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Bell Palsy - How long did it last?

Posted , 28 users are following.

tresremi
tresremi

Would like to know the length time when their face came back to normal - basically if it was fixed in days, weeks, and/or months.

2 likes, 125 replies

125 Replies

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  • Shaz_uv
    Shaz_uv tresremi

    Posted

    When I had it 10 years ago it took about 6 months to go back, but I have always had a weakness in my left side of my face, I have a bad weakness in my lest eye, have been to eye hospital and they said muscle damage.

    Got Bell's palsy this Sunday went to doctors first thing Monday morning and they put me straight on to steroids, and they have really helped my face getting better every day.

    • tresremi
      tresremi Shaz_uv

      Posted

      @Shaz uv - when you did have BP; did you take the medicine for all the 6 months or did you let it go away naturally?
  • raymond92651
    raymond92651 tresremi

    Posted

    I am now in my ninth week since it started.   It has improved, and I can manage half a smile!   My lower eyelid, which dropped away, has now begun to strengthen, though my wife still tapes it up each night to protect it.   The best solution to protect it in the day is to wear a pair of clear work men's goggles.   I can even play golf in the wind.   At first I wore sun glasses, or an eye patch (minus the parrot!).   The eye specialist has said that if the eye doesn't strengthen, there are things they can do.   I cannot blow my trombone yet, as I play in a band.   The wind comes out of the side of my mouth.   I am hoping to be right by 12 or 14 weeks.   Patience is the key, I think.   Best wishes.

    Ray

  • raymond92651
    raymond92651 tresremi

    Posted

    I didn't give my age, as I am nearly 81.     However I did have it in my mid 20's on the other side of my face.   It is related to thr chicken pox virus apparently, which I had as a child.   I will include you in my prayers.

    Have a happy Christmas anyway!

    cheerio and God bless.

    Ray

    • tresremi
      tresremi raymond92651

      Posted

      thank you so much I'm 29 and before I go to work today I'm going to stop at Target and buy me a face massager to help the process.
  • raymond92651
    raymond92651 tresremi

    Posted

    NO DON'T.    I have learned that if you artificially stimulate the muscles of the face, it can cause kinesics which is a twitch in face muscles.    Even hand massages can do this.   Just be patient please.   Tel 01253 866194  if you wish to chat.

    Ray

    • tresremi
      tresremi raymond92651

      Posted

      Thats odd - i was told massage the muscles daily. Ive started to feel the nerves coming back which makes my face a little but the doctor ensured it was normal recovering process.

      Currently only been doing hand massaging and stretching my facial muscles as well - basically saying the alphabet which seems to get every muscle.

    • Barnie
      Barnie raymond92651

      Posted

      Hi Raymond  - I had Bells Palsy 10 years ago and whilst I have had a very good recovery I still get tightness in the side of the face where the palsy was - do you have any recommendations as to how to get rid of this - is there anything on the market that you can rub in to help.  The tightness makes everything uncomfortable - even talking.  Many thanks
    • raymond92651
      raymond92651 tresremi

      Posted

      Massage in the later stages of recovery when feelings start to emerge is good, but not right at the beginning.    I am starting to use a vibro massager now after nine weeks.   My earlier episode when I was 25 recovered in six weeks.   Now, at 80, recovery is going to take rather longer 
    • Barnie
      Barnie raymond92651

      Posted

      I guess if you recovered in 6 weeks the first time then you would not have suffered from residual tightness as that usually happens if you have a longer recovery.  I was over the worst of it in 3 months but it was another 18 months before I could say it had nearly all gone and now I do get tightness in the muscles after all these years. I was just hoping that there was something out there that may help that.  Good luck with your recovery this time Raymond - I hope it is speedy for you.
    • tresremi
      tresremi raymond92651

      Posted

      well i'm not sure when the recovery period actually start - i would figure once you start the medicine assigned, then that when generally your recovery begins.  I know i was prescribe "Lyrica", "Valacyclovir", and "Prednisone" - my nerves are starting to tingle and sometimes shooting pain all through the affect side of my face.

      Now @raymond - are you still taking medicine even after the long period time or you just letting it go away naturally?

    • tresremi
      tresremi Barnie

      Posted

      @Barnie - even after the long period of time; are you still taking medicine for BP or are you letting it go away naturally?
    • Barnie
      Barnie tresremi

      Posted

      No tresremi - I never had any medicine at all even in the beginning.  There is a lot of controversy about whether you heal any quicker with or without meds.  On reflection though i would ask for meds if I ever have the bad luck to have it again.  Raymond is right when he says that you should massage too soon - only start exercises and massage when you have seen good healing start.  Everyone is different in their healing time so for anyone who has not seen healing very much in the first few weeks do not despair as it can take anything up to a couple of years and I have personally seen my healing go on for years after that.  Only small things here and there.   You cannot really tell now that I had ever had it - I do have a slightly wonky smile and do get some tightness in the face in cold weather or when under any type of stress.

      It is a distressing illness as it does affect you psychologically as well.

    • tresremi
      tresremi Barnie

      Posted

      psychologically... yes definitely!  I totally agree with statement; I'm slowly trying to get out of this funk i have been in.  I honestly out of a habit now just cover my face when i smile or talk; obviously if i don't show any facial expression then you wouldn't be able to tell.  
    • Barnie
      Barnie tresremi

      Posted

      Yes I remember all too well doing all of that.   This is the side of the illness that no doctors seem to take seriously.  I became a recluse in the first few months and then it took me a long time to be able to go out and not think that everyone must be looking at me and thinking there is something wrong.   I hope you have a speedy recovery tresremi and that this will be just a bad memory soon.
    • raymond92651
      raymond92651 tresremi

      Posted

      I am letting nature take its course.   I have tried an electric massager, and I now get noises in my ear like water running, so I am stopping that.

      Ray

    • sharon24495
      sharon24495 Barnie

      Posted

      I am in year 3 with BP.  When you massage is it anything specific you do or just kind of stretching face this way and that way?  Do you do daily or just whenever.  If you don't massage do you think things tighten up again?  Miserable disease.

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