Bell's Palsy

One week ago, a dear, dear friend of mine woke up with Bell's Palsy. She had had a bout of bronchitis that they suspect triggered it. It was very scary because she thought that she had suffered a stroke. She had no feeling or control of the muscles on the left side of her face - her eye wouldn't close and her mouth drooped severely. She started using a little devise she has that is supposed to exercise the body's muscles with little electrical pulses. She used it on the lowest settings and after just a few days, she was able to close her mouth. Her eye only closes half-way but it has only been a week. Maybe this is helping her, maybe not. She was willing to try just about anything to avoid the steroids the doctors suggested. Apparently, Bell's Palsy is set off by infection, so she is also on a cleansing diet, as well as antibiotics. Who knows? Maybe none of her efforts are really changing anything, maybe she would have started recovering this fast anyway. Yet, feeling like she is doing something is great for her morale. She told the people at her job that she had a bad Botox treatment, like Sylvester Stallone! The most encouraging things that I've heard about Bell's Palsy is that it is temporary and rarely do people get it more than once. I wish you continued success with your recovery and I'm sure you and your family will appreciate your beautiful smile even more than ever!

I was diagnosed today with Bell's Palsy, It was quite a shock, So far my friends and family have helped me, although they are taking the mickey because they are talking out of the side of their mouth they are makin me laugh about it and it is keeping me happy, I only realised this morning that something was wrong, Now I cannot close my eye, I don't know what caused mine, I had a slight chest infection last week but nothing that they can understand that would cause it, It just happened, I suppose I am just unlucky. Im actually quite upset that I cannot smile now, I love to laugh and smile with my mates and it is now laughing and smiling about my condition and them takin the mickey out of me. I had never heard about it until today and my doctor had to look in the text books to find out what was wrong with me because he had never seen a case of it. I am now on steriods and anti viral pills. My eye has already started to move although not much and people have already said they have noticed that my mouth does not droop so much after only 12 steriods (one days worth) and 2 anti viral pills as I was only diagnosed at 5pm. I am determined to get better soon, I am meant to be celebrating my 19th next month and I would prefer not to be on medication by then. Fingers crossed. I hope you are better now and smiling that wonderful smile!

My husband said that he had this condition many years ago. I know others who have had it and it has flared up years after they first had it. My husband will not drive with the window open on him for fear of a flare up.

A good friend of mine had Bells Palsey following a bad tooth infection. (or so that is what they tell her was the cause). She had an abnormal smile for almost a year afterward, but it finally did return to normal. She had to do a daily regimen of facial exercises. (they looked really funny and I would kid her..all in good sport of course!)

I am sorry to hear that. I did read up on this medical condition online and I am glad to hear that you are recovering from it. Great news! I am sure with time your smile will fully return.