My doctor just diagnosed me with Bell's Palsy. The left side of my mouth first began feeling numb two days ago, but stupidly I didn't go to the doctor until today. The nerve damage is actually on the right side of my face (hard to close my right eye or open the right side of my mouth) plus my right eye constantly waters. Doc prescribed a 21-day course of steroids, hopefully it will clear up entirely during that time-frame. Have any of my fellow Terbites had this affliction?
Bell's Palsy: Anyone have any experience with it?
- Thread starter bemeup
- Start date
Jean Chretien was afflicted with Bell's Palsey and I think that is the slight speech impediment that Olivia Chow is recovering from. I wish you a full and speedy recovery bemeup.
Steroid treatment is a relatively newer trend for treatment of Bell's
Used to be we'd just have to wait for it to clear up, unless it was Ramsay-Hunt or other diagnosis
Make sure you protect your corneas from drying out while you sleep, use an ointment at bedtime and use a face mask or tape your eyelids shut
Good luck OP, you'll be better in a few mos. And there is likely no nerve "damage" don't worry
Used to be we'd just have to wait for it to clear up, unless it was Ramsay-Hunt or other diagnosis
Make sure you protect your corneas from drying out while you sleep, use an ointment at bedtime and use a face mask or tape your eyelids shut
Good luck OP, you'll be better in a few mos. And there is likely no nerve "damage" don't worry
I had a friend who suffered a bout of Bell's Palsy in his early 30s. Full recovery. My uncle suffered a bout in his late 60s, his face (right eye and mouth) are still partially affected about 5 years later.
Yeah keep your eyes watered is important or cause permanent vision damage.
Bells palsy is often caused by dormant herpes virus. Careful who you give daty to.
Bells palsy is often caused by dormant herpes virus. Careful who you give daty to.
Both an ex girlfriend and I had it. She had it a few years before me, but didn't go to the doctor immediately. It took quite a while to return to normal. I went to the doctor as soon as I noticed it as I thought it was Bell's Palsy, most people wouldn't realize it. Luckily within a few weeks it was gone. I believe Chretien and any older people who never improved were inflicted before today's medicine was available.
Like Poolasaurus, many years later, I can still see a very slight difference on either side of my forehead when I force a frown.
bemeup, you should be ok in a few weeks, just follow advice as posted above.
I had it. It can take a while. I had it long after I was done the medication. I was on steroids too. Antiviral medication isn't shown to work so they don't prescribe it. I went to see a neurologist who did tests and asked me a bunch of questions and he eventually narrowed it down to the chicken pox virus attacking the nerve or something.
It's really important that you get treated early and do the exercises. I had to try and flex my face everyday and massage the paralyzed side of my face. Also, people who get Bell's palsy are more likely to get it again. You shouldn't be too concerned about the first time. If it happens again though, you're more likely to see some permanent damage.
I used to wear sunglasses a lot and I bought an eye patch to keep my eye protected when I was outside. having both eyes working but not really functioning the same gave me a bit of a headache so I covered the one eye to make it easier to read and focus on things.
Most people can't notice that I had it, but when I smile I notice that one side of my mouth doesn't go up as high as the other one.
I was really worried when it first happened, because people who didn't know any better were telling me I had a stroke. I had one person tell me it was Bell's Palsy but I was concerned that it might have been something worse solely based on so many people tellign me it looked like a stroke. It was diagnosed immediately though and treated the same day.
It's really important that you get treated early and do the exercises. I had to try and flex my face everyday and massage the paralyzed side of my face. Also, people who get Bell's palsy are more likely to get it again. You shouldn't be too concerned about the first time. If it happens again though, you're more likely to see some permanent damage.
I used to wear sunglasses a lot and I bought an eye patch to keep my eye protected when I was outside. having both eyes working but not really functioning the same gave me a bit of a headache so I covered the one eye to make it easier to read and focus on things.
Most people can't notice that I had it, but when I smile I notice that one side of my mouth doesn't go up as high as the other one.
I was really worried when it first happened, because people who didn't know any better were telling me I had a stroke. I had one person tell me it was Bell's Palsy but I was concerned that it might have been something worse solely based on so many people tellign me it looked like a stroke. It was diagnosed immediately though and treated the same day.
Actually it can be Bacterial also among many other things. The Steroid solution is effective if used with anything which is not Bacterial. If it is Bacterial then Steroids without Antibiotics can have potential negative effects (i.e. increased Bacterial levels).
For those who want the information about it:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/bells/detail_bells.htm
Any time you notice part of your face is drooping you should seek immediate medical attention as it could be signs of a stroke. If it turns out to be Bell's Palsy then you'll be starting treatment sooner than later which from everything I've read is key to making a faster, more complete recovery. If it's a stroke, same thing applies.
Do you mean Quasimodo? If so, then no. He was born with a hunchback.
I'm personally very familiar with it. There's a lot of scary shit on the internet.. Ignore it.. Most people see a complete recovery within 2 to 3 weeks.. It's a bitch, but you'll get over it..
I cleared up after 2.5 weeks, and I actually started seeing small improvements after just one week.
Get the gummy eye shit to put in your eye so it doesn't dry out at night. Then either tape that fucker shut, or wear goggles to sleep (so dust and shit won't get in your eye).
I can also recommend picking up a pair of snow skiing sunglasses (the kind that full cover your eyes) and wear them around until you start being able to blink again. It'll stop wind from irritating your eye so much.
