Can anyone help me out on Bells Palsy?

Question

I was just diagnosed with Bells Palsy,the doctor gave me nothing to take for it kinda just acted like it was NO big deal.It is to me it has affected the majority my face .I tried to find research on the internet.But it seems to me each places is conflicting the other.If anyone can enlighten on this at all please do so.Any info is appreciative.

Answer 1

Hello! I know it really affects our confidence and the way we look ourselves. Bell's palsy will heal by itself in a matter of months. Just sleep well, take vitamins, exercise and hava a healthy lifestyle. Don't let it destroy your self image. You are beautiful as long as you feel that you are.

Answer 2

While not a common affliction Bell's Palsy is not rare. Last stats I read stat about 40,000 cases reported in the US last year. The virus (from the herpes family) can lay dormant in your body and flare up when you are stressed or rundown.

I have had 3 major attacks of Bell's Palsy. Each lasting a few weeks long (6-12 weeks) and leaving more residual effects.

My doctor gives me steroids for treatment. Doctor recommends hydration, avoiding diet soda and stress. Not very easy to do.

I see an acupuncturist for the migraine headaches associated with the attacks.

It will resolve on it's own however it is distressing while you have it.

Answer 3

The doctor's found out last week that I have Bell's palsy and I have a strange question I have pain only in my right arm to the elbow and in the palm of my hand as if hot razor blades are digging and cutting in to me every now and then in my fave is this normal or should I be worried

Answer 4

I have had it before, and you are right, it is caused by the Herpes virus, the same one that gives you the cold sores. At least that is the best diagnosis that they have. Apparently it attacks one of the major nerves in the facial area, and its duration is usually two weeks to a month, and feeling slowly comes back. It does not happen very often, which is why people don't know much about it, but it usually is benign. I don't want to mislead you, however, because sometimes in rare cases, the feeling does not come back, or it comes back, but not completely. Hopefully this will not be the case with you. And it is even RARER that you will get it more than once in your life, so I wouldn't worry about that. It is a real pain (not literally--you can't feel anything actually), and it's embarrassing, but cheer up--chances are GREAT that it won't last long at all! Best of luck!!

Answer 5

If you've been researching Bell's palsy, then you probably know what it is -- essentially facial paralysis. In terms of treatment, it's controversial whether to treat it or not, and most doctors won't, because it tends to resolve on its own, as well as currently-available treatment options being unproven. However, anti-inflammatory corticosteroids have been sometimes used because it is thought that inflammation of the facial nerve is the cause of Bell's palsy.

Answer 6

I had Bells Palsy, and my doctor told me it is 100% recoverable, but sent me to physiotherapy of the face right away.

He told me not to worry, but to be very responsible with my physiotherapy and to take my pills (sent me B complex to take for 30 days and a little dose of prednisone for 10 days)

Answer 7

WHAT IS BELL'S PALSY?
Bells palsy is a condition that causes the facial muscles to weaken or become paralyzed. It's caused by trauma to the 7th cranial nerve, and is not permanent.

WHY IS IT CALLED BELL'S PALSY?
The condition is named for Sir Charles Bell, a Scottish surgeon who studied the nerve and its innervation of the facial muscles 200 years ago.

HOW COMMON IS BELL'S PALSY?
Bells palsy is not as uncommon as is generally believed. Worldwide statistics set the frequency at approximately .02% of the population (with geographical variations). In human terms this is 1 of every 5000 people, and 40,000 Americans every year.

IS BELL'S PALSY ALWAYS ON THE SAME SIDE?
The percentage of left or right side cases is approximately equal, and remains equal for recurrences.

IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE BECAUSE OF GENDER OR RACE?
The incidence of Bells palsy in males and females, as well as in the various races is also approximately equal. The chances of the condition being mild or severe, and the rate of recovery is also equal.

WHAT CONDITIONS CAN INCREASE THE CHANCE OF HAVING BELL'S PALSY?
Older people are more likely to be afflicted, but children are not immune to it. Children tend to recover well. Diabetics are more than 4 times more likely to develop Bells palsy than the general population. The last trimester of pregnancy is considered to be a time of increased risk for Bell's palsy. Conditions that compromise the immune system such as HIV or sarcoidosis increase the odds of facial paralysis occurring and recurring.

CAN BELL'S PALSY AFFECT BOTH SIDES OF THE FACE?
It is possible to have bilateral Bells palsy, but it's rare, accounting for less than 1% of cases. With bilateral facial palsy, it's important to rule out all other possible diagnoses with thorough diagnostic tests.

CAN BELL'S PALSY AFFECT OTHER PARTS OF THE BODY?
Bells palsy should not cause any other part of the body to become paralyzed, weak or numb. If any other areas are affected Bell's palsy is not the cause of the symptoms, and further testing must be done.

HOW DO THE SYMPTOMS OF BELL'S PALSY PROGRESS?
Very quickly. Most people either wake up to find they have Bells palsy, or have symptoms such as a dry eye or tingling around their lips that progress to classic Bell's palsy during that same day. Occasionally symptoms may take a few days to be recognizable as Bells palsy. The degree of paralysis should peak within several days of onset - never in longer than 2 weeks (3 weeks maximum for Ramsey Hunt syndrome). A warning sign may be neck pain, or pain in or behind the ear prior to palsy, but it is not usually recognized in first-time cases.

IS BELL'S PALSY CONTAGIOUS?
No, it is not contagious. People with Bells palsy can return to work and resume normal activity as soon as they feel up to it.

WHAT ABOUT RECOVERY FROM BELL'S PALSY?
Approximately 50% of Bells palsy patients will have essentially complete recoveries in a short time. Another 35% will have good recoveries in less than a year.

Regardless of the trigger, Bell's palsy is best described as an event - trauma to the nerve. As with any other injury, healing follows. The quality and duration of recovery is dependent on the severity of the initial injury. If the nerve has suffered nothing more than a mild trauma, recovery can be very fast, taking several days to several weeks. An "average" recovery is likely to take between a few weeks and a few months. The nerve regenerates at a rate of approximately 1-2 millimeters per day, and can continue to regenerate for 18 months, probably even longer. Improvement of appearance can continue beyond that time frame.

IS MUSCLE ATROPHY A CONCERN?
Not as a rule. It takes longer for the muscles to start to atrophy than it takes for most people to fully recover.

IS BELL'S PALSY LIKELY TO HAPPEN AGAIN?
The possibility of recurrence had been thought to be as high as 10 - 20%. These figures have been lowered as more has been learned about conditions that are now diagnosed as other types of facial palsies. Estimates of the rate of recurrence still vary widely, from around 4 - 14%. Most recent reports hover at 5 - 9%. The average timespan between recurrences is 10 years.

Answer 8

http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/bells_palsy.html

This seems to have a lot of information for you. It seems there are some options - so good luck. Be strong!