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Anybody Heard of Bell's Palsy?

nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,078 ******
edited May 2002 in General Discussion
I came down with this affliction a few days ago. I thought I was having a stroke, but could not explain why the effects were confined to my face. One half of face does not work. Blinking the eye is an effort and I can only make half a smile. Mine is a mild case. Lots of people have one eye they cannot close at all.

Various medical associations are at odds as to what causes it. They all agree that it usually goes away on its own, but I am taking a cortisone pill to help with the symptoms.

SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the best gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net
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Comments

  • smokinggunsmokinggun Member Posts: 590 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes nunn, I heard of it for the first time a few weeks ago. My niece who is 30 came down with it. It was a mild case like yours. My wife did some research and found out that it is caused by major stress or stress from another underlying severe illness. The stress part makes sense. She works full time, takes college classes part time, has a one year old son and to top it off her husband is very irresponsible and immature. An example of the husband is: On the night she found out about the Bells Palsy she was in bed trying to get some rest, the husband had a bunch of friends over to party and celebrate his birthday. When I saw her about two weeks later it broke my heart to see her face, one side looked really bad. That was Easter weekend, I saw her this weekend and she was fine like it had never happened.

    Just the other day I asked my brother about a friend that I haven't seen in a while. My brother said that he saw him the other day and that he looked awful. My brother called his girlfriend up and found out he has the same thing caused by stress.

    I had never heard of it before and yours is the third case in just a few weeks.

    Nunn, if you are under a lot of stress I think you should take definitly take a break. I don't know much about this disease but I will ask my wife where on the net she found the info and let you know tomorrow.

    Take it easy and hope you feel better.






    Edited by - smokinggun on 05/06/2002 02:12:47
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  • HighNoonHighNoon Member Posts: 444 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Actually stress may play part of a role. Some believe a virus is the culprit or compression of * nerves.

    The cortisone you're taking should help to relive the symptoms quicker. Don't be alarmed if they continue for as long as a couple of months, though it usually diminishes in a couple of weeks.

    You're doctor probably told you, but make sure the eye that's affected stays wet with artificial tears (Visine, etc.) or you could end up with an eye infection. And be careful when eating because you may be slightly more prone to choking with one side of the face numb.

    Hope this helps. Not to worry, it will go away.
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  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I became inflicted with it two years ago and only recovered 85%. HighNoon is right, use artificial tears and tape your eye shut at night and manualy blink during the day. I thought it was a stroke at 44years old.
    No one knows for sure what causes it or how to cure it. There are support groups for this infliction.
    One thought on the cause of this is the drug cyclobenzaprine.
    It took me two months for recovery.

    Good Luck

    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
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  • gunpaqgunpaq Member Posts: 4,607 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    One of my pilots got it 10 years ago, went away in about 1 1/2 months. Another friend got last year. He used an electrical stimulator (like the rock hard ab gimmicks) to accellerate the healing process.

    Pack slow, fall stable, pull high, hit dead center.
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  • Josey1Josey1 Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I hope you get well Mr. Nunn,BTT

    "If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878

    Edited by - Josey1 on 05/06/2002 07:05:56
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  • hackerhacker Member Posts: 162 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    i have heard of it. partial paralysis of the face. it is usually temporary and i absolutely believe it is stress induced. don't laugh, but try some deep breathing and meditation on a regular basis. like several times a day. i was nearly crippled last year by back pain. wound up in the emergency room twice. i was conviced that i had a ruptured disc or something. went to spinal specialist and found out that i have a perfect spine. it was just muscle tension due to stress. now i do breathing exercises and mental cleansings when i feel my back tensing up and it really works. i am about 90% better. good luck, man.

    i never make misteakes.
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  • William81William81 Member Posts: 25,352 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Nunn, I wish you all the best with this....My Dad is currently dealing with it and so far so good. He has been on a couple different medications as well as some antibiotics. His Dr. also sent him to a Chiropacter (SP). His * droop has pretty much cleared up.



    Edited by - william81 on 05/06/2002 13:07:09
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  • gap1916gap1916 Member Posts: 4,977
    edited November -1
    Strange that this post should show up. A co worker of mine, husband, came down with this over the week end. She is doing some research on it as I type.
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  • cpermdcpermd Member Posts: 5,273 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    No one knows the cause but I don't think stress is involved.
    Full recovery depends on your age more than anything
    Subtract your age from 110 and that gives you your % chance of full recovery.
    Steroids have not been proven to help but we give them anyway.
    Have you had any tick bites.
    cpermd
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  • YankeeClipperYankeeClipper Member Posts: 669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've seen it befor. Get well soon.

