Believe and throw the kitchen sink at it. You will get back to 100%!

2-5-07

A wise man said, "Getting Old isnt for Sissies."  

My eye has been watering like a madman lately.  Stress is usually the cause if it since there is no shortage of stress in any of our lives.

Happy New Year, it's Feb?

Jason

9-19-05

I have been doing better I though with my face loosing up a bit and losing weight helped a ton so I am rating my selft at 35% or better at this point. drinking all together, dropped 25 lbs and have been working out like mad. I need to kick it up a notch to get through this - you do too!

Get Well and Believe

Jason

6-22-05

Well my face has had drastic improvement over the past few weeks. I have stopped drinking all together, dropped 25 lbs and have been working out like mad. My stress level has been at an all time high lately. I'd say I am about 25% back. No movement in my eyebrows yet but my cheek and mouth are working a bit better. Next

10/2001

I came down with Bells Palsy for the second time on October 6th and it has been 3 months with little change. I have been seeing a chiropractor since the beginning for electro-stimulation of the facial nerves to help with atrophy.

First, I went to the emergency room and was prescribed steroids for one week and basically told it is a waiting game. There is nothing else they could do for this affliction.

I've got the typical symptoms: eye droop, mouth droop, eye waters like crazy, unable to blink, hearing is very sensitive, lack of taste and I can only drink via a straw.

I experienced Bells Palsy about 8 years earlier and it lasted for about a month or so if I remember right. I'm guessing since this is my second occurrence it could only be worse.

I've visited many other Bells related websites and they all say the same thing. I've seen many websites put up by people who have been affliction by Bells most with pretty bad experiences. I'm going on three months and trying everything to keep my body in top shape, vitamins, therapy, apple cider vinegar tablets, herbs, special diet and hitting the gym for at least an hour a day.

My chiropractor says," give your body the best chance to recover by doing what it takes." I working towards beating bells I hope you are too!

Thanks

Jason

Update: 3/11/02 We'll I've gotten a bit better since the last entry. I'm about 65%. My eyebrows are moving and I can smile a bit. I've been going to the dentist for a couple days now and boy is it hard keeping the ole mouth open. One root canal down and tons more work to go. I'm still seeing the chrio once a week for an adjustment and estim which I think helps more mentally than physically. I hope everyone is doing better.

*I had major Novocain in my Bells Palsy side and aggravated my Bells, I've lost about 15% movement and my face is throbbing again. Beware of heavy dental work during your recovery. My experience was not good.

Update: 4/27/02 I haven't seen any improvements since starting to take the Methyl-Cobalamin (B12) so I am starting again.

Someone also told me the oxygen treatment tanks seem to work pretty well for people trying to recover from strokes and injuries.

I'm willing to try anything. The bells has settled in my mouth area. It is unnoticeable until I try to speak loudly or enunciate my words. I hope everyone else is doing better.

Jason

Update: 6/27/02The palsy has seemed to settle in my lower mouth. There is no drooping but it doesn't work either.

I have been taking my B12 and it feels better generally. I am working on seeing an acupuncturist sometime next week if our insurance will cover it.

I hope everyone is recovering at the fastest pace their bodies allow. Cheers.

Jason

Acupuncture started on 7-1-02.

7-15-02 After Fourth Acupuncture Treatment
It is really difficult to gauge whether the treatments are helping. My face near my mouth continue to be non-responsive. After the treatment, it feels a bit more alive. Since I started the treatment somewhat late in my affiliation it may take longer to awaken the nerves and get them moving.

10-18-02 Getting there...
I've had to cut back on the acupuncture treatments because of my unfruitful search for work. My face is feeling a bit better but is still a bit sluggish. I've been working on my speech and if I remember to control my lips you can't tell my mouth is off unless I really try in annunciate a word. Take Care All!

5-1-03 Static Recovery
Well, my eye still waters a bit and some letters don't come out right but life is going well. I'm still looking for a full-time job so if you know anyone hiring ex-dot-commers let me know.

7-9-03 No changes
I've had no significant improvements. My problem area is still my mouth and eye watering. Nothing else to report - I hope everyone is getting better!

