Confronting Bell's Palsy: An Informative Look at Symptoms, Treatment, and How I Cope

On May 18^th 2007 as I started to get ready for the day I noticed my smile was grotesquely lopsided and that one side of my face appeared to be paralyzed. In a panic, I headed to the emergency room in fear that I had suffered a stroke. After many tests, I was informed I had Bells Palsy.

Bells Palsy is a weakness or paralysis affecting the muscles on one side of the face due to inflammation or trauma of the facial nerve. In my case the most prevalent feature of this manifested in the muscles around the lower lip of my mouth and my right eye. Bell's Palsy occurs more often in people recovering from viral infections and people who have diabetes. This follows true in my case as I had recently suffered with a bad cold for nearly two weeks.

Symptoms:
Bell's Palsy symptoms include an overall droopiness on one side of the face as well as possible drooling. Some may experience pain in or around the ear area as well and the possibility of numbness on the affected side. Eye problems, either excessive tearing or not producing the needed amount of tears can also present as a symptom. Additionally, others may experience a change in their ability to taste foods as well as some sensitivity to sound.

My symptoms started as pain in the back of my neck and head. Over the course of several days the pain turned acute and moved to encompass my ear and into the beginnings of my jaw area. The day before my paralysis presented, I had twitching sensations in my lip. This is where the paralysis was noticeable at first. The twitching moved to my right eye once symptoms of paralysis began. The following day my eye became more heavily involved. Blinking and closing my right eye has since become more difficult.

Diagnosis:
Before diagnosing Bell's Palsy other medical conditions need to be eliminated such as the possibility of a Stroke or TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack). In both Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack, facial paralysis presents as a symptom. A physical and neurological exam are needed to make a correct diagnosis and determination.

Treatment:
Treatment for Bells Palsy may include an antiviral drug called Acyclovir and possibly the use of steroids. Acyclovir is a medication used to control the Herpes Virus. It is commonly used in cases such as Shingles, Chicken Pox, and Bell's Palsy as it has been found to reduce symptoms caused by these conditions as well.

I was informed by my ER doctor that in most cases Bell's Palsy symptoms can resolve in sometimes days to weeks but that the possibility existed that full recovery could take months or longer.

My face in the mirror looks unlike my own but I am trying to confront this unwelcome visitor with humor. They say laughter is the best medicine so I will laugh even though I look like I could boot Quasimodo out of the tower at any time. Life is what you make of it. I am intent on facing my mirror with grace and a smile... just a bit lopsided.

If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms do not hesitate seeking medical treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a determination on what may be causing facial paralysis. If you have questions about Bells Palsy or its causes please check out the resources listed.

Resources:

www.bellspalsy.ws/treatment.htm "Bells Palsy Information site"

www.webmd.com/brain/understanding-bells-palsy-basics "Understanding Bell's Palsy - The Basics"

www.webmd.com/brain/tc/Bells-Palsy-Topic-Overview "Bells Palsy- Topic Overview"