    Helping keep America free: One gun at a time.
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  • VarmintmistVarmintmist Member Posts: 1,074 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    GET checked for lyme, RIGHT NOW.

    cpermd almost said it, I am. I got lyme, caught it early, 30 days antiboitics its done. A guy at work didnt catch it in time, they treated him for bells palsey, he spent 6 months doing intraveinios IV's, after they figured it out.

    Not saying it is lyme, but CYA in this case is a good rule of thumb.
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  • XracerXracer Member Posts: 1,990 ✭
    edited November -1
    Hope you get better soon, Nunn. Most experts conclude that this is a temporary condition....hope it's very short in your case.

    For those of you who wish more info:

    http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/bells_doc.htm
    http://www.bellspalsy.net/
    http://www.bellspalsy.ws/
    http://neuro-www.mgh.harvard.edu/forum/BellsPalsyMenu.html
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  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    This is taken from Tabers Medical Dictionary, which most nurses and drs use. It is also used in medical and nursing schools.
    Bell's Palsy: unilateral * paralysis of sudden onset. The cause is unknown but is presumed to involve swelling of the seventh(*) nerve due to immune or viral disease, resulting in compression of the nerve at the point where it leaves the bony tissue. Characterized by weakness of the entire half of the face followed by paralysis. The patient cannot control salivation or lacrimation(tears) and in severe cases cannnt close the eye on the affected side. * expression is distorted.
    Treatment involves protection of exposed eye by temporary patching or use of drops.. Cortiscosteroids, such as oral prednisone, may decrease acute pain.
    Partial * paralysis in invariably resolved with several months. Likelihood of complete recovery after total paralysis varies from 50% to 100%
    Hope this helps, but Bells palsy usually does NOT leave permanent paralysis... Take care..
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  • dheffleydheffley Member Posts: 25,000 ✭
    edited November -1
    Nunn,

    Keep a close eye on it. I was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy, and they began treatment. It didn't improve, and they put me into the hospital. It turned out to be Guillian Barre' Syndrom. It is a viral infection of the central nervous system,mainly in the spine, and there is no known cure. They pump you up on massive amounts steriods, and you're body either fights it off or it doesn't. Don't dink around with it. If it gets worse or there is no improvement, have the doctor check for Guillian Barre' Syndrom. The sooner they start treatment, the better chance they have. I'm not trying to put the fear factor out, but my doctor told me if I had been diagnosed earlier, there would not have been as much nerve damage. We'll put you on the prayer list for a full recovery. Let us know how it goes.

    Save, research, then buy the best.Join the NRA, NOW!Teach them young, teach them safe, teach them forever, but most of all, teach them to VOTE!
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  • RosieRosie Member Posts: 14,525 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I had a full blown case a few years ago. when it started I went to my doctor and the first thing he said was, "It may be a stroke" wanted to run some tests and make me wait a few days for the results. SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME! Told him I wanted to see a specialist NOW! Sent me to Fort Wayne and was told what I had. They said a virus causes it. Took me about two weeks to get over it but had a full recovery. One side of face droops down and the other side pulls up to compensate for it. Looks like hell. Had to keep my eye taped shut.
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  • deceedecee Member Posts: 456 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Prime Minister of Canada, the not so honourable Jean Chretien had Bells Palsy. That's how he gets away with speaking out of the side of his mouth.
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  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,078 ******
    edited November -1
    WOW! Thanks for all the replies and good wishes.

    No tick bites. Not in a long time. We just don't have many ticks in the blackland part of Hunt County. Gotta get out into the sandy soil.

    I am supposed to go back for a follow up next week. Some of you scared me a bit with the other stuff.

    I will stay on top of it.

    SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the best gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net
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  • alledanalledan Member Posts: 19,541
    edited November -1
    It is a disease that once was very easily mistaken for fibromialgia in some people.

    Never ask why but only the value of.
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  • austin247austin247 Member Posts: 375 ✭
    edited November -1
    Nunn, maybe our place was an anomaly, but I grew up in Hunt Co., between Greenville and Wolfe City, and our place always had ticks. You could hardly go out to the back 40 in summer without slathering up with Off, 'cause if the ticks didn't get you the chiggers definitely would. My mother still lives up there, and she was treated for Lyme Disease a few years ago.

