10 weeks with bells palsy
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So as discussed in my last post I finally saw a physiotherapist on Friday, she showed me what exercises I should be doing, not like the ones all over the Internet, and at least she was more hopeful than my useless Doctor the week before, but on that note that Doctor got in contact with me and I am now actually going to get some blood tests too, to rule out lymes disease or any other such nerve problems. Maybe this might unearth something but the physio did tell me that that should have been done at the beginning. The physiotherapist is also going to start electro stimulation on my face this week, she's hopeful that it should wake up my facial muscles, however she did stress to me that it will still be a slow process and I must be patient.
I am feeling a lot more positive this week, I really didn't think 10 weeks in I would still be completely paralysed, but realising apart from alot of patience there's not really a great deal I can do about it.
0 likes, 3 replies
ellen61091 michlove1985
Posted
I developed palsy in January 2016. It went to both sides of my face(very rare). My doctor immediately sent me to see neurologists at UNC HOSPITAL. I was there for 3 nights & had every test available. The cause was probably a virus. Physical therapy with electrical stimulation helped me look better. I am now doing speech therapy with electrical stimulation as the nerves around my mouth are not working the muscles. I have also had extremely dry eyes and am still seeing an ophthalmologist.
michlove1985 ellen61091
Posted
Thank you for your response, I don't understand why it's taken so long for my doctors to request these tests, again it just seems that there is not enough known about this terrible condition, but saying that I had never heard of it before my bells started.
I have been told by my physiotherapist that there is a private doctor in Cheshire that specialises in these conditions and has a great reputation for the results that she achieves, my physio told me that she can refer me to her, the only problem is it's private, and being a low income family just cannot afford it. It's unreal that there are consultants and clinics that specialise in this condition, people that can actually help us and in order to receive this help you need lots of money, otherwise they just won't help.
Hope your recovery continues
debra66175 michlove1985
Posted
expecting a full recovery. It is hard to accept you cannot just will yourself better. It is good you are seeing a physiotherapist. I was too chicken!
I did find exercises on the site of the British Bells Palsy Assosiation that
were of great help. However, make sure you do not try too much stimulation too early on as that may also hinder recovery. My face was
frozen solid. Couldnt blink,,swallow or taste properly. Great pain and worry and i stayed in bed for months!! It felt like my head was being pulled this way and that. After 3 months I started meeting friends again. B vitamins I find really useful and of course eye drops all the time. Good luck for a speedy recovery. I do feel that not enough is known or done for Bells palsy and Ramsay Hunt syndrome sufferers. Mine was Ramsay hunt to be specific which is caused by the herpes zoster virus. I had many blisters in my ear and mouth. However, nearly 3 years on, things are still getting better. Too slow but better than nothing!