Got Bell's Palsy 4 days back, what can i do now besides medications and facial exercises...

[drpankajmittalAIIMS]

Hiii... I am Dr. Pankaj 31 year old doctor from India, last Saturday morning i was feeling twitching around my eyes and mouth later on around 1 PM same day my wife observed some deviation on my face as soon as we contacted our neurologist and he diagnosed me as left sided Bells palsy, started on steroid and antiviral drugs with in 4-5 hr of onset, i am neither diabetic nor hypertensive, i don't have any history of viral infection in recent past, no ear ache..... but next day even after medications it progressed to higher grade, now its totally unable to move my left side of face, i have started facial exercises since next day (3 times a day for 40-45 minutes) for all facial muscles (Should i continue these exercises or not I am confused??), since yesterday I am also having lots of twitching post Bell"s palsy on my affected side of face (good or bad sign??)

please advice me besides these what can i do for my current state to get faster recovery and please address my current worries

thanks with regards

[FPUK]

Dear Dr Pankaj, we have information on our website about exercises, it is not a good idea to do these so early, please see this link: facialpalsy.org.uk/advice/f...

It is normal for the face to take several weeks to recover and the best thing you can do at the moment is rest, if you want to do anything then just do gentle facial massage. If you had a broken leg you would not try to force it's recovery by walking on it, it is the same with your facial nerve, you should allow time to heal.

Getting steroids early is very positive as this treatment is proven in evidence to increase chances of a full recovery. Also please ensure you look after your eye, using drops and taping it closed at night.

[drpankajmittalAIIMS in reply to FPUK]

thanks a lot but if i have already started on exercises since 3-4 days.... so what can i do now?

i have caused much harm to my face if i started very early???

i am regularly caring for my eyes by continuously using lubricants and eye taping in night time

please suggest me admin

thanks with regards

Dr. Pankaj

[FPUK in reply to drpankajmittalAIIMS]

Just make sure you don't continue with the exercises now and if there is no improvement after two months then seek further advice from a facial therapist. Try to remain positive, you have had the steroids promptly. Concentrate on getting plenty of rest and keeping as stress free as possible while you recover.

[bullmangani]

Dear Dr. Pankaj,

I am Dr. Jung, and I practice at Acucare Chiropractic in Elgin, Illinois. I think what your doing is fine, and the medication your taking is usually what is prescribed by most M.D's. At our clinic we also see people with Bell's Palsy and find that acupuncture and traditional chinese medicine are also extremely beneficial in speeding up the healing process of the condition. Find some one in your area who does acupuncture as it will increase the circulation to the facial nerve, bringing more nutrients for healing into the area of the face. Life Rising carries some good chinese medicine that helps with the condition also. Beneficial formulas include C, SZTF, BYHW, B and Y. These formulas have herbs which resolve and clear blood stagnation, and improve the function of the colaterals and acupuncture channels to the face. If you use these techniques you should heal twice as fast! Just remember it could take anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months to resolve!

Good Luck and good health!

Dr MJ

[drpankajmittalAIIMS]

Its one month now after left facial palsy, only slight movement above my left eye were note one week back, only slight tone increased, eye closing only after forceful closure, some nasal movement is also there...

dear friend i ma still very much confused as i ma only following gentle facial massages and exercises but many people told me to go for electrical stimulation now, for speedier recovery. please suggest me what to do its a great confusion as i should start electric stimulation or not??

Is my recovery going in a correct path??

please suggest me....

thanks with regards