    I won't tell you to avoid stress, since a peace officer telling another peace officer to avoid stress would be like JFK telling Bill Clinton to avoid women, but I will say good luck to you, and I hope all comes out o.k. for you.
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  • CAndres35CAndres35 Member Posts: 453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Nunn: good luck toyou. my mother had it when she was young but got over it. when she got old and she got very tired you could still see the side of her face droop. recently a member of my sunday school class had an attack and now [two months later] you can hardly tell he had a problem. i hope you have a speedy and full recovery. CARL
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  • timberbeasttimberbeast Member Posts: 1,738 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    All the best from all of us here, David......
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  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,078 ******
    edited November -1
    Maybe it's the fire ants. I don't think ticks and fire ants will co-exist. At least I never see them hanging out together.

    SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the best gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net
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  • beachmaster73beachmaster73 Member Posts: 3,011 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    nunn...I'll say a few prayers for your quick recovery. Beach
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  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,078 ******
    edited November -1
    It occurred to me that chiropractic care might be of some help, so I went to see my old friend and fellow gun nut, Dr. Norman Hall. He worked over my head and neck, and next morning, I had much more control of my right eyelid. Not back to normal yet, but much improved. Smile is still lopsided.

    SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the best gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net
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  • RockinURockinU Member Posts: 248 ✭
    edited November -1
    Scratch the fire ant thing...I've got plenty of both here. Anyway, I dated a girl in high school that got it...I was pretty shallow back then, so I dated her again in about 3 weeks when it cleared up...best wishes.
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  • varmit huntervarmit hunter Member Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Nunn,No one else mentioned this. It can also be caused by exposure to high wind on one side of the face.You haven't been out boating, Are a high speed chase with your head out the window have you?.

    Please keep us posted on your progress.If you feel you need a neurologist,Let me know.I can get you to one of the worlds best in Houston.

    A unarmed man is a subject.A armed man is a citizen.
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  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,078 ******
    edited November -1
    No big wind. But something interesting is that my right ear is very sensitive to wind, especially cold wind. Maybe some relation?

    Everybody at out PD is issued a winter hat. It has earflaps and most of the troops think it looks silly. I am one of the few who wear it, I put mine on before anyone else, and I am about the only one who uses the ear *.



    SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the best gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net
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  • texshootertexshooter Member Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey Nunn,
    Hope you have a Speedy recovery. I know 2 different folks that have had this in my area, (17 miles northwest of your homestead), and they made a full recovery in a few months.
    p.s. Tell Super Cop Hughes to watch out for you!

    tex
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  • squeakycsqueakyc Member Posts: 204 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hi........My friend had the same problem about 10 years ago. They were never really exactly sure what caused it. They had many of the same possible causes I have read in other posts. He seemed to overcome it in about 7 to 9 months. Occasionally he shows signs of its' return when he is really stressed out about something. But overall it hasn't been a major problem for him.
    Good luck and I hope you are feeling better soon..................squeakyc
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  • varmit huntervarmit hunter Member Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Nunn,Made a couple of calls today. Both guys that had it described the ear thing.Both of them had been exposed to cool wind on the side that was involved.One was hunting,The other fishing.Both were O.K.in a month.

    A unarmed man is a subject.A armed man is a citizen.
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  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    How are you feeling nunn?.. Hope its getting better.. take care
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  • RockinURockinU Member Posts: 248 ✭
    edited November -1
    Funny, I signed on to look for this thread to see if there was an update...how are you feeling?
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  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,078 ******
    edited November -1
    Well, it has been about two weeks since I first noticed symptoms. They have gradually faded, and I have about 90% of my muscle control on the right side of my face now. I no longer have to consciously squinch my eyes shut to get the right one to blink all the way. And I am not drooling out the right corner of my mouth anymore.

    I was REALLY lucky. This was a very mild case. I appreciate the information and the good wishes. Thanks to all who replied.

    nunn

    SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the best gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net
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  • RockinURockinU Member Posts: 248 ✭
    edited November -1
    Glad to hear your better, and here's to that other 10% coming back. (Takes a pull from the aluminum can)
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  • moparmopar Member Posts: 338 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    David,

    Glad to hear you're doing much better now.I wish you a full and speedy recovery.Good Luck Bud!
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  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,078 ******
    edited November -1
    Taking this back to top. Another member wants some of the information herein.

    Nunn

    SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the best gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net
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  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,078 ******
    edited November -1
    BTTOMT.

    SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the best gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net
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