Bell's Palsy-? Ever had it or know someone that did? | FerrariChat
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Bell's Palsy-? Ever had it or know someone that did?

Discussion in 'Health & Fitness' started by F430racer, Feb 28, 2010.

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  1. F430racer

    F430racer Rookie

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    #1 F430racer, Feb 28, 2010
    Long story short - I woke up this morning and though I had a Stoke while I was asleep. The entire left side of my Face was Frozen and Unresponsive. If I smiled only the right side of my mouth moved. I was having trouble blinking with my left eye too. I instantly started checking my own Vitals. Arms, Legs, Balance, Vision, Blood Pressure..seemed fine. Woke up the Wife within 5 minutes and showed her what was going on. She thought I was playing a joke a first! We went to the Hospital quickly and was Diagnosed with Bell's Palsy. The Doctors told us told that 99% of the time it only temporary and will go away on it own, it will last anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months. I was given a prescription for Prednisone to take for 13 days to help speed up the Swollen Nerve causing the Paralysis. Thank God it wasn't a Stroke! This is one of the craziest things that has ever happened to me. I'm only 35, So I'm sure there's more fun stuff to come. Has anyone else ever have this or know someone who has? Thanks..
     
  2. ylshih

    ylshih Shogun Assassin
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    #2 ylshih, Feb 28, 2010
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2010
    Sorry to hear about that; I hope you get well soon. My brother got it 2 years ago. It took a lot longer than 3 months for him, closer to 6 months for the external appearance to go away. It's been a couple of years now and he says it still feels slightly numb to him and that he can tell it's not right when he looks in the mirror. He does not take care of himself very well, though.
     
  3. drjohngober

    drjohngober Formula 3

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    #3 drjohngober, Feb 28, 2010
    This is a fairly good generalized description of Bell's Palsy. I personally believe it is caused by inflammation of the facial nerve with a least some sort of viral component.
    Make sure your physician places you on an systemic anti-viral like acyclovir as soon as possible. This significantly reduces the time it takes for function to return. If your doc did not prescribe an antiviral, check for specialists in your area that treat BP patients.

    http://www.webmd.com/brain/tc/bells-palsy-topic-overview
     
  4. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 wax, Feb 28, 2010
  5. blackbolt22

    blackbolt22 F1 Veteran
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    #5 blackbolt22, Feb 28, 2010
    I am an optometrist and see this fairly often. You have already received the proper advice, meds, expected recovery time etc. It will be ok.
     
  6. F430racer

    F430racer Rookie

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    #6 F430racer, Feb 28, 2010
    Thanks everyone for the Replies and PM's. Just these simple little things help. I'm trying to keep in good spirits, and am hoping for a speedy recovery. Work tomorrow should be interesting, But I know it will help pass the time and keep me from Dwelling on my Bell's Palsy. I'm more of an observer here on Ferrari Chat, but maybe I'll start getting a little more involved. Thanks again..
     
  7. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 ryalex, Feb 28, 2010
    Jean Chretien had it. Maybe time to run for office?
     
  8. hank sound

    hank sound F1 Veteran

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    #8 hank sound, Feb 28, 2010
    Hi F430racer,

    I've known many people who have been struck with that weird Bell's Palsey. I once heard a theory, among many, that it can be caused by blowing your AC vents directly onto your face. OK, whatever-------------but in all the cases (I'm not a doctor) that I've been aware of, in time - - and this is very IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!! in time, it can just go bye-bye. You are young. I'll wager that you simply hit a curve with too much speed, spun out, but, you didn't crash. Your brain is still reeling from the "event" and your questions (fears) are non stop, but I'm sure you will be fine. Don't be impatient......... be strong and flexible (mentally). It will take some time - it really will - at least that is how it played out with the folks that I knew.

    Here's wishing you a complete recovery,

    Hank
     
  9. racerx3317

    racerx3317 F1 Veteran

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    #9 racerx3317, Feb 28, 2010
    Ayrton Senna once had it too when he was with Lotus. Perhaps it's time to start a career in racing, lol. Wishing you a speedy recovery..
     
  10. Bill Sawyer

    Bill Sawyer Formula 3

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    #10 Bill Sawyer, Mar 1, 2010
    I had it and it went away in about 2 weeks. That was about 2-1/2 to 3 years ago. It's never come back.
     
  11. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 TexasF355F1, Mar 1, 2010
    That's very scary.

    Best on getting back to normal quickly!
     
  12. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #12 BigTex, Mar 1, 2010
    Get well soon!

    I have known two people with cases, it is viral IIRC.....both of them got well, but keep an eye on it...

    Finding a specialist is probably good advice.
     
