Bells Palsy twice! :(
Posted , 15 users are following.
Hello everyone I was wondering if anyone had Bells Palsy twice and recovered? I'm beginning to get worried because the first time I had Bells it didn't take this long to recover. My recovery this time started at week #3 but now it seems to be at a stand still. Had this happened to anyone else? Also now I have a straining noise in my ear when I smile, lift my eye brow, or scrunch my nose is anyone else experiencing this?
0 likes, 29 replies
DoctorMark e64767
Posted
Hello,
Having Bell's twice is not uncommon, and recovery times vary on each episode. Bell's Palsy is (as you probably know) the compression of the facial nerve and depending on severity recovery can be quick or it can take some time. As compression is released the nerve needs to recover and it can take weeks for compression to be released and weeks again for the recovery. At 3 weeks you may not see any improvement it all depends on the severity of the episode.
Did you notice any difference between this attack and your first?
And also getting bell's Palsy twice is a good sign to visit a specialist to get an idea of what could be causing it. Most people who get Bell's Palsy suffer once but as I said it is not uncommon for reoccurring incidents but in these cases there is usually an underlying cause. Like a nerve disorder or perhaps even a vitamin B deficiency.
3 weeks is still early so give it another week and take the prescribed treatment. The dose can be increased if your doctor feels it necessary.
Just remember to stay positive and keep the face warm as you can.
Mark
e64767 DoctorMark
Posted
Hello thanks so much for your reply. I'm starting to see more improvement now. My smile isn't the same and my eye still doesn't close all the way. This time I experienced more pain with my eye and also nerve pain in my face. The first time I had Bells Paksu I only remember my tongue hurting and feeling like it was swollen.
lori35785 DoctorMark
Posted
pratik_84856 DoctorMark
Posted
Bellakitty lori35785
Posted
Hi, I had Bell ' s twice when a teen as well and both time on the right side of my face. I do not believe it is that uncommon but I am not 100% positive. I have a few markers that show up to this day (I am 49 this March) that you notice, especially if I am tired. My smile is a bit lopsided, it goes up more on the left side. Also my right eye is not as strong as my left one when I am squinting. It does become more dry than my left one as well I have noticed. Other than these small things, e erythema else is the same. Hope this helps. Have a great weekend.
valerie26714 e64767
Posted
I am experiencing my second time of Bell's Palsy, but no recovery. I have had it for 13 weeks.
e64767 valerie26714
Posted
So sorry that you're experiencing this condition twice! I pray that you start to recover. Everyone recovers at different rates so the main thing is to NOT get discouraged if you see other people recovering at a faster rate. I know a lady that didn't start to recover until after 4 months so I don't believe the doctors when they say that there's no hope after the 3 month mark. I was really bad at first but I'm starting to see s lot of improvement now. I believe that the second time around people typically takes longer to recover, I'm not a doctor I'm just going off of my experience and other people that had it twice. Hope you see recovery soon please keep me updated and I will be praying for you.
valerie26714 e64767
Posted
I saw my doctor yesterday for a med. check. She told me it could be up to 6 months before I see improvement to my Bell's Palsy.. She has one patient who has it 'chronically' (whick I take to mean it never went away). I feel you are correct that everyone's process of healing is different. I have a great many other health issues going on and can't help but wonder how that affects me and healing. I have been desperately discouraged, however, she (my doc) gave the go ahead to try stimulation....saying it can't hurt. I plan on trying the suggestions Massage posted. Very grateful for the prayers and praying as well for you and others afflicted.
Massage valerie26714
Posted
Dear Valerie,
I feel your isolation & fear - not being able to smile (& the rest) was a very lonely experience. Luckily after leaving hospital, and being told "good luck", I went to a traditional acupuncturist (British Acupuncture Council) where they can help & I understood that I had to take responsibility. Your doctor said "it can't hurt" - meaning it can't do any harm - it can't. But it can do more than a lot of good. Please try to wake-up your face as fast as possible. I was sitting on a towel squeezing, gently pinching, using heat, ice, trying to suck, chew, massaging around my eyes and so on, 5 or 6 times a day. If you think / research about rehabilitation for strokes, hands-on physio should be a huge part of regaining movement. The same is the case here - but because it's the face, we can do it ourselves. I don't know why the doctors don't seem to advocate self stimulation - but yours has said it can't do harm, so please try it. Best wishes.
valerie26714 Massage
Posted
Thank you Massage. My son is a massage therapist and has made suggestions such as facial exercises, chewing gum. I'm happy to report this morning I was able to suck thru a straw on the affected side (L). To me, this is progress! My son told me I need to manually move my face so those muscles will not atrophy. Thanks for the encouragement. I had Bell's Palsy on the right side of my face in 1992. I mentioned to the dr. I've had some strange feelings in that cheek. She suggested it might be overflow. Comforted me a bit. Regarding your comments on hot/cold stimulation:years ago I worked with (at my job) an OT (Occupational Therapist) and it is consistent with her informtion in providing sensory stimulation (to our in common sensory deprived individuals). Paralysis is pretty 'sensory deprived'. Thank you for the encouragement. Best wishes to you as well.
Massage valerie26714
Posted
Great. Good news on the straw! Thankyou for trying - keep going. I don't know what 'overflow' means, but any sensation is good news. It means the nerves are "waking up". Keep encouraging them with stimulation. Please tell your doctor to stress the importance of self-massage for rehabilitation. Just allowing / watching the nerves/muscles to atrophy & die is awful.
Best wishes.
e64767 valerie26714
Posted
valerie26714 e64767
Posted
My husband and son think I am easier to understand when I speak. Still unable to smile, move eyebrow or achieve full closure of my eye. However, I am now able to suck thru a straw on the affected side. Also, paralisis of 1/2 of my tongue has improved enough that I am able to lateralize food (move from one side of mouth to other). I'm happy with any improvement. How about yourself?
Massage e64767
Posted
Hello,
I have had bi-lateral Bell's palsy (rare). It tends to be caused because we get too run down - I was. It's a little like a facial stroke - you have rapid homework to do - time will be running - You need to "wake up" your face as fast as possible - so you sit on a towel facing a mirror, use ice water & hot water & flannel to stimulate the face. Massage the face - firmly but gently - chew (try to) chewing gum / toast. Try to suck through a straw. Do anything that stimulates the muscles / nerves of your face. Do it little & often. If you get pain or tingling, that's a sign that your face is waking up. If not, keep going. Visiting an acupuncturist could be helpful. Good luck.
valerie26714 Massage
Posted
Good and specific suggestions I think I will try. My son is a massage therapist and mentioned chewing gum to me. I have been able to drink thru a straw (but on the other side)...will try it on the affected side. I had it on the other side of my face and exercises helped a great deal. Thank you for your suggestions.