Bells Palsy

[Amoregelato]

Have searched historical threads and whilst there are some they don't really tell me what I'd like to know!

My DD was diagnosed with Bells Palsy last Friday. She's only 17 and I feel really bad for her.
She has been given a very strong course of steroids for 7 days which will finish tomorrow. She did see the DR this week but unfortunately she went by herself as dh and I at work and she didn't ask the right questions. She said it was a waste of time going and the GP was less than helpful - said she'd just have to ride it out. Which, whilst I know is technically true, her advice and guidance stopped at this and seemingly her kindness and empathy too.

The hospital Dr said to carry on as normal. I asked her about sport (DD trains 3 time a week) and she said that was fine. However, reading the internet suggests that she should rest. Is that just in the early days, or throughout the duration of the BP.

Also will be popping to the pharmacy today to ask the question but someone suggested to me that with such a high dose of steroids (12 tablets every morning) that these should not just be stopped. Is that right? Should she then start taking ibuprofen? The BP hasn't improved with the steroids but it doesn't seem to have got worse.

Often, recovery from Bells Palsy is not quick. It took months for my face to return to 'normal'.

Just because someone suggested that a high dose of steroids shouldn't just be stopped doesn't make it fact. I was on a high dose for a short period (can't recall the exact duration) and I stopped them at the end of the course.

It's best for your DD to follow medical advice to the letter and if the GP was unhelpful, your DD can book an appointment with another GP.

It's very scary to have half of your face drop, but a full recovery is possible as long as medical advice is adhered to.

Best wishes to your DD for a full recovery.

DH had Bells Palsy earlier this year with high dose steroids and anti virals for a short period I think 10 days. OK to stop at the end of a short course, it's if you've been taking them for an extended period it's an issue. His cleared up in a few weeks. He carried on doing his manual work (self employed so no money otherwise). Other than the steroids it is one where you just have to wait it out and it will gradually improve which can be 6 weeks to 6 months.

My DS had Bell’s Palsy as a teen too, quite a shock for us. He also had a really high steroid dose for about 10 days, and recovered quite quickly, no lasting effects. As said above for a short course stopping suddenly is fine. Fingers crossed for a full recovery. I can’t remember if DS was told to rest or not.