Drooping face

[Shopkinsdoll]

Iv had watery eyes all week and yesterday when I was brushing my teeth I was horrified that my smile has drooped as if I my right side of my face has been paralysed. I feel ok apart from this. I went to a and e yesterday as I thought I’d taken a stroke. But the receptionist was rather rude and asked if I had a dental problem. I have a wobbly tooth on this side. The tooth wouldn’t cause this world it. I’m reading Bell’s palsy?

My Dad has this and it was Bells Palsy.

Had this, I should have said. Took a couple of months to go back to normal.

What happened at A&E? Were you seen after the receptionist?

Bells Palsy is very plausible, but a stroke should have been eliminated I would have thought.

Do you have access to a video call GP? Ours are using an app called LIVI and it's very good.

I would demand to be seen again to do test to rule out a stroke

Bells Palsy is more likely but you need steroids asap.

This has happened to three people I know! It's Bell's Palsy and it isn't permanent, but you do need to see a doctor. The medication may make you feel awful but you might be fine (experience of two friends, and my brother in law, respectively, all of who are fine now ) Sorry this has happened to you at such an unfortunate time but try not to worry.

Either go back to A and e or is there a local out if hours service operating?

Sorry, assuming it's Bell's Palsy, I missed your post and thought they'd eliminated the possibility of a stroke. Weird that they didn't.

Misread*

Did you get seen in A&E? Whether it is likely Bells Palsy or not, they need to rule out a stroke

If it is Bell’s Palsy speedy treatment is important for faster/complete recovery. So defo contact GP for advice.

It's Bells Palsy

I've had it severely but was treated with steroids and made a full recovery within a few weeks. You need treatment and preferably within 3 days of developing it. A healthcare professional should have picked that up immediately.

Yes, agree with everyone else. I would say it is Bells Palsy!

My DH has this years ago. Came on suddenly as you describe. He was sent to hospital where he was certainly tested for a mini stroke initially.

The receptionist was well out of order IMO. 😡 You certainly need treatment for this.

I went as my sister was making me paranoid about a stroke. She took me but waited outside a and e. I walked up and the receptionist asks why I’m here. I showed her my smile, which is lop sided, I said I was scared in case I had taken a stroke. She asked if I had a dental problem, I answered saying I have a wobbly tooth but isn’t bothering me. She asked if I felt unwell. I said a bit panicky and my eyes hurt and watery. She said rudely phone 111. Then I came home.

Bells palsy. It usually corrects itself within a few days but is quite uncomfortable to see and eat. Anti inflammatories may help. It can be stress related.

Will phone doctors tomorrow. It’s difficult as the doctors aren’t seeing anyone face to face. I don’t think it’s a stroke as my speech seems fine, right hand side is fine apart from my face. My sister just made me panic when she said stroke. Thanks for all your kind comments

They will see people face to face if it's necessary - they'll probably triage you on a phone call first.

It sounds like Bell's Palsy but you should get a stroke ruled out.

It is almost certainly Bells Palsy but you do need checking over. Bells Palsy doesn't usually right itself in a few days, treatment will help although it may be too late for steroids now.

It doesn't usually right itself in a few days at all, it can take weeks/months.

Will my smile go back to normal? What do the steroids do? Sorry for all the questions

Why did you not phone 111 like you were told to?

You should not have been dismissed so readily either by a non medically trained receptionist. Go back to A & E and have your sister with you for moral support when initially seen; do not allow yourself to be dismissed so readily again.

You need medical attention and treatment asap if this is indeed Bells Palsy. It is important to seek medical advice within 72 hours of onset, as research indicates that this is the optimum period of time in which Bell’s palsy will successfully respond to treatment.

The best recovery occurs where the duration and severity of nerve compression (inflammation) is minimised. The main treatment to help reduce inflammation and therefore relieve pressure on the facial nerve is oral steroids.

Prednisolone is the steroid usually prescribed for the treatment of Bell’s palsy and has been shown to reduce the severity of an attack. Please note that after 72 hours there is no evidence that steroids are effective in improving recovery.

This is a medical emergency, straight back to A&E and don't take no for an answer. I don't know how old you are but there seems to be an observable (but not yet understood) link between asymptomatic/ mild Covid in younger patients (30s and 40s) and strokes.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/04/24/strokes-coronavirus-young-patients/%3foutputType=amp

Sorry I mean don't take no for an answer from a receptionist, obviously listen to the medics!

You need to put in a complaint about the receptionist. They should not be making medical assessments on a potential minor stroke and sending people away.