Get Well and Believe

Jason

7-14-03 No Changes
I've been receiving a ton of emails lately with new cases of Bells. When you see my pictures realize this is my second time will Bells so my recovering to 85% has no bearing on your recovery.

4-4-04 No Changes
Had a cold and ear ache and thought I was getting Bells again. My eye waters a ton when under stress. I am still taking B12 a ton of vitamins but no acupuncture.

4-20-04 - Got the flu and earache but no Bells. I'm back to 100% looking for a job. Thanks for all of your emails.

12-22-04
Well not much change in the ole face. I do have to tell you that stress is a major factor on how my face reacts day to day.

Massage, deep breathing and exercise are great ways or reducing stress.

News Break - 2-27-05

Slammed again on Feb 26th 2005. I have been under tremendous stress. This time I can almost close my eye and drink via a straw with no hands. Believe that is the good news. I am still taping my eye shut at night. I found these eye band aids at Walmart that work great with a little padding underneath. Eye Care is a top priority.

Its been about 3 months and I have about 5% improvement on good days. My eyewaters like crazy and I am still taping my eye closed. No changes yet. I have taken my meds, shot to the face but I have not had estim, chiro or acupunture because I do not have insurance. I am still taking vitamins and drinking green tea. My stress level is higher today than when I had my attack so that is not helping.

waters like crazy and I am still taping my eye closed. No changes yet. I have taken my meds, shot to the face but I have not had estim, chiro or acupunture because I do not have insurance. I am still taking vitamins and drinking green tea. My stress level is higher today than when I had my attack so that is not helping.

4-4-05

Recovery is very slow.  I did read somewhere that wisdom teeth can cause major issues when it comes to Bells.  When I was 16 I was supposed to have all four out but the oral surgeon only took the bottom two.  The top are now giving me trouble so it might be time and there might be a connection.  The dentist said no way but he told  me the novicane would not slow my recovery and it set me back months.

Stay tuned

Jason

7-4-06

4th of July Update
I hope everyone is recovering as fast as possible so they do not have any lingering Bells Effects.

Get Well and Believe

Jason

Here are some general notes about Bells Palsy:

What is Bell's Palsy?
Bell's palsy is a form of facial paralysis resulting from damage to the 7th (facial) cranial nerve. This nerve disorder afflicts approximately 40,000 Americans each year. It can strike almost anyone at any age; however, it disproportionately attacks pregnant women and people who have diabetes, influenza, a cold, or some other upper respiratory ailment. In addition to one-sided facial paralysis with possible inability to close the eye, symptoms of Bell's palsy may include pain, tearing, drooling, hypersensitivity to sound in the affected ear, and impairment of taste. Researchers in Japan identified the common cold sore virus, herpes simplex, as the likely cause of most cases of Bell's palsy.

Is there any treatment?
Recent studies (Neurology 2001 Apr 10;56(7):830-836) have shown that steroids are probably effective and that the drug acyclovir (combined with prednisone) is possibly effective in improving facial function. Other treatments are usually aimed at protecting the eye from drying at nighttime. Some physicians may prescribe a corticosteroid drug to help reduce inflammation and an analgesic to relieve pain.

What is the prognosis?
The prognosis for Bell's palsy is generally very good. With or without treatment, most patients begin to get significantly better within 2 weeks, and about 80 percent recover completely within 3 months. For some, however, the symptoms may last longer. In a few cases, the symptoms may never completely disappear.

*DISCLAIMER The intent of this website is to provide a general background about Bell's palsy, and to help define areas the reader may choose to further investigate. It is based on extensive research, but the timeliness and accuracy of information obtained cannot be guaranteed. The site is not an attempt to practice medicine. It can not used as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment, nor should this information override any decisions made with a qualified health care provider. All readers are strongly advised to consult with a qualified health care professional You assume full responsibility for use of the information at this site, and agree that the authors and contributors to the Bell's Palsy Information Site, its associated information, pages and links hold no liability to you for claims, damages, costs and expenses, legal fees, or any other costs incurred due to or in any way related to your reliance on anything derived from this web site or its contents.