Help with part facial paralysis

[texaxile]

Hi,
I'm really hoping PH can come through here.

My Dad recently had major surgery on his neck and face which involved the cutting and removal of some muscles which control his mouth. As a result he can't drink properly without it coming out of the side, and has trouble using a straw as he can't purse his lips together. He can chew, swallow etc but half of his mouth is effectively uncontrollable.

He's fully physically able and has movement everywhere apart from his neck and RHS of his face ( half of the mouth area).

Can anyone suggest a type of cup, special straw or even method to help or anything that might make life a bit easier all round?.

Thanks in advance everyone

[moorx]

Does this help at all?

https://www.facialpalsy.org.uk/support/patient-gui...

All the best to your dad.

[texaxile]

moorx said:

Does this help at all?

https://www.facialpalsy.org.uk/support/patient-gui...

All the best to your dad.

Yes mate, many thanks, that's very helpful and gives me a few pointers. As this is a new thing to him, having had the op last week, it's very much a case of trial and error, but that's a good guide to help us move forward.

[jamie w]

texaxile said:

My Dad recently had major surgery on his neck and face which involved the cutting and removal of some muscles which control his mouth. As a result he can't drink properly without it coming out of the side, and has trouble using a straw as he can't purse his lips together. He can chew, swallow etc but half of his mouth is effectively uncontrollable.

Sounds similar to a 13 hour surgery I had in 2019, cancer related. With similar side effects.

If I must use a straw I just pinch my mouth shut on the non closing side to stop leaks.
If I have to use a bottle, putting it to the leaky side of my mouth works to stop much leaking out.
Can't drink out of narrow glasses without leaks, so whatever I'm drinking I need a wide glass.

General eating is a bit of a challenge, stuff falls out sometimes. I just take my time and make sure I've got some kitchen roll or a napkin/serviette to keep as tidy as I can.

I was pretty down about it for a few months post op (after several weeks on a feeding tube).
Doesn't bother me now, it's just become normal. If I'm out somewhere eating/drinking with others I'll mention it to people. Makes me feel a little better about it.

Good luck to your Dad dealing with it, hope these few words give him a bit of reassurance that he's not the only one.

[texaxile]

jamie w said:

Sounds similar to a 13 hour surgery I had in 2019, cancer related. With similar side effects.

If I must use a straw I just pinch my mouth shut on the non closing side to stop leaks.
If I have to use a bottle, putting it to the leaky side of my mouth works to stop much leaking out.
Can't drink out of narrow glasses without leaks, so whatever I'm drinking I need a wide glass.

General eating is a bit of a challenge, stuff falls out sometimes. I just take my time and make sure I've got some kitchen roll or a napkin/serviette to keep as tidy as I can.

I was pretty down about it for a few months post op (after several weeks on a feeding tube).
Doesn't bother me now, it's just become normal. If I'm out somewhere eating/drinking with others I'll mention it to people. Makes me feel a little better about it.

Good luck to your Dad dealing with it, hope these few words give him a bit of reassurance that he's not the only one.

Many thanks for your reply, yes, that was the reason for the surgery, lymph nodes removed at the same time.

He's getting as bit frustrated with it at the moment, I told him to try and cut his food up into small pieces , he wears full dentures as well which doesn't help but at least in small pieces he doesn't struggle to chew and swallow.

I got some silicon straws to help, and he does pinch the side of his mouth which allows him to drink, which was a worry of mine as he isn't drinking enough either but he's now coping better than he was.. The anesthesia hit him pretty hard and it took him a good few days to get back to his normal self.

Thanks again for your words of reassurance, I'll pass them on and it'll go some way to making him feel better. I can't imagine how hard it was for you to undergo a 13 hour op and rehab, but its good to know you've come through it and are coping, and hopefully my dad can do the same.