the blood flow is still regulating in general, having surgery on one side WILL benefit the entire arterial roundabout in the brain.. so i'd not be too concerned about the fact that the symptoms are bilateral...

anyway, hope to not sound too blaze'....

Tuknits,
The jerks are exactly what I experienced.  My husband and I would sit and watch my fingers go up and down.  How strange our minds are.  It seems that even if your eeg came up clean they should try a dose of anti-seizures to see if it helps. I would insist on it.  Blame it on being scared that you may have a full blown seizure while driving or something.  If the meds don't help...then you know! Hope this helps.  You are not alone...we are here for ya!
Steph

P.S. I love my new med for it.  I am on Zonegran/m (can't remember how to spell it!) and have very few side effects and it supposedly helps w/my headaches ...ummmmm??

Hi

I have had focal fits since my op in Nov 2005 - only in my right hand. (none pre-op)

Seizure meds have all but eliminated the issue. An EEG shows up an "abnormal" brain activity - you don't necessarily have to have a siezure while the EEG is being done.

Helene

Well, instead of hearing from different people w/MMD and have involuntary movements/spasms (worry about/don't worry etc).  I called Teresa @ Stanford.  She recommended that I talk to my doctor and get checked out for seizures or tremors.  I should be able to sked an appt next week.  I'll keep you posted.  
Lee

I also have involentary movements and my neurologist says they are tremors.  She tried adjusting some of my meds but this did not seen to work.  I seem to get them when I am upset or very tired.  I am on Xanax and when I have the tremors I take .5 and it seems to help.  I am also having some problems with anxiety attacks although they are few and far between and as of yet have not found what trigges them.

Good luck and with you all the way!

Linda :)

Thanks all for your input.

I didn't have the greatest experience with my local neuros.  After my EEG didn't show signs of seizures (prior to MMD dx), one said it's probably psychological (insert four letter words here)!  [smiley=bomb.gif]
When I go back to Stanford for a follow up, I am going to see a neuro there and see what they have to say.  It will be a few more months before I go, but I'll keep you posted with the results.

Tracey

Has anyone noticed that all the replies on this subject are all females?
Is the involuntary movements only on the right side?
Have a great day!

Lee

Sorry to throw a wrench in the "all female" and "right side" theory  [smiley=laugh.gif] but I also had involuntary movements in my legs.

I originally described them as "tremors" on the Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or , but the more I hear about Restless Leg Syndrome, the more I believe my involuntary movements are exactly the same as those associated with RLS.

Of course, it's only my speculation.  I haven't been seen by a doctor about them and for the most part they went away after my first surgery.  I still occasionally experience the movements but not nearly to the extent as pre surgery.

Sorry to muddy the waters!  lol

DJ

Hi gang,
Well so much for my theory!!   ::)  I met with my neorologist today regarding involuntary movement.  It turns out that I may have Hemichorea.  Don't know what it is except that it causes involuntary movement (spasms).  I have to have yet another cerebrial angiogram tomorrow to check the left ECA bypass.   Atleast, I'll have an answer soon.  I've been put on Keppra to control the right side.   My neorologist thankfully doesn't take his job lightly.  He conferenced with Teresa @ Stanford.  Hence the angiogram.  I'll post again on Friday on the results of the angio. Until then, take care!  Celebrate today friends!
Lee  ;)

Hey there!
Well, I tried the Keppra to control the involuntary movements.  I did not like Keppra!  It had me depressed & rage like you wouldn't believe!  I'm on Neurontin (anti-convultant).  It makes me dizzy about 3 hrs after taking it then double vision...no, I'm not having fun.
take care!
lee

First, I want to thank Mar for giving me the link to this topic when I asked this question just a couple months after all of you.

I, too, can blow a hole in the female vs. male theory.  My son, Matthew, has begun having involuntary movements.  And just to REALLY blow the theory apart, his are on the left side.

The really weird thing that doesn't compare to all of your experiences . . . these "twitches" (as I call them) didn't start until more than seven and one-half years after his surgery!  

Matthew did have focal seizures with his last stroke, but the latest EEG came up clean as far as seizures.  We are continuing with an MRI/MRA next -- one week from Sunday.

I am a little nervous . . .

Kim -- mom to Matthew, diagnosed at 7, now 15.