Bell's Palsy

[livingwith]

I was diagnosed with Bells Palsy Sept. 15, 2008, the left side of my face, thank god it was a mild case, it went pretty much away with the medication within two weeks, here it is Oct. 9, 2008 and the right side of my face is numb. went to the doctor today and she put me back on the stroids and veletrax. she also said I was the first patient she had seen that this happen too back to back. Has this happen to anyone else out there?
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[MARIARECTOR1N2O]

On September 30, 2008, I attended a family reunion. My great nephew on his late teens, had a really bad case of Bells Palsy: When he spoke his mouth was on his left cheek. The doctors said that it will take 5 months at least to go back to normal.
I was diagnosed with Bells Palsy on the right side of my face, October 2, 2008. I went to emergency thinking that it was a stroke. I was prescribed 7 days of antibiotics and 5 days of steroids (Prednisone 20 mg two per day).
My family doctor, prescribed additional steroids stronger dosage (I forgot the name) for additional 5 days. I had secondary effects: it gave me palpitations on the first hour, but I took them anyways. The worst part of it is the dryness of my eye, that keeps me up at night because I have to apply it again a few times during the night. The emergency Doctor recommended over the counter eye lubricants: Genteal. One is a liquid form and the other one, has the consistency of an ointment. The last one helps at night. It lasts longer, but the use during the day, interfered with my vision, so I only use it at night before bed time.

At the ER the doctor suggested that was probably caused by a cold virus that I had a few weeks before. But really, I think that they are not sure!
The nurse that drew blood for me had it, three months before and her friend only a few days before me.

[SUMMER_2]

Hi There....

Did it eventually go....I just found out I have it...am prescribed the same dosage as you....

I am so scared...never had anything like this in my family.....

Please let me know how long it took, to go away..

Thanks
Summer

[MARIARECTOR1N2O]

Hi there,

The good news is that I was fortunate. Within four weeks my face was normal again. It is scary but have faith: it will go away. Take your medication faithfully, specially the steroids. I did certain things on my own, thinking that I needed to exercise my facial muscles. Nobody told me to do it but massaged my face gently, massaged my forehead, my temples, tried to raise my eyebrows, puckered my lips, I smiled very broadly, made faces, etc. I did all this in front of the mirror, I looked really silly but who knows! may be it did help...
It is not hereditary or contagious. Do not worry, it will pass.
Take care,

Maria

[SUMMER_2]

Hi Maria,

Thank you so very much for your reply.....

Makes me feel better......gosh...I certainly hope it goes before 4 weeks....yikessssssss

That's what I have been doing too...rubbing my face...forehead....making facial expressions.....hope it help's....did you have to wear a patch over the one eye.....and if so....what type of tape did you use to tape the eye shut....

It's so embarrassing......

I am so gratefull for your reply...

Thanks
Carol

[MARIARECTOR1N2O]

I did wore a homemade patch. I took some sterilized gauze and I tape it with a non allergenic tape You buy it over the counter. Ask the pharmacist. I think that there is a special eye patch. Do not forget to use the gel type Gentil brand it will help a lot protecting your cornea.
Good luck,

Maria

[SUMMER_2]

Hi Maria,

when you say to use the gel type....are you talking about a gel that I put right into my eye...I'm using these lubricant drops right now.....

I appreciate all your help.....

Thanks
Carol

[MARIARECTOR1N2O]

It is an ointment that you put inside of your eyelid and then you gently rub it, so it will spread evenly on your eye.

It was recommended by the ER Doctor and it works very well preventing dryness of your eye. If you use it during the day it will interfere with your vision, because is like baseline.

Use the special lubricant during the day. I believe that the brand name is Gentel (you can check my first posting for the right spelling)

Good luck,

Maria

[SUMMER_2]

Thank you again....my husbamd is going out right now to buy it....

Just one more question....how long were you on the medication for....I am on predisone, and this other drug for any viral infection I might of picked up......but this was given to me at the walk in clinic, and my family Doctor is on holidays untill Dec.1 and I only have a 5 day supply of the predisone....and 7 days on this other drug....

Thanks
Carol

[MARIARECTOR1N2O]

7 days of one antibiotic
7 days of a different antibiotic
5 days of Predisone 20 Miligrams
5 days of another steroid I do not remember the dosage or name. I am sorry.

Maria