Discussion
I got it last week or at least what they think it is, On Wednesday my face was a bit numb and within 24 hours I couldnt hardly open one side of my mouth, cant shut my eye which is resulting in poor vision, one side of my tounge is numb.
It seems to be getting a bit worse each day since.
I have read some of the online assesments about it just wanted to get soem real lift advise on how bad symptions were, if they got alot worse before getting better, treatments used, what to expect etc etc
It seems to be getting a bit worse each day since.
I have read some of the online assesments about it just wanted to get soem real lift advise on how bad symptions were, if they got alot worse before getting better, treatments used, what to expect etc etc
It's kind of an all or nothing thing really, once the nerve is turned off, it can't really get any worse.
Occasionally it responds to steroid injections, but that's usually a last resort if I remember correctly.
Normally the palsy spontaneously resolves in 7-14 days. I found it really annoying as it was wearing off, it was like the tingly feeling after getting local anaesthetic for a filling, but it lasted for about 24 hrs. You'll probably also find it tricky to eat, your buccinator muscle is used during chewing to keep the food between your molars, with the palsy, your buccinator won't work, so you'll find yourself like a hamster with a cheek full of food on a regular basis.
Console yourself with the thought that you can now raise one eyebrow in a quizzical manner very easily
Occasionally it responds to steroid injections, but that's usually a last resort if I remember correctly.
Normally the palsy spontaneously resolves in 7-14 days. I found it really annoying as it was wearing off, it was like the tingly feeling after getting local anaesthetic for a filling, but it lasted for about 24 hrs. You'll probably also find it tricky to eat, your buccinator muscle is used during chewing to keep the food between your molars, with the palsy, your buccinator won't work, so you'll find yourself like a hamster with a cheek full of food on a regular basis.
Console yourself with the thought that you can now raise one eyebrow in a quizzical manner very easily
My friend got it during labour, the effects lasted about 6 months for her.
At the time it caused her a lot of upset, her eye wouldn't close and constantly streamed with water, her mouth drooped and caused her speech to slur. It did get better 100% and she was warned it may occur in subsequent labours (Luckily it didn't happen again.)
At the time it caused her a lot of upset, her eye wouldn't close and constantly streamed with water, her mouth drooped and caused her speech to slur. It did get better 100% and she was warned it may occur in subsequent labours (Luckily it didn't happen again.)
Can cause a lot of upset. If you are certain it's a Bells (lower motor neurone 7th cranial nerve issue) and not a stroke then I suppose you can leave it to nature.Opinions seem to vary but treatment with oral steroids early in course can help as suspected compression of nerve as it exits your skull.This compression is thought by many to be viral so some might throw in antivirals.Important to protect the exposed cornea of eye at night with lubricating ointment and tape.Physiotherapy can be useful but as with everything nowadays opinions seem to vary.....so in a nutshell if it happens to you see a medical person soonish.ie this does not constitute specific medical advice yadda yadda.HTH.
HUW JONES said:
Can cause a lot of upset. If you are certain it's a Bells (lower motor neurone 7th cranial nerve issue) and not a stroke then I suppose you can leave it to nature.Opinions seem to vary but treatment with oral steroids early in course can help as suspected compression of nerve as it exits your skull.This compression is thought by many to be viral so some might throw in antivirals.Important to protect the exposed cornea of eye at night with lubricating ointment and tape.Physiotherapy can be useful but as with everything nowadays opinions seem to vary.....so in a nutshell if it happens to you see a medical person soonish.ie this does not constitute specific medical advice yadda yadda.HTH.
Agree with all of this, though I would add that the eye needs to be lubricated at all times, not just at night, as the cornea tends to dry out after about 20 seconds of non-blinking and artificial tear drops tend to provide lubrication for about half an hour or so, at most, so drops need to be very frequent.PM for further advice. I'm an eye surgeon, so can give my perspective.
Hi Hew, You are pretty much spot on, are you a GP ? The Hospital ran various tests and I think were happy it was not a stroke, They did take bloods which I have to go back on Friday this week for results and further checks.
I am on Antiviral and Steroids, they have stated that often it will go within about 10 days which I can handle but I am hearing it can be 3 months / 6 months / more which to be honest will get me very down, I am in a business meet enviroment and its effecting my speech, at times worse than others, I cant focus at all times from the eye but am wearing an eyepatch at night and having drops.
I am on Antiviral and Steroids, they have stated that often it will go within about 10 days which I can handle but I am hearing it can be 3 months / 6 months / more which to be honest will get me very down, I am in a business meet enviroment and its effecting my speech, at times worse than others, I cant focus at all times from the eye but am wearing an eyepatch at night and having drops.
Hi there,
Sorry you have been afflicted by this rather scary condition. Have seen quite a few cases over the years in general practice and all have made a complete recovery. Provided the docs. you've seen have excluded other causes of quick onset neurological symptoms then you should be optimistic...would concur with all of the above.
Sorry you have been afflicted by this rather scary condition. Have seen quite a few cases over the years in general practice and all have made a complete recovery. Provided the docs. you've seen have excluded other causes of quick onset neurological symptoms then you should be optimistic...would concur with all of the above.
bean455 said:
I had it befor Christmas,we think it was riding my bike with my visor up.Went to Hospital,they put me on steroids,got rid of it in 3 weeks.Trouble is it`s hard sleeping,as your eye is wide open,tried using a patch,but that was hopeless.It took 10 weeks to catch up on lost sleep!
Yeah, never use a patch. It's a waste of time. The eye is often open underneath the patch and the cornea is scratched by the pad. It's better to use lubricating ointment and closing the eyelid with some surgical tape, affixed to the upper cheek.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff