Diagnosed with Bell's Palsy

Thank you Sharon for your reply and advice. I'm at eye Dr now, good news still 20/20 20/25 vision. Wateringeyes not a help. I'm so scared and hope this goes away faster then normal.

It's good to hear other people's stories. I feel like a freak

Thank you so much for your insight and response. I will definately check your posts. I only got prednisone for 5 days. Is this enough?

I was prescribed 5 days of prednisone both times. I think that's standard. First episode I was only given steroids, no antivirals. First episode only lasted about 2 weeks. 2nd episode I was prescribed steroids and antivirals, took about a month to recover.

Doctors told me they don't normally prescribe additional doses of medications. After doing some research, there isn't really much scientific information that shows antivirals even do anything.

Ok thank you so much. I'm hoping my recovery is fast. This is just a horror of incident. I work out, stay somewhat fit. I need a vacation far away.

I hear you. It’s tough. From the sounds of it, it seems like you have a mild case. If you’re like me you should start seeing improvement by week two. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

I am hoping. I don't have much facial distortion and unless I smile or eat it's not to noticeable.

Is there any exercises to assist muscle recovery?

Can you raise your eyebrow at all on the affected side? Does your eye close? Certainly sounds mild which is good!

From what I’ve read, they don’t recommend facial exercises as it can make matters worse. I didn’t listen much.  I used a warm gel pack religiously and lightly massaged my cheek few times a day. 

They also say there’s no science behind acupuncture as a treatment but I could certainly feel movement when they did the electro stimulus and that was within the first week. Felt like a twitching feeling and any movement was better than nothing. I still have residual eye twitching. Not sure if others have had that response but it’s been consistent with both episodes. 

Eyebrow raises some, eye closes and is barely under lid. Eye Dr said is better than most.

I was gonna use warm pack to and massage.

Never thought this would happen ever.

Thank you for helping and all ur insight

That’s really good! Only partial paralysis. I have faith your recovery should be pretty quick. 

I know exactly how you feel. The first time it happened to me I had never even heard of it and was so worried i’d be like that forever. Thankfully it was only partial paralysis and saw signs of recovery by week two. I’m glad there is this thread. I never found it 7 years ago when I had it for the first time so could not read up on other people’s experiences. I’m glad this has helped and hopefully you’re less worried. Keep your head up! 

It’d be great if you could post your recovery for others who will go through the same thing. I did and hope it has/will help others.

Well it's day 5 and waking up to no miracle. Still the same. I appreciate your replies, concern and hope.

Found out a cousin had it and it lasted for 45days.

A friend of mine ex husband had it and she says mine is no where near as bad which gives me some light ahead. But I know there is no for sure. She said mine is about a 4 out 10 and isnt bad. Either way I can't eat or drink right or smile. I love to smile. My friends and family know im a prankster and laugh alot.

The mental breakdown of this is a huge effect. I'm no Brad Pitt but feel stupid now with facial expression.

Did you do facial exercises in mirror?

Once again thanks for your help just want to do everything right with this. .got 2 days of viral meds meds and 1 day of prednisone.

John

Hi Alexis, I started this thread 3 1/2 years ago.  I'm glad you have found this helpful.  It's amazing that everyone feels the same about being seen in public.  My BP was 3 1/2 years ago and my recovering wasn't complete.  People still stare, I feel, at me.  I have had 3 surgeries on my eye so it does look better but I can't smile decent and can't lift my eyebrow.  The only Dr. advice that I have received was to keep massaging.

I hear you. I first got it two weeks before I graduated high school. So being in school still was tough especially worrying I’d still be paralyzed when I graduated. This second time was not too long after I started a new job. It definitely breaks you down mentally. Be happy your case is mild. 

I didn’t do too many exercises. Many once a day to see if there was any movement. Recovery typically isn’t sudden rather progressive. I’m sure you will notice slight changes. Yes the smile and eating/drinking is extremely difficult.  B vitamins are great for nervous system help. No science that shows they can resolve the problem but certainly good overall. I wish I documented my first episode as it sounds so much like yours

Hi Sharon, thanks so much for starting this thread! As soon as I found it second time around I read through everyone’s story and felt it would be beneficially to document my recovery.

I’m sorry yours has lasted so long. I worry because I’ve had it twice at young ages 17 and 25 that I may get it a 3rd time somewhere down the road. They say it can happen during pregnancy. Did they diagnose you with synkinesis?

With both episode I’ve consistently had eye twitching that would last minutes. Continued for years even up until my second episode. Since recovery I now have twitches on the most recent side often. I’m sure this is a residual thing but haven’t read about others with this issue.

Drs. have said I have a twitch but you have to look hard and long to see it.  It doesn't bother me but you can have botox for it.  I did that in the beginning but you have to repeat the botox often.  Botox doesn't cure it.