Anyone Ever Experience Bell's Palsy?

Ugh! I feel for you! Every case is different, so I would continue to take the advice to explore all options, but I also wanted to sympathize as someone who's also had Bell's Palsy.

I got it on one side of my face near the end of my first pregnancy. I was also panicky, went to the ER, who took one look at me and knew what it was. It didn't START to get better until 6 weeks later (ugh) but I remember once I started to feel "tingly" on the palsy side, everything came back within a week or so, and soon after you couldn't tell it ever happened. It is so scary to have - you think it's never going to go away, but it does. I also took steroids that had no effect.

While I had the Bell's Palsy, I kept in touch with my cousin, a speech therapist, who told me about a therapy called e-stim (another poster also mentioned this) which could help in the rare case that recovery is even slower than mine.

So, I feel for you!!! Here's to a speedy recovery.

I second the recommendation to see a PT. I am not sure who is qualified in Chicago. I have seen great therapists through Northwestern Memorial. Also, I would recommend Mary Rachford at Naperville Physical Therapy, in Naperville. She can get you started on electrical stimulation, massage, exercise and other techniques to help preserve your muscle integrity and aid in its return. Although her clinic is a bit of a drive from Chicago, it is not too bad if you take 88 on off-hours to avoid the rush. Mary and the other therapists there are exceptionally qualified. Good luck and please keep us posted. Sending you healing wishes!!

I had bells palsy about 10 years ago. It took about a month and a half for my face to fully feel better. I didn't have any pain associated with it though. I was told that bells palsy is brought on my severe stress. I was lucky to be diagnosed and treated within the first 24 hours of the symptom onset. The doctor told me then that the longer you wait to start treatment the more severe the symptoms and the higher the risk of some kind of permanent damage.

I am so sorry you are going through this. I had just started dating my husband when I got Bell's palsy. I knew he was the one when he continued to date me and even take me to a friend's wedding with one droopy side!

Prayers for a speedy recovery.

You poor thing. I have know a couple people that have had it, but have never had any experience with it myself. I do remember it one case it took about 6 months for everything to return to normal. If you don't get any relief keep after your doctor to find something. You are your best advocate for health.
I will tell you after suffering with different types of pain, I have gotten the best relief from accupuncture. I was at the end of my rope with regular doctors and thought I would try it. It does not hurt at all, which surprised me, and the relief was immediate. If you live anywhere near Libertyville, there is a great place called Vital Points Therapy on Milwaukee ave. Most insurances cover some accupuncture at some level. And it sounds like anything
that would provide you some relief will be worth looking into.
Good luck and prayers for you and your family.

Hi - I got Bell's Palsy shortly before my 6-year old was born. I completely understand what you are going through!! My OB sent me to a neurologist as soon as I started experiencing the symptoms and then I was also treated with prenidsone and valtrex. I had it only on my right side and the numbness and paralysis started clearing up within a couple weeks and I was completely back to normal in about 6 weeks. The right side of my face still droops just a little bit if I get tired but other than that I'm fine. Mayoclinic.com has a great article about Bell's Palsy. Hope that helps! Good Luck!

First of all a CT scan only shows a "bleed" in the early stages of a hemorrhagic stroke. A definitive test would have been an MRI. Get that done ASAP. Please know that we are all praying for a swift recovery for you. And have the doc give you something else for the pain. This is a very unusual symptom of Bell's palsy.

I would find another doctor and FAST! My stepdad had bell's, but never experienced any pain with it. His did clear up over a few months and he is fine now. I would go to a good md and see where he/she refers you from there. ER doctors aren't always the best choice as I've learned from experience. They're there more for trauma cases than anything else. Good luck!

Hi! I am a physical therapist and although this isn't my specialty there are physical therapists who can treat Bell's Palsy and it can help significantly. I wish I had one to refer you to but you could try going to www.apta.org to find a PT with experience with this or call the association and they could probably help with a referral. Also, you should see a neurologist for this and the headaches. I hope you recover soon!

I had Bells Palsy just last July when my daughter was 10 weeks old. I guess it is commom during and after pregnancy. Mine lasted about 6 weeks (which I was thrilled about since many people's last much longer). I did have mine switch sides (the doctors did not believe me at first). I also had severe headaches and the pain behind my ear, and joint pain. Every case is different, hang in there, hope yours goes away quickly too. I did go to Physical Therapy, some doctors recommend it and others don't. I recommend it since the exercises seemed to help me.

I went through that with my 35 year old son a few weeks ago. It was scary, because we thought he was having a stroke. He was on the same drugs as you & still has had no improvement. It can take a long time. He is devastated with it. He got the opportunity to have his picture taken with the White Sox manager & his smile is so crooked.
I've heard that Bell's can be caused by the same virus that causes herpes (cold sores) & a few people told me that they got it from sleeping in front of a fan. I've never heard of anyone getting it on both sides of the face. It must be horrible. I would try doing a search on that. There has to be someone who's had it that way.
I wish you the best & hope that the healing starts soon for you.

I'm familiar with it but have had no direct contact with it. I am truly sorry this is happening to you. It sounds like you had the baby and have been in this awful whirlwind ever since - not the kind of whirlwind that people NORMALLY go through after having a child.

I hope you have a very supportive husband and family. My prayers go out to you that this is a short season in your life. So sorry!

I am so sorry this happened to you. My husband got Bell's Palsy 7 years ago on the right side of his face. I took him to the ER, got the prednisone, and he followed up with several doctors. Keep trying everything you can. I hate to say this, but his face still droops on that side, although it was way worse in the beginning. He refused to go to doctors after is lasted past 6 months and has basically given up. There has to be more that can be done. Keep trying! Don't give up. Read all you can. Many cases do go away by themselves. I wish I had more positive answers. Good luck!