I've had Bell's Palsy for over 11 years now. I'm one of the 10% that never fully recovered - although I'm back about 40% of my old self. If anyone would like someone to discuss this with, I'm your person!
I had never heard of Bell's Palsy. The morning that I woke up with it - my face felt a little "funny" - thought I had slept on it in an odd position. After I had taken a shower that morning and was putting on my makeup, I realized I couldn't move my mouth or close my eye.
I thought I might have had a stroke, although I felt fine everywhere else. I went to pick my husband (then boyfriend) up at work and said to him" I think I might have had a stroke". I went to the emergency room - the nurse in triage was very kind and said to me " I'm telling you this so you won't be nervous. I had what you have. It's called Bell's Palsy. It's nothing to worry about".
Ei :)
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Bell's Palsy
- By Ei
- Posted January 7, 2009 at 6:22 pm · 2 replies
- In Living your life
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- By bobbi28
- Posted May 28, 2009 at 5:41 pm
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I, too, got Bell's Palsy about 10-11 yrs ago. Thanks to the magic of plastic surgery my face looks totally symmetrical when I don't speak. Because I lost my left eyelid (due to drooping) I had an eye lid lift-bilateral. That was a nice benefit I could have lived without. Sadly the doctor wasn't totally honest because insurance would have paid for the Bell's side, as it did years later when I had the lower eyes done (different doc).
The spasms have been relaxed by Botox injections. Has anyone suggested these to you? They also help balance some of the asymmetry in my face. But I can only smile closed mouth. Hey, at least it's not terminal.
Hope this helps.
Bobbi28
- By Ei
- Posted May 28, 2009 at 5:57 pm
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Hi bobbi - How nice to receive a note after all this time! Luckily, unless I smile - you can not tell I have bells palsy - and even then, some people think I just have a "cute crooked little smile" As I get older - 54 now, I notice my left eye is not quite the same as my right - but I try to "even"them out with a little make-up trick. I don't get spasms - only cramps in my face, like when I try to take a photo with a camera and have to close one eye (that ever happen to you?) but it's only when I am straining the muscles in my face, so it doesn't happen often. I guess I am fortunate in some ways. You are right though, there are much worse things - but I sure miss being able to take a picture with a nice big smile. But that should be the worst thing that even happens to me.
Good luck to you - and judging from your photo - you still look beautiful!
Ei
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