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Bells palsy

Posted , 6 users are following.

pamela30594
pamela30594

I was diagnosed with bells palsy 3 weeks ago and I started steroid treatment immediatley. I've now started getting facial movement and it's almost back to normal. However the headache, eye, jaw and ear pain is still very painful. Is this normal? I've read up and asked my doctor and they all confirm this type of pain is at the onset of bells palsy. I'm worried as somedays it's so bad I feel that it's happening again. Is this even possible?

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • sharon24495
    sharon24495 pamela30594

    Posted

    I have heard from many that the pain can last a long time.  I never had pain except for a slight day in the beginning.  Keep asking the question and someone should respond to you.
  • alexis02700
    alexis02700 pamela30594

    Posted

    Hi Pamela, that’s great you’re starting to recover so quickly. My nerve pain continued up until full recovery so I wouldn’t be too worried. The eye pain and headache could be from overworking the muscles if you’ve been trying to make facial expressions. Jaw and ear pain was the worst. I believe I got TMJ during my Bell’s palsy episode.
  • john89138
    john89138 pamela30594

    Posted

    It sounds like you had a mild case like me. It took 28 days for me to get back to almost normal. The steriods help alot. It's 3 mos since mine started. I do feel tension in my muscles but been assured it's not suppose to come back.

    Message back with any questions.

    John

    • alexis02700
      alexis02700 john89138

      Posted

      John, glad to hear how well you recovered! I remember chatting on a previous thread.
    • pamela30594
      pamela30594 john89138

      Posted

      Hi John no the doctor said I had a sever case. I had to tape my eye shut at night as it wouldn't move. My vission was very blured and My eye was so dry I put drops in 6 times a day and cream in at night. I couldn't speak, eating was difficult as well as id lost my sence of taste (this hasn't come back yet and still have a very bad taste in my mouth) and drinking was embarrassing. They put me on 12 steroids a days for 10 days then reduced me down by 2 day. When it happened I was rushed to hospital as they thought I was having a stroke and had a ct scan done on arrival. I massaged my face, took the vitamins and had warm cloths on my face all the time. My doctor said it was doing all this that got the moment back. I had to do something as I looked like sloth from goonies. My smile is still lopsided but it's a huge improvement on what it was. It's the pain that's concerning as it's very bad especially at night. It's a reminder of what I experienced the day it all happened. Did you have this pain after you got movement back?

    • alexis02700
      alexis02700 pamela30594

      Posted

      I had Bell’s palsy twice. First time mild case, second tim was severe complete paralysis. Both times I could literally feel it happening. Could feel my face was off then looked in the mirror and panicked. Well second time around I knew exactly what it was. Second time I had a lot of pain and it was constant. Even after I started recovering I was still in a lot of pain. I took gabapentin for the nerve pain but it did not do anything. I don’t think the pain is uncommon. I hope you feel better soon!
  • lorna65277
    lorna65277 pamela30594

    Posted

    Hi Pamela

    Am 1 year down the line with Bells,am nearly there have about 80%recovery,have had all the pain you describe dont worry its not another attack of bells. Your very lucky its only been weeks and your nearly recovered.The pain will lessen overtime, try and relax hard to do i know but stress makes it worse.You will get good days and bad and that normal .Hang in there.

  • claire28931
    claire28931 pamela30594

    Posted

    Hi Pamela, it is really good news that your recovery is almost there after 3 weeks. I started having minor recovery from acute bells after 6 weeks. I am now 10 months and still recovering. I have been securing my eye shut for the whole time. The pain from medical feedback I have been given is attributable to taut muscles / nerve recovery . Night time is worse as it builds up during the day. The pain definitely continues way beyond onset. Hot compresses, rest , gentle massage is helpful. I have got some medication to help me sleep, as night is the worst.

    it is frustrating , debilitating problem which unfortunately is so visual and also cannot be ignore like other medical problems, as every time you drink / eat/ talk it’s tricky for Bells patients. I still dribble at times, get food stuck in my cheek, have sinus problems, but the head pain is the overwhelming problem at times.  I’ve also noticed that being outside in the freezing cold also increases face pain, so my advice is wrap up when it hits.

    good luck in the meantime 

     

    • lorna65277
      lorna65277 claire28931

      Posted

      Hi Claire,

      Have just read your comment i am 1 year with Bells nearly there still having eye problems but my main problem is Tinnitus, have you suffered this also i never get a complete nights sleep.I find brushing the effected side with a new borns hair brush helps and the hot water thing is a huge relief,i guess we are all in the same boat.💗

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