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General health

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Original poster

Been diagnosed today with Bell's Palsy

17 replies

AnnOnimous · 15/12/2010 22:12

Does anyone else have this ... how long did it last for you?

My whole face feels weird, like I have had a dental jag, affecting the whole right side of my face, even the tubes to my ears feel a bit odd.

I have a slight droop to my mouth and cannot fully close my eye, or purse my lips.

Anyone with positive tales to tell?

OP posts:

Ormirian · 15/12/2010 22:14

Poor you

Mum had it when DS2 was born. SHe had a fluey sort of illness and the palsy started as that was getting better. IIRC it remained quite obvious for a few months but within a year there was no trace of it except when she was very tired and there would a slight droop to one side of her mouth.

SparklyJules · 15/12/2010 22:14

Not personally, but a friend had this and I think it lasted for 2 months. He is fully recovered, no lasting effects.

Wishing you a speedy recovery x

cece · 15/12/2010 22:16

Mine started to fade after about 3-4 weeks. But it really didn't go completely for 2 or 3 months.

Have you been given eye drops for your eye? I used an eye patch for sleeping as the eye doesn't close. You need the eye drops to mositen it as you won't be able to blink in the droopy side eye too.

I found using a straw for drinking also useful.

Rest as much as you can. I ended up with nuralgia pain as I continued to go to work with mine. I ended up being signed off work for 2 or 3 weeks because of it.

dietcokesholidaysarecoming · 15/12/2010 22:16

Best friend has had it twice. Lasted up to 2 mths.

Sorry to hear you have it at mo.

mumatron · 15/12/2010 22:20

ds had it when he was about 3.

went to sleep fine, woke up an hour later, one side of his face drooping.

took him straight to docs, then a&e. he was given steroids and eye drops. can't remember how long he was affected for tbh as it was 7 years ago.

he only has problems when he is tired now. his eyes don't blink at the same rate, and occasionally you can see the difference on photo's. the muscle in one eye is not as strong.

i think it depends on how fast you get the steroids iirc.

i took him back to see consultant about 2 years ago and they said he could have some sort of cosmetic surgery when he gets older if it bothers him.

hope you feel better soon.

Starsandplanets · 15/12/2010 22:22

I had this last year. It started to fade after a couple of weeks. Are you on the prednisolone? This helped me recover quickly.

Make sure you use any eye lubricant you are given as my eye occasionally still twitches, which I feel is as a result of not being strict with the patches and jelly.

Practice whistling and making sounds which will also keep the nerves functioning even though the messages are not getting through at the moment.

Ignore any ignorant comments made about your appearance (if unlucky enough to receive them), it will pass.

Original poster

AnnOnimous · 15/12/2010 22:28

I started on prednisolone (which such a big word when your lips are tingly) this morhing, but was not given an eye drops etc.

I may pop to Boots to pick some up.

Thank you for your advice.

OP posts:

cece · 16/12/2010 21:50

Interesting about the steroids, as I wasn't given them. The GP I saw said the evidence wasn't convincing that they helped.

usualsuspect · 16/12/2010 21:54

Poor you ,but I know several people that have had this and have fully recovered ..hope you have a speedy recovery too

LoveAndSqualor · 16/12/2010 21:55

friend of a friend had it - all fine now. I gather acupuncture was very helpful, if you can afford it/have access to a practitioner. Should speed up the healing process.

bb99 · 16/12/2010 22:01

My mum's had it (twice - but she's a medical anomoly apparently...) and my dad's had it...

She had steroids and anti-viral drugs and then lots of pysiotherapy for her face, to keep the muscle tone and et things back to 'normal'

She used one of those facial TENS machines and used to do face pulling exercises several times a day. She had an eye lubricant when her eye(s) weren't closing very well.

Re-assuringly they have both made very good recoveries and she is less wrinkly than she used to be (she jokes that it's her natural botox...) Dad didn't make quite as good a recovery, but he didn't do so much with the exercises and facial TENS etc.

She did feel very unwell and it took her a while to feel better, but if it was caused by a virus, then it usually tkes a while to get over flu IYSWIM.

Hope you feel better soon and make sure you get pysiotherapy if you need it - the exercises really helped them both.

cornyPrawnsdefrostJasonDonovan · 16/12/2010 22:02

my mum had it and it lasted a week or so - hope you feel better soon

Starsandplanets · 17/12/2010 11:22

cece apparently the steroids are most effective if taken in the first 24 hours, after 48 hours their effectiveness really declines.

I was lucky in the quick treatment I received. :)

Chaotica · 17/12/2010 16:18

DS had it partially when he was 2. Didn't get the eye droop but the rest of one side of his face went. He recovered without steroids (as it was too late by the time the doctor diagnosed it). In his case it was caused by an ear infection and went after a couple of weeks.

A friend had it for much longer though.

cece · 17/12/2010 21:08

I have heard the 24 hour thing. I did indeed see a doctor within 24 hours but h still said in his opinion he didn't think they made any difference, so didn't think I needed them.

Original poster

AnnOnimous · 18/12/2010 15:13

Thanks everyone, I am now three days in, and getting used to the sensations. I now have added ringing/tinnitus in my ear too, which is annoying.

Thanks for all the advice.

OP posts:

ReadingTeaLeaves · 19/12/2010 23:43

My mum had it about 35 years ago and I only mention it because it does still crop up when she's very tired / ill / had a lot to drink. The treatment wasn't so good then but she also admits that she didn't take the treatment as seriously as she might and she admits that she thinks that if she'd done physio etc she'd probably not have had the recurrance so much (no idea if that's true - a specialist should be able to tell you). My gran also had it when quite elderly and it was quite pronounced so I assume that recovery rates are much improved if you are younger vs older.

Hope all works out well for you.

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