h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I wish this had been around a few years back, when I woke up with Bell's Palsey. I'd been to the doctor for antibiotics for a cold I just couldn't shake, on a Friday afternoon, and woke up with a face that wouldn't work on Monday morning. I had no idea what it was - my eye wouldn't close, and my mouth drooped - my morning coffee was a challenge! He put me on a mild steroid, suggested an eye patch - I'd been holding my eye lid closed, because the air made it sting, and it dried out if I left it open. It took a couple of weeks, but I recovered completely. The secret is really early treatment. I think I must have been in the doctor's office within 2 hours of onset, and that helped. It was "going around" in our small city - I was his third case in as many weeks.

I had found out much later that I had this affliction as a child. It was onset from a snowball fight - the cold striking the nerve alongside the face and setting up Bell's Palsy. Symptoms for me, as a child, onset slowly - not like this time. And apparently, if you've had it once there's a splendid chance you can contract it again. Nice to know, eh? This time it onset very quickly and I was terribly afraid that I'd had a stroke. Because I was very young the first time, I didn't remember having it before and it was a whole new thing for me. It's been since August 13th when I first got diagnosed. I'm still experiencing some droop and foods aren't tasting the same (that's a real annoyance) and my hearing on the affected side is still a bit distorted, but it's better than it was. I didn't have the medications necessary for speedier recovery within the first 48 hours. I've been told that it will go away, just over time. Thank you for reading my article and for letting me know your story.

WINK

I also suffered from this problem, about 7 years ago. I woke up with a slight numbness in my right cheek, and part of my tongue felt odd. luckily my mother in law was visiting that day, and recognised the symptoms. She told me to get to the doctor's that day, which I did. He recognised it immediately, and prescribed steroids.
For me, the two main problems were my my eyes - my right eye still doesn't water properly today - and with my mouth. I seemed to slurr my words, as my lips were numb, (this also caused me to dribble and drool a lot!) and oddest of all was taste:
the best description I can give was that all food tasted grey!

To anyone out there who is suffering at the moment, don't worry, things do improve, even if you do look like Elephant Man for a few weeks!

One thing that's funny now, but wasn't at the time, is talking. My husband decided I needed to get out of the house, and go for lunch. I was foolish enough to buy into his idea. Poutine was all the rage then (fries with gravy and mozzerella cheeze), and I love it. Any of you with Bell's Palsey right now, try and say poutine, please. You'll see what I mean! I was almost in tears - over something as foolish as ordering lunch.

I know exactly what you mean - both of you. I'm still experiencing "grey" tasting food, which is really a bother because I just love food and the whole experience of eating. Talking is still somewhat of a problem, but only when I have to say something where I have to pucker my lips and produce an "f" sound right after - like prophet. Sounds more like someone flatulating - argh, how embarrassing! Thanks for sharing your experiences. I think it's just nice to know that it's more common than I'd ever thought and I'm not alone.

I'll have to try some of that Poutine - it sounds good. Got a recipe?

WINK

Oh, sure! Poutine's really easy. French fries, chips, shoestrings, whatever you call them where you are, pour gravy over them - both must be really hot. Shred mozzerella cheese and sprikle liberally over the whole thing. Its really messy, but so good! It came out of Quebec a few years back, and was all the rage.

Hang in there with the Bell's Palsey - this too will pass, and there is life after it!

Thanks for the recipe. I love trying new things and I've never been out of the "states" to try anything authentic. I'll give it a try over the weekend.

Take care.
WINK

I had Bell's Palsy on the right side of my face four years ago. Now I have it on the left side of my face. It is different this time, this time I can't eat due to my mouth being almost totally numb. Also I am having a lot of pain along my jaw and behind my ear, is anyone else having pain?

hi,
pain to answere your question is yes yes yes,
Lower jaw and behind the ear and across that side of my head, left side.

Third time for me and it appears to always get worse. But at least i now recognise it when it starts.

Got it now and had it 4 years ago and 2 years before that.

Anybody else had it this often?