Question:
Anyone had Bell's Palsy and have the surgery?
I was just recently diagnosed with Bell's Palsy. My surgery is scheduled for Dec. 4th. I'm scared to death! I've only had Bell's for 2 days, but I'm trying to get a bigger picture. Even if you know of someone having Bell's Palsy, I would love to hear from you even if they didn't have the surgery! Thank you and God Bless! Beth — Beth A. (posted on September 2, 2003)
September 2, 2003
I had bells palsy a couple of years ago it only lasted a few weeks. The
only really bad side effects I had was terrible headaches and not being
able to drink without drooling . I had to get a MRI to make sure everything
was ok I think you will be fine before surgery
— shae7755
September 2, 2003
I have had Bells Palsy twice and actually had it severe enough that I had
decompression surgery both times (each side of my face). My first episode
was 1986 and the second was 1992. I had surgery because following one month
there was no progress or return of movement implying the nerves were dying
within a bony cavity. I recently has lap RNY and the BP had no effect. the
two should have no connection and you should be fine. Good Luck!
— maria R.
September 2, 2003
I had Bell's Palsy almost three years ago. At first I was scared and
thought I was having a stroke. It took ME months to get over the droppy
faced look. I had temporarily lost the sense of feeling and taste on one
side. To this day I still notice a difference (left eye closes more often,
eye brow twitches when I smile) but no one else does. I just had surgery
one month ago, did not reappear or affect me more than usual. Take heart,
most people recover completely from Bell's Palsy with no after effects-you
just look funny for awhile.
— candylnd24
September 2, 2003
I had an attack on my right side of my face in 1996. It cleared up 95%. A
year later, I had an attack on the left side of my face and it was MUCH
worse. Since then, I have had seven more attacks on the left side. Only one
of them has been after surgery, and it was because I had 14 teeth pulled at
the same time... too much stress on the nerves. My face has returned about
60% of its motion, but it is still pretty obvious (at least, to me). Check
out my picts on my profile... if you want better ones, where you can see it
better, let me know... Bells Palsy is a weird thing... and it is nice to
have someone out here to commeserate with! :~) Feel free to email me and we
can chat! :~) Hugs!
— Sharon m. B.
September 2, 2003
Marie Richard -- I read your reply and would like to talk to you about your
compression surgery.... I can't access your profile to email you for some
reason... please email me!! [email protected] THanks!! Sharon
— Sharon m. B.
September 2, 2003
Hi I had Bells Palsy several years ago. I think it was 1984. I went to my
physician and he wanted to give me cortisone shots, etc. I didn't know a
lot about Bells Palsy and was not aware that it could be quite serious and
a condition that would not go away and could cause long lasting results.
But I did know I didn't want cortisone! My right side of the face was
affected. I couldn't close my eye and drooled when I tried to eat or drink!
Since it had to do with nerves and I had always had trouble with my neck, I
decided to consult a chiropractor. I had 3 adjustments from him in 1 week
and my Bells Palsy was gone within 1 1/2 weeks from the onset! I felt it
getting better after the 2nd treatment. I've never had another onset. It
stems from a nerve behind your ear. If your neck or upper back is out it
can have serious effect. I'm not a Dr. but I know what helped me. When I
went back to my physician he was SHOCKED that it was gone and that quickly
without any kind of treatment from him. Just thought I would throw my
experience into the equation. Good luck to you with yours I know how hard
it is to put up with that. I don't know how anyone does it for any length
of time. I am SO THANKFUL for my quick recovery.
— Sharon B.
September 2, 2003
Hi Beth. My husband isn't having the surgery, but he has had Bell's Palsy
several years ago. It scared the heck out of us because we thought he was
having a stroke! We were lucky in that he didn't get it as badly as other
people have, but the thing that helped him was seeing a chiropractor. If
you didn't know he had it, you would never notice. The only lingering
effect is a little bit of a droopy eye - but I'm really the only one who
notices. I wish you the best of luck with both you Bell's Palsy and your
surgery. Keep the faith.
Vicki
— [Deactivated Member]
September 2, 2003
Hi--my sister had Bell's palsy a few years ago. Most of the pain she
endured was on her "good" side, because it was having to do twice
the workload (chewing, swallowing, talking). She saw a chiropractor
several times for manipulations and electrical stimulation of the face and
neck, her palsy cleared up within about 6 weeks with no afer-effects.
Physician offered no help, there is apparently not much that traditional
medicine can offer. Most people will have a complete recovery with no
intervention. Of course stress and worry can make any bad situation worse;
look into chiropractic treatment.
— Cisbell
September 3, 2003
I had a mild case of bell palsy a year ago. I had nervous twitches over my
left eye and lip. I also notice when I tried to smile I could not control
my left side of my face. My face felt numb. I thought it was just my
nerves, b/c I was going through a stressful situation. This went on for a
week. Than I went to the doctor. I was givinga a prescription of
cortsteroids and some type of antiviral medication. After a week I felt
completely back to normal. I did finish the medication off. Luckily I did
not get a facial distortion. I had surgery this past June and it was not
an issue.My surgeon did not even questioned it.
— Just P
September 3, 2003
My son had Bell's Palsy when he was 17 years old. He was on high dose
Prednisone for about a week. It cleared up after about 2 weeks. Bell's
plasy is caused by an irritation of the 7th cranial nerve. I was most
concerned when I read it is sometimes caused by Lyme disease. Luckily he
didn't have that!
— koogy
September 3, 2003
Hi,
There is some good news. Over 80 percent of the time Bells Palsy goes away
within weeks and at the most months There are very few instances where is
stays or have lasting results. My daughter had it and it was completely
gone in about 3 and a half weeks. Good luck to you!
Kim
— kimmack
September 3, 2003
Hi! I know that it is scary. I got it about 2 days after I gave birth to
my twins about 1.5 years ago. Make sure that you get on prednisone (sp?)
asap. I noticed a difference hours after I started on the meds. It took a
couple of months to get about 90% back, and about 6 more months to get back
to 100%. I went to a ears, nose, throat specialist and had my hearing
checked (I guess it can hurt your hearing...). I wouldn't worry too much
about having your surgery. Just make sure that you get on those steriods
fast! Good luck!
— Sheryl W.
September 9, 2003
My husband was diagnosed with bell's palsy a few months ago. His mother had
an attack 22 years ago. Neither one of them have ever had any other
symptoms of it. My husband was put on predisone for a couple of weeks and
did facial exercises and it disappered. His dr told us that the chances of
it happening again were very slim and that most people never have any other
sign of it again. I would not worry too much about it.
— harleigh2002
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