Bell's Palsy

[emeraldmay]

I have had BP for almost 5 weeks. I am noticing lately that my facial muscles on BP side are acting strange. I have been getting contractions in my forehead that pull my muscles tight and the same thing by my lip. (sometimes I look like I am sneering). It only lasts a few seconds.

Is this normal? Does this mean the nerve is healing? Any help would be great. I have no insurance so I can't go back to my Dr.

Thanks,
Dawn

[BaiyaGrammyS]

This is excellent news! Be thankful each time you feel a little twitch. I always saw results afterwards! I know just what you mean about the sneering. It is funny to think about. No kidding, this is a great thing. Keep twitching away!


Rest and take it easy while you heal!

[emeraldmay]

Hi,
I still have the BP. It's going on 4 months. I can now move my mouth in a small smile on the BP side. Still can't blink. I keep trying to blink and move my muscles. I also notice that things aren't as droopy as they were. I haven't been as twitchy as I was. I keep praying that full recovery comes soon.
Thanks,
Dawn

[BaiyaGrammyS]

Hello Dawn ~

This is great news! It is a slow process, but you will recover! I was so happy when I could 'blink' again and spit out that toothpaste! I know this is so serious to you, and to us all, when it is happening, but one day things will be so much better. I just recently, in the last few months, was able to smile completely. Every new break through is something to thank God for! Thank Him in all things!!

[emeraldmay]

Thanks for your reply. I can't wait to be able to spit out my toothpaste again, lol. That is the first symptom I had. I was brushing my teeth and I couldn't spit. I had no idea what Bells palsy was. After I went to the Dr. I realized that it didn't start with the paralysis, it was a week before when I had the severe headache, jaw ache, ear ache and amplified hearing. I have become more faithful to God since this has happened. I do thank Him for each breakthrough. I believe this has happened to me for a reason, maybe to bring me closer to Him.
Have a great day. Dawn

[BaiyaGrammyS]

Wasn't that a strange feeling when you tried to spit and could not? lol That was the first symptom I had, as well. I woke as usual, went to the bathroom to brush my teeth...when I realized I was unable to spit! It felt like I had been to the dentist and had novacaine.... and a lot of it. I looked in the mirror and everything 'looked' OK. As the day went on, it seemed to have felt better so I 'pretended' everything was OK. The next day, I woke with one eye OPEN! Yikes! That was when I went to the doctor and got the news about the Bell's Palsy.

I soon discovered, as I bet you have, that many people have had this or know someone who has. I have a close friend that got this during childbirth 26 years ago, on her right side. She refused to take the meds since she was breastfeeding her baby, she has never recovered completely. Then, several years later, she got it on the left side, and recovered with the help of meds.

I now notice people almost every where that I go that have symptoms of Bell's. I recognize things now that before I would have overlooked. I wonder at what stage of Bell's they are.

You are right, having Bell's Palsy will definitely put you on your knees! Whatever it takes to bring us closer to Him, right?

[Halfthebattle]

Dawn, I remember back when i first started having BP. My lip on my left side turned up like a snear as well. Also, my left cheek was pretty tight, along with my left eye not being able to close. After taking all my medications, things started to change for the better. My eye is alot better, but i still have some tightness, and tingles on my left side. My Doctor told me that it could be that the muscles are trying to reactivate which is a good thing. I hope he's right. Hang in there.

[emeraldmay]

I am heading toward the 14 month mark of the onset of BP. I can blink but sometimes have to think about it first. My forehead still does not move and I still can't whistle or spit or puff out my cheek. I took medicine in the beginning but it made me very ill. I couldn't even function I was soooo dizzy. Every morning I wake up and try to smile and then I get sad when it still doesn't work. Anyway, I'm hanging in there. Somethings got to change soon.

[elaine68]

Hi Dawn,
I am the 40yr old that has had BP for the 2nd time. I am having the same sensation on the affected
side as well. This meas that your face is healing. It is going back to normal. It really feels weird you have no control over the movement on that side. But, yes that is a very good sign. I am undergoing physical therapy. If you can not afford physical thearapy I would be glad to fax you a copy of the facial exercises. They seem stupid but they are working for me. Good Luck elaine68

[emeraldmay]

My Dr. recommended seeing a neurologist to rule out any tumors or such. I was thinking about going to a physical therapist also. My husband wants me to go to an acupuncturist. I'm not so sure about that. On my next visit to my Dr. I'm going to ask about vit B 12 injections. I hear they are great for rebuilding damaged nerves.