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Original poster

Bell's Palsy

16 replies

seeker · 02/04/2008 22:08

My friend has Ball's Palsy. Has anyone on here had it? How long did it take to get better and did you recover completely? And tips on how to deal with it while waiting for it to go away?

OP posts:
deegward · 02/04/2008 22:12

Had this I think about when I ws about 25 (now 41). My face was paralysed totally on the left side, and to be honest took over six months for it to be completely right.

Even then when it was cold, or if I was stressed it came back!!

Since giving birth to m boys hasn't returned.

Its quite stressful as people don't understand what you are saying, and you are very concious of how "deformed" you feel your face is.

Tiggiwinkle · 02/04/2008 22:18

I had it quite a few years ago. Mine was caught early and treated with mega doses of steroids. It lasted about 3 weeks I think. I do have a very slight weakness on the affected side but so slight you would not notice.As mine was caught so early it did not get to the stage where I could not shut my eye, so did not have the problem of keeping it moist.
Is your friend having treatment for it?

Original poster
seeker · 04/04/2008 19:35

Thank you. No, she's not having any treatment - the doctor says it's best just to wait for it to go away.

OP posts:
sophiewd · 04/04/2008 19:38

My cousin had this and again was about 6 months before completely right. Lost a year of uni , happened in November and was back the year after.

looneytune · 04/04/2008 19:47

My friend recently got this and it sounds horrible. She's been told it should hopefully be all back to normal within 3 months, they gave her 10 days worth of steroids, i'm just waiting to hear back from her as to whether or not this has helped.

Tiggiwinkle · 04/04/2008 19:53

Hmmm. I am not sure I agree with the GP there, Seeker. The steroids really cut the attack short and lessened the effects-for me, at any rate.

Original poster
seeker · 04/04/2008 19:57

Thanks again - I'll tell her about the steroids when I speak to her later on this evening. We have the same doctor and he is brilliantly non-interventionist. Which is great if you don't want antibiotics or something like that - but it sounds as if he might need to be a bit more proactive in this case!

OP posts:
southeastastra · 04/04/2008 20:26

dp has it a couple of years ago, it lasted a month or so and still troubles him now and again. got some great advice on here for him.

Denny185 · 05/04/2008 17:13

Its linked to herpes simplex virus and affects the facial nerve supply. Steroids has always been the preferred treatment, some GPs will also prescribe aciclovir as well. Needs to be treated ASAP as the recovery can be dependant on this.

She can also do facial exercises in the mirror shaping the palsied side with her hands to encourage symmetry - smile, blink, wink, frown, raise eyebrows, say ooh, aah and eee.

If eye not shutting use some micropore tape to keep it closed during night or if going outside on windy day.

Issy · 05/04/2008 17:23

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request

cece · 05/04/2008 17:50

I had it about 8 years ago. Some docs believe steroids help but the doc I saw initially thought there was no evidence to prove they helped so didn't give me any.

My GP was not happy when I saw her two days later, as she was the sort who prescribed steroids. However, it was lucky I didn't have them because it turned out I acutally got pg that month. I think you have to start them within 24 hours of it starting anyway don't you?

Without steroids my palsy was significantly better within a month and completely better within 4-6 months.

It was horrible though as you completely lose confidence as you think you are very 'disfigured'. I had an eye patch to keep my eye closed and eye drops to keep them moist. But be prepared for the hilarious pirate jokes.

cece · 05/04/2008 17:51

Oh and a straw so that you can drink without it falling out of your mouth!

moopymoo · 05/04/2008 17:53

dh had this on our honeymoon! - spent a night in hospital how romantic.His face was partially paralysed for about a month. It never returned though he was warned it would

Milliways · 06/04/2008 21:32

My DS had this when he was 4 and was quite a celebrity at the hospital as was the youngest they had seen.

Fortunately, being so young, he was completely back to movement in 2 weeks (with no medication), but he did "Pull odd faces" when he was tired for quite a while afterwards

paperchain · 06/04/2008 23:05

I have also had this - about 16 years ago. Took a good 6 months to lose the droopy face. Unofrtunatley I still get symptoms now from time to tiem. (Pain along that nerce and pain in wind and cold weather and I still suffer form cold sores.) But thankfgully have not had the palsy itslf again

(I ahd all the tratemtnts that. the others have said. I was told quickl treatment was impoarant)

cerys · 07/04/2008 00:44

I got it 2 weeks before DD1 was born. I took steroids as they assured me she would be unaffected by them. It was 3-4 weeks before my face was back to normal.

I still have a very slight weakness on that side but not so you would notice when you look at me. I had to wear an eyepatch at night. I dribbled my drinks, so a straw is a good idea! People didn't know whether to look at my paralysed face or enormous pregnant stomach first - I did feel like a walking freakshow

Fingers crossed, it has never come back and I have had 2 pregnancies since then.

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