  13. Kds

    Kds F1 World Champ

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    #13 Kds, Mar 1, 2010
    General Curtis LeMay had Bells Palsy........caused by long term exposure to cold and a lack of oxygen at altitude before crew masks and in-flight breathing systems were introduced. It is why he always had a cigar in his mouth......to mask his frozen facial features.

    Get well soon.......
     
  14. F430racer

    F430racer Rookie

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    #14 F430racer, Mar 1, 2010
    Thanks again everyone for the kind words of encouragement! These little things do help keep me keep in good spirits. Work today was a little tough. I'm a General Contractor / Custom Home builder. So I got Razzed a little by my guys, but no harm done. At lunch things got a little worse, but the Doctor said that it would, before it got any better. I had to start using a Straw to drink, otherwise liquids just poured out the other side of my mouth. Eating is also quite a challenge. I keep biting my lip. I have my eye taped shut to keep it protected from dust and to keep it moist, since I can't blink. I wonder what tomorrow will bring? Can't wait to put a notch on my belt once this is over. Thanks again FC members!
     
  15. larz1

    larz1 Karting

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    #15 larz1, Mar 7, 2010
    I know its a bit late to reply to this, but as others have mentioned already the advice you've been given is good. An old co-worker of mine had a spell with it several years ago and while it did take about 6 weeks in his case once the medications had done their job you couldn't tell he'd ever had it. Chin up. A healthy attitude is an important factor in the way we heal.
     
  16. F430racer

    F430racer Rookie

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    #16 F430racer, Mar 21, 2010
    Well, thought I'd give an update. This Bell's Palsy crap is the worst thing that has happen to me (health wise). I have lost most of my Vision in my Left eye. (The affected side by the Palsy) Two weeks ago, as I was starting to Ween off the Prednisone, I woke up with almost NO vision in my Left eye one morning. (everything is Blurry and out of focus, BAD) Rushed again to the Emergency room. Got a Cat Scan, MRI & blood work done to rule out, Tumors and other things that could cause the Vision Problem. The next day I saw a Retina / Eye specialist at the hospital. He dilated my eyes and injected a Dye into to me so he could see and photograph my Macula and other parts of my eye with some fancy machines. (The dye also made me Sick as hell for a couple hours.. throwing up and everything) Tells me I have extra fluid around my eye, mostly likly caused by weening off the Prednisone. I have no artery grown, Retinal detachment or Macula degeneration. So I guess that's good. I have also developed severe Acne of the face, neck and back do to the Prednisone. (worse than I had in high school) I made sure the Docs and Pharmacists knew I was deathly allergic to Levaquin and Cipro, But everyone assured me I would be fine with the Prednisone. What can you do? I have been off the Prednisone now for over a week. And am still waiting for things to improve. It's been hard going to work with Bell's Palsy, only one working eye and bad acne. Anyone else know of problems like this with Prednisone and Bells Palsy.. Thanks..
     
  17. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #17 ryalex, Mar 21, 2010
    Sorry to hear. I did 2 cycles of prednisone when I was 20 that ruined my [already slow] metabolism, gained nearly 100lbs from it within a few months. I would never touch it again unless it was life or death.
     
  18. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #18 TexasF355F1, Mar 22, 2010
    I'm really sorry to hear it has gotten to the point it has. Very scary and a big wake up call for all of us to pay attention to our bodies.

    I wish you my best and hope you get back to feeling better quickly.
     
  19. larz1

    larz1 Karting

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    #19 larz1, Mar 24, 2010
    Steroids can really tear some people up more than others. I've had to take it a few times but in my case it just irritates the living hell outta my gut and makes me feel like hammered hell. I know quite a few people who've had serious weight gain problems that took a long time to work off, but it WILL work off eventually.
    The biggest problem is that it takes so long for the residuals to finally get filtered out of your system once you quit taking it. I don't think I've ever heard of anything that will accelerate that process.
     
  20. F430racer

    F430racer Rookie

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    #20 F430racer, Apr 13, 2010
    Finally on the Road to Recovery! Since this weekend things have been getting better every couple hours. Vision in my left eye is about 80% back to normal. I have most of the function back in my left side of my face too. I'm just so glad everything is Finally going the right way! Just thought I'd update...
     
  21. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #21 TexasF355F1, Apr 13, 2010
    That's GREAT!!! I'm happy things are starting to get back to normal for you.

    Thanks for updating us and continue to let us know how things are going.
     
  22. Testacojones

    Testacojones F1 Veteran

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    #22 Testacojones, Jun 23, 2010
    Late post, but it happened to me just after waking up and thought of a stroke too. It was back in '01 if I remember right.
     
  23. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #23 ryalex, Jun 23, 2010
    My friend just got it here a week ago. She's a defense lawyer too, in court every day... makes it tough and awkward for her but everyone is supportive.
     

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