Wellness

[Tissyanne]

On 10/8/2014 castlenv said:

Just been diagnosed with this. Has anyone had any experience with Bell's? I am taking a steroid and viral meds but understand that it just takes time for the muscles to get back to normal. My main concern is that I am unable to blink my left eye and need to keep it covered. Any info/support is appreciated.

I developed this when I was 27 years old. I had no prior warning, other than some dizziness the days before. I could not close my right eye, and the doctor had me wear a patch at night. You don't want your eye to dry out. I had been sleeping with a fan blowing on me at night, and was told this likely brought it on. You are taking steroids which will shrink the inflamed nerve which causes the numbness. I recovered in about one month. It is considered a benign condition, unrelated to a stroke. It is not a panic situation, so do not let posters hype the condition into a frenzy. You are on the right track, just keep your eye moist, and let the medicine work.

[kaydee50]

Thank you all for your input. I had conjunctivitis in my right eye which was successfully treated. Then I started having pain in my left ear and jaw. My left side is numb--cannot smile without leering!!--but no other pain or discomfort. My primary concern is for my left eye which does not blink. Just bought some "artificial tears" and an eye patch.

This is not life threatening and does not lead to stroke although the neurologist wants me to have an MRI which is doubtful I will do. My problem with the medical system is that doctors do not keep things simple. He prescribed 2 drugs. I prefer to wait a few weeks to see how I react to them before looking for something more serious.

According to what I've read about Bell's it is more common in people under 60 and I'm 64. As a poster said, worse things can happen and as long as I can eat--although I've already lost 3 pounds in a week, a good thing--sleep and get around, I'm not complaining (too much!)

Thanks again everyone. This is the forum at its best.

[BOYINTX]

I keep a window a/c in bedroom to keep it at one temp all year long. I let the central cool at diff levels in the main house. Ok so I for years had it blowing in my direction and now I am going to re set temp and move vents. I hate a fan blowing on me as I suffer allergies. In Tx the summers are terrible and I use a window a/c so I can control the temp and not bother others in the main house.

Gosh is this forum informative.

[Misscindy]

I had Bell's Palsy 26 years ago when I was pregnant. I am now 55. I had it for 3 months and it slowly went away except for a slightly ""lazy"" right eye. Unfortunately I found out 6 years ago that my eyes haven't been closing all the way down at night and I kept having reoccurring corneal abrasions. Because I also developed keratitis in my eyes I now tape them closed with 2 by 2 gauze pads at night. I use Nexcare sensitive tape and Genteal gel for lubrication. If I were you I would definatley tape your eye closed because you have the inability to close it on its own. Also look into massage therapy to strengthen the muscles around the face. I had no information back in the day but now they say that massage of those muscles is crucial.

[Misscindy]

I also would not use an eye patch. Your eye is still staying ""OPEN"" under the patch and it will dry out even with ointment. Drops are not enough. You can use those during the day. Buy the Johnson and Johnson 2X2 sterile gauze pads and cut them in half or smaller. Take a small piece of the Nexcare tape and tape just the top and the bottom of the gauze. Then apply over the eye.

[gazelle77]

Doctors automatically prescribe prednisone as per what they were taught....there is no study proving prednisone helps Bells Palsy one bit. I put my prescription down the toilet. I healed up 100%. The bad side effects of prednisone we're enough to make me not want any of those side effects on top of what I already was dealing with.

[kaydee50]

On 10/8/2014 pvtdevinmom said:

I also would not use an eye patch. Your eye is still staying "OPEN" under the patch and it will dry out even with ointment. Drops are not enough. You can use those during the day. Buy the Johnson and Johnson 2X2 sterile gauze pads and cut them in half or smaller. Take a small piece of the Nexcare tape and tape just the top and the bottom of the gauze. Then apply over the eye.

Thank you so much, pvt.! You have offered specific, helpful advice and I greatly appreciate it! You're right about the eye patch. Except for making me look like Long John Silver, I don't think it will work at night!

[gazelle77]

On 10/8/2014 BOYINTX said:

I am not one to panic but this should be viewed by everyone. I did have no idea it was so bad. Did you cry from pain or just the emotional tired of it cry or both ?

Ans in one post here i see it can hit any age or gender.

Interesting fact about Bell's Palsy is that it is VERY common! The reason no one knows about it is that people hide out at home those weeks they are afflicted by it....no body sees them! That is what my doctor told me. I cried when I had it out of frustration! Yes it was uncomfortable,but also just so darn irritating and a pain in the A**.( actually face

[Tissyanne]

On 10/8/2014 pvtdevinmom said:

I also would not use an eye patch. Your eye is still staying ""OPEN"" under the patch and it will dry out even with ointment. Drops are not enough. You can use those during the day. Buy the Johnson and Johnson 2X2 sterile gauze pads and cut them in half or smaller. Take a small piece of the Nexcare tape and tape just the top and the bottom of the gauze. Then apply over the ..

[elaine nj]

I've had it twice, about 10 years apart, on the right side of my face. No pain and it took about 6 months to totally go away, although the paralysis started improving at 2-3 weeks. My doctors said time heals as well as medication or other procedures, so I just let it run its course.

Turns out I was allergic to the adhesive on the eye patches so I just used an ointment on my eye. I had an almost complete recovery, although my eye waters frequently now.