[Guest]

24yr old otherwise healthy female, I was diagnosed with Bell's 11 days ago, left side. For two days prior to onset I had a severe toothache on lower left side. The day before onset I had strange kind of pain in my neck behind my left ear. I woke up the next day with the Bell's. My doctor took one look at me and diagnosed Bell's. He prescribed prednisone and nothing else, no antivirals. He didn't do any tests, take any hx, look for ear infection, check my lymphnodes, nothing. He sent me on my way, a paralyzed wreck. I did some research and found studies that indicated large doses (40-60 mg)of methylcobalamin have sped the recovery to 5 or 6 days. So I'm taking the methyl B-12. Also, I went to see an acupuncturist yesterday who after talking with me for about two minutes asked if I'm having dental problems. "Why yes" I said, "In fact just prior to the Bell's." He said that he thought I had an infection in that tooth and suggested I see a dentist(the toothache went away when the Bell's showed up). The acunpucturis performed some electostimulation. The pain has subsided somewhat, not sure if it's due to the electostimulation. Still no movement in my left face. I saw a dentist who confirmed an infection and prescribed amoxicillin 500mg/q8hrs. The acupuncturist seems to think this is what caused my Bell's. The Dentist recommends a root canal. Should I wait on that till the Bell's clears up, if it clears up? I've been showing no progress whatsoever. Also, I started large doses (1000 mg/day) of Tagamet yesterday because I read some research that suggests it cures the herpes simplex 1 virus. I don't know if I have herpes simplex 1 but my research has shown that in a majority of Bell's cases that's the culprit. Since my doctor wouldn't prescribe an antiviral, even after I insisted on a blood test at my follow up visit this week and it shows a high white blood count, I resorted to the OTC Tagamet. And I've had a very recent development that I haven't consulted my doctor about yet. Last night I started noticing a localized pain about 3inches behind my left ear. After a couple hours of this I could feel a palpable lump where the pain is. It's very tender and the pain continues 24hrs later. What's your advice on all this? Thanks. Sarah

[Guest]

I can see that you are frustrated and are looking for treatment, but it is very important that you do not begin treatments on your own. Antiviral treatments are used in some cases of BElls palsy(in most cases the etiology is not clearly determined). A careful exam of the ear and neck should be done. In some cases, MRI studies of the brain are also done to visualize the seventh cranial nerve and related structures. You should not be taking Tagamet now, or any other treatment unless prescribed by your doctor. You may want to conisder seeing a neurologist, and have whomever you are seeing, in contact with your dentist so that appropriate decisions regarding treatment of the tooth can be made. In most cases of Bells palsy improvement occurs over weeks and months. Please see your doctor. Good luck.
[quote] 24yr old otherwise healthy female, I was diagnosed with Bell's 11 days ago, left side. For two days prior to onset I had a severe toothache on lower left side... [/quote]