Bell's Palsy

Sarahsaver

I'm in doubly good company as Sharon Stone has had a stroke, same as me

savingsara_2

My ex-husband had Bell's palsy in the nineties. The first sign for him was a loss of sense of taste and one of his eyelids became slower to blink than the other. It turned out he had shingles on his trigeminal nerve which caused the paralysis. Other than steroids I don't remember what pills he was given, though he was given eye-drops.

His "weak" eye watered constantly outdoors so he was unable to work for some months (luckily he had insurance!!). He never regained the ability to whistle and had odd tics in his chin and at the side of his nose when he was tired.
My sister in law also got Bells palsy but has recovered fully.
Hope I haven't scared you and hope it isn't what you think it is.

Sarahsaver

It has eased off a bit but i am darned scared. I think if it carries on then I will phone the consultant at the hospital. One of the perks of having a stroke at a young age I spose - direct line to a highly respected consultant LOL;)

kittykirsty

Sarah, how severe is it? Try raising your eyebrows, then closing your eyes and also try smiling in the mirror and let us know how distinct the difference in the affected side of your face compared to the other side is?

Have you been able to see a doctor and get some steroids? How's your hearing doing? The first night i had it, one of my ears kept amplifying sounds which was scary at first, but was gone soon after so might be an indicator of how far along it's going?

It does look and feel a bit scary i know, but hopefully soon it should pass, best thing IMO is just to go on with your normal routines. Hugs and let us know how you're doing!

Sarahsaver

I could not shut my eye but today I can.
Spoke to my Yoga teacher and she said that would probably help, gentle stretching and keping mobile.
Can't take any medication for it as I am 'trying to conceive' as my medical notes put it. WAHEY

laura_24601

I had Bell's Palsy in 2004 (when I was 16) but I didn't get any treatment for it. I had it for about 3 weeks. I recieved a letter to go to the hospital for steroids but by then it had nearly all gone anyway.

beechescomposter

Sarahsaver wrote: »

Anyone here got or had Bell's Palsy? ( I have SUSPECTED Bells Palsy...according to the nurse)
Wondered what happened, did you have any tests or were you just left to get on with it.
Also anyone had an MRI scan privately? How much did it cost?
Thanks.

Private MRI scan costs £200 in Hereford. (see https://www.uk-radiology.co.uk). Bells palsy is nowadays investigated in case it is not Bells palsy at all but another cause of facial palsy.

mr_rush

Private MRI scan costs £200 in Hereford. (see https://www.uk-radiology.co.uk). Bells palsy is nowadays investigated in case it is not Bells palsy at all but another cause of facial palsy

this really isn't the case at all. You only investigate when there is suspicion of stroke - i.e. an ischaemic event or bleed in the base of the brain where the nerve that supplies the facial muscles (facial nerve) comes from.

the vast majority of Bell's cases are not investigated any further. They are simply treated - usually with a course of steroids, an eye patch and possibly a course of antivirals.

miffys_mummy

Sarahsaver wrote: »

I could not shut my eye but today I can.
Spoke to my Yoga teacher and she said that would probably help, gentle stretching and keping mobile.
Can't take any medication for it as I am 'trying to conceive' as my medical notes put it. WAHEY

why not ask this yoga teacher if she knows of a good homeopath ....bells palsy has been successfully treated many times by homeopathic treatment
...googling homeopathy and bells palsy is not necessarily a good idea as the remedy needs to be matched to your temperament etc not just symptoms ....could work out a lot cheaper for you than £200 for a scan ...and the homeopathy can help with conception too. Depending where you are in the country you may be lucky and have a cut price student clinic you can attend ....all is properly supervised ...good luck hope you are a bit better by now Fiona xxx

Toothsmith

miffys_mummy wrote: »

why not ask this yoga teacher if she knows of a good homeopath ....bells palsy has been successfully treated many times by homeopathic treatment
...googling homeopathy and bells palsy is not necessarily a good idea as the remedy needs to be matched to your temperament etc not just symptoms ....could work out a lot cheaper for you than £200 for a scan ...and the homeopathy can help with conception too. Depending where you are in the country you may be lucky and have a cut price student clinic you can attend ....all is properly supervised ...good luck hope you are a bit better by now Fiona xxx

Could you just remind me how much acitive ingredient is found in homeopatic medicines?

If you gave someone a packet of 'Magic' jelly babies with enough conviction, you would get exactly the same 20% cure rate that all placebos achieve.