Bell's Palsy

[ekramer]

I was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy in August 1998. I was 8 months pregnant, had a sinus infection, and gestational diabetes so I had many risk factors. The paralysis was on my right side of the face and severe. I was told at the time there was nothing I could do for it. Every year, my face has improved somewhat but I estimate my recovery x 80%. I am tired of dealing with it.

[Halfthebattle]

Ekramer, I know how you feel, and i thought having BP for almost 3 years was long enough. I can only imagine having it for 10 years. On top of having this i also have Ulcerative Colitis, which i think is pretty related since i was diagnosed with both around the same time. It's a pain in the butt, trust me. Hope things change for you soon. 10 years is long enough.

[emeraldmay]

I don't know how you have managed to stay sane. I have only had it for about 14 months and it's driving me crazy. I feel like I am being stared at every day. God Bless You for having the ability to deal with this illness.

[oa2151]

i just read the subject and it scared the hell out of me. I just got BP 11 days ago. It started with this really bad pain behind my ear. I thought it was an ear infection since I get them all the time. I woke up and had all the signs ( right side of my face is numb, can't close my right eye, right side of mylips feel numb, my taste is almost gone, and can't smile). I went to the ER, thought I had a stroke, and they told me I had BP. They started me on steriods for 6 days. After it happen, I didn't have any pain but now I'm starting to feel my mouth but starting feeling pain behind my ear again. I need to understand if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Did you have have any improvement, did it come with pain?

[emeraldmay]

My bp started with extreme pain behind my left ear. The dr. treated me for tmj. A week later I woke up and tried to brush my teeth and couldn't spit. Throughout the day things kept getting worse.
By late afternoon, I couldn't shut my eye, move my forehead or left side of my mouth. I had a hard time speaking. It's been 14 months for me and only show slight improvements. I can smile a little but still can't spit, whistle or put air in my cheek. My forehead still has no movement. I can blink but at times i notice my eye is drying and I have to remember to blink. I am going to go to the dr. again soon and see what recommendations they have for me. I hear that physical therapy helps, massage, accupuncture......don't know but want to ask about it.
When I lay on my left side, I start to feel pain but nothing like the original pain behind my ear. What bothers me most is my eye.
After I see a dr. I hope to post good news.

[oa2151]

i appreciated the response. I will also try to update this post with my progress, if any. I've read a lot of the items in this site. Unfortunately, there seems to be a pattern, we all seems to be grasping for answers and no one really knows. All I read is that it takes time or may not go away or may come back. There has to be a trigger which causes BP. BP is the result of something but no one seems to really know. If I know what was happening to me before BP kicked in, can't a determination be made of the cause? I started feeling pain behind my ear; I get this pain 2 or 3 times a year and I always think its part of an ear infection. If it gets back I go to the doctor and push them for some sort of penicillan and it goes away. This time, because of the flu, I didn't go. My guess is that I have some sort of infection which cause the nerve to swell causing the BP. Unfortunately, my doctors don't seem to understand the cause but focus only on the results. Is anyone else experiencing the same things? Should I feel pain again behind my ear? Is this a good sign or a bad sign. For something that appears to be common there seems to be no real answers. Can't anyone help?

[emeraldmay]

If u find some real answers please post them. There isn't much out there about BP. They have possible causes but nothing definite. I had all the tests run and they found nothing. I was under extreme stress though. I know 2 people who have had bells within the past year, both had lyme disease. Both have cleared up. Good luck and keep us informed of any news you may find.

[islandgirl]

I too had pain in my ear, but in the front of my ear mostly. It started the day of onset and lasted about 2 weeks. It's now been 2 months and I'm not experiencing any pain, odd muscles twinges every once in awhile, which I hope is a good sign. I'm at about 90% recovery now, started acupuncture and B12 treatments, both seem to be helping. It is frustrating beyond belief how little information there is about BP out there, learning of others experiences on this site has helped though.

[oa2151]

As I promised, I'm updated this site with my follow-up experience. I've had BP for 13 days now. Yesterday, I went to see my Nurologist for the first time. My general doctor basically passed me off to him telling me that he would handle my situation from this point forward. Anyway, he was a very nice person but could provide no useful information. He basically repeated the information that i found on this site. I asked him what caused my BP, his answer, "its hard to know but probably a virus". Me, is there any way to find out? Him, no. Me, if its a virus, what happens to it? Does it stay in me forever? Does it die? Him, we don't know. Me, I still getting pain behind my ear. Is this a good or bad thing? Him, not sure, it could be good. Me, when I went to the ER, they put me on Steriods but not an anti-virus drug. Should I take some? Him, probably not. They really don't help. Me, is there any way to tell if I'm getting better? Him, well, you'll notice that you can start moving parts of your face. Me, No, I meant, is there a test that will check if the nerve is growing / healing? Him, not really, just give it time. Me, is there anything that I can do to help the situation? Him, stay out of cold breezes. Me, why, does it have any connection? Him, not sure but its rumor to be linked somehow. Me, so, what happens now? meaning, how often should I see you? Him, probably not for another 6 months. By then we'll know if its getting better. Me, and if it doesn't? Him, it will, probably. Me, ok, thanks, very helpful (not).

As you can see, it was pretty much a waste of time. You can get the same answers by reading the info on this site. Its totally frustrating that something that effect so many people and probably should has a root cause and possible solutions can be left out there for everyone to stumble forward with.

Anyway, I'm starting to get feeling in my lips and forehead. I will update the site as I move forward in this blind alley we are left to wander.

[emeraldmay]

Sounds like you hit the same wall I did. It's a shame that the drs. can't give more information. Most of the answers we get are from each other. Thanks for the update.