Could I have gotten Bell's Palsy from the extreme amount of pain from my epidural? Please help.?

Question

Well, I've had BP since December of 03', so I think it's going to take longer than 4-6 weeks.

Answer 1

I don't think directly from the epidural but you may have been put into a position during the procedure which caused compression of the facial nerve which will lead to facial weakness and Bell's palsy. I am sorry to hear you had so much pain from an epidural... that is unusual. Your Bell's palsy will get better in the next 4 - 6 weeks. In the meantime try not to drool too much and definitely get some eye ointment to keep them moisturized all the time or else they will get irritated. Hope that helps... good luck.

Answer 2

Wow, that's rare, but I've had it before as well! When I had it nearly eight years ago, I was told that there is a small chance that you can get it from stress, but more than likely it is caused by the same virus that causes herpes, simplex one, the one that gives you cold sores. The virus attaches itself to the muscle that controls facial nerves on one or the other side. I haven't read anything that remotely suggests that it can be caused by pain OR an epidural! In cases of women having Bell's palsy however, I have read that pregnancy itself is common in 80% of the cases! Some of these people who are answering don't really know what they're talking about. I'm sorry that it has affected you for this long! Only in a small percentage of cases does the paralysis not return to movement again in four to six weeks!

Answer 3

Bell's palsy is caused by trauma to thee 7th cranial nerve and is not permanent,is caused by inflammation in the small bony tube called the fallopian tube ( nothing to do with the reproductive tubes), either the tube itself or the nerve, which causes pressure on the nerve, the nerve has not yet left the skull, so it effects ALL functions controlled by this nerve, the muscles of the neck, sound volumes,forehead, facial expressions, and the tear glands and the salivary glands in the front of the month. If not all areas are effected its not Bell's Palsy, but rather a inflammation of one or more of its 7,000 branches.
Most causes of Bell's Palsy or other facial nerve paralysis is from a viral infection, HSV-1, the same virus that causes chicken pox, and cold sores.
But surgery to the face, blunt force trauma,facial fractures,cyst, tumors,diabetics and tyroid conditions, as well as some other deases can cause this as well.
In pregnancy, the last trimester, possible for these reasons, increased content of fluids in the tissues, viral inflammation, or the suppression of the immune system that happens in the latter part of pregnancy.
Recurrences usually indicates viral inflammation due to HSV-1.

P.S. the epidural is to decrease pain during child birth, do you mean you had extreme pain during the administration of the epidural medication?
Just a note, not a scientific study but just in what this nurse has seen over the years......epidurals seem to slow the childbirth process. Natural childbirth with a local anasthetic at the vaginal mouth tend to be faster deliveries. Unless a ceasearan birth maybe needed.

Answer 4

Bell's Palsy affects the facial nerve (as others have said) but this is a MOTOR nerve and has NO sensory fibers in it. The only sign this nerve is inflamed is paralysis. The palsy of this nerve often is accompanied by neuritis (inflammation) of other nerves, such as the trigeminal nerve (the sensory nerve of the face) or others. If you had pain the first time you had the palsy, it is possible that the return of that pain is a recurrent neuritis (such as "shingles" also known as herpes zoster). This can also affect motor nerves again. The best thing to do is see a doctor right away. You can start antiviral medications and steroids to halt the process. Usually acyclovir or valcyclovir along with a short course of prednisone are all that is necessary. I am a little concerned that you "still have problems" from your first episode. Do you still have the same palsy? Did it ever get better? Does your face move at all? There are other causes of pain and facial paralysis besides Bell's.

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Answer 5

Yes it is possible! The epidural may not be the direct reason. More likely your body's reaction to the epidural. It happened to my neighbor after the birth of her baby. There are some treatments that may help. Ask you doctor. Many times the condition will resolve itself over time. I hope this is the case for you!

Answer 6

no, Bells Palsy is a neurological disorder, not caused by something like an epidural.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

wow i saw a woman who had that .... wholey cow! I was sad for her