6 months and counting...

[lambl]

Hi everyone, I'm new to these sorts of forums but thought I'd see if anyone has tips/advice on making a successful recovery? I've had Bells Palsy in the left side of my face for 6 months now, it started 3 weeks before I gave birth to my first child. Whilst it has improved since the onset further improvements seem to have now stopped. I initially took a course of prednisolone, have eye drops and tape my eye shut at night as it still won't close. It has hugely dented my self-confidence and I haven't had half as many pictures with my new baby as I'd have liked. I've been back to my doctors a few times but it feels as though they are completely unsympathetic and each time simply give me more print outs of information I'm already aware of online and tell me to research it. So I guess I'm really looking for advice or if anyone knows of any clinics etc specialising in this in the Kent area. Has anyone tried acupuncture and if so did it work? Any assistance is hugely appreciated.

[FPUK]

Hello, would you like to be put in touch with our 'Bell's palsy in pregnancy mums' network'? If so please contact us on [e-mail] and we can do this.

[Foleyat in reply to FPUK]

Hi my story is exactly the same as lambl, could you also put me in touch with the pregnancy group? Just saw a team of consultants today and I’m quite pessimistic about my recovery so if anyone had any suggestions or recommendations of acupuncture, it would be hugely helpful.

[Chantev]

Hi

Am so sorry to hear about you experience with facial palsy. I have been there and also felt very isolated with the dismissive attitude of the doctors. The facial Palsy UK have been a great source of information.

I did have acupuncture but in my case I did not feel it helped or the acupuncturist was not too experienced. Make sure you find a reputable one who has treated people with facial palsy before, they are all too ready to tell you that they can cure you. Ask for testimony from people they have treated.

Hope this will help, all the best.

Chantev

[lambl in reply to Chantev]

Thank you. Did you recover?

[Chantev in reply to lambl]

I have not made a complete recovery, my face is still assemetric have about 65% recovered....one eye is still smaller than the other. Tend to close my eye when I eat, hence feel very conscious when eating out. Still feel like Quasimodo though...still can't smile properly, am hoping to go to get some more specialised help from the newly research centre in John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford. They have a reputation to be more supportive than usual GPs. Wish me luck.

[lambl in reply to Chantev]

How long have you had it? I can completely relate, it has such a psychological affect as well as the physical wishing you all the luck in the world xx

[Lolitabendita in reply to lambl]

I agree. It is torture.

[Lolitabendita in reply to Chantev]

omy jesus. I thought I was the only one. I had people be mean to me and tell me I am pretty when they saw me too bad about my fa ce. I was like what?

[Hidden]

Hi

I would definitely recommend you having acupuncture It's not a cure but it does last a few months I've had two courses a year apart and after the second course I was given warmup exercises and stretches for the cheek that I do every day This has helped keep the muscles loose and I haven't needed the accupucture this year I have it done by an Advanced Physiotherapist at my local hospital

GP's have no idea how to help after the initial diagnosis They can prescribe the steroids eye creams and gels tape etc but that's all

You will have to do the homework and then ask the GP. to refer you

All the best for your recovery It can be a long slow process but there are different treatments available They work for some and not for others but you won't know till you try

Best wishes kjg30

[lambl in reply to Hidden]

Thank you.

[sezzi123]

Hi. I recommend you contact facial palsy uk charity. I had Bell's palsy at 38 weeks pregnant 18 years ago. The charity has been the most helpful and supportive

[lambl in reply to sezzi123]

I've now made contact with them thank you.

[hje23]

I've had it for 15 years. Very little was known then. Had a re occurrence in 2013. This time my gp referred me to an ears, nose and throats consultant, who got me an mri to check what damage was done. He then got me referred to the facial palsy unit at the queen victoria in East Grinstead. I have been having physio since September and have recently had an eye op to sort my watering eye. They are brilliant there. Depending where you are in Kent it may not be too far. They have people come from all over the world. They assess what support and treatment you need, including counselling and go from there. Physio was the option for me it's going to take a long time, but my face has improved so much. Might be worth asking your go for a referral. Suggestion for your eyes, get a wheat eye pad that you heat in the microwave. Need one with flax in. It's brilliant for the dry eye but I find it helps my face to relax as well.

[lambl in reply to hje23]

Thank you very much, definitely worth looking into this and thanks for the suggestion re eye pad!

[hje23 in reply to lambl]

Hope all goes well. For the eye pad, look at wheatybags.co.uk. its the more expensive one of the two they do you need. Cheapest site I could find and you can get a deal on a second, so you have a spare. I have mine covered in pink fleece, lovely and soft. Got the two for under £20. Be patient, recovery will take time.

[lambl in reply to hje23]

Thank you so much for your help, greatly appreciates you taking the time out - I've ordered one so hopefully it'll help x

[Lolitabendita]

ah man. Same thing for me. My ear hurts and the sound seems like a new spider sense. Im totally. Unhappy and depressed. I gained some weight. I have thrush as well. Im tired of feeling like invalid.

[Chantev in reply to Lolitabendita]

Hi lolitabendita

May I make some positive suggestions, first you peel off this label that you have stuck on yourself. You are NOT an invalid, you have just been unlucky enough to have been struck by Bell's palsy... It is not the end of the world time is a great healer and you will feel better. Get yourself a pair of good gym shoes, an eye catching gym gear and hit the gym....Put on your make up, a lipstick on your lopsided lips (I made mine bright red, lift my head high and smile my crooked smile to whoever who chose to stare...) I do yoga, Pilates and it helps me to forget my current state and at the same time makes me feel lean and toned. I have treated myself ton. Fantastic hair cut and invested in some really good pieces of clothing, and hey I divert people's looks towards my nice clothes and hair cut...I have been doing that for the past eight years and I have built up confidence to be able to tell people why my face is not like everybody else...it has not been easy, I have lost my job, am now retired but do voluntary work for those who are not as lucky as me...

My hero is Stephen Hawking, now he is an invalid, but a wonderful role model...

Hope you don't think me harsh, but self pity is more destructive than anything else.

All the best

Chantev

[lambl in reply to Lolitabendita]

Hi Lolitabendita, I'm sorry you feel this way, I can completely understand how it makes you feel however try not to let it consume you - as difficult as that can be. Are you getting help from your GP? x

[BellsP]

Hi, I've had Bells Palsy for nearly 2years now, I was initially told by my local hospital in Kent don't worry you will be better in a few weeks, sadly I wasn't & felt really isolated & suffered a great deal of anxiety as I couldn't see much improvement. Out of desperation I googled who specialises in Bell's palsy and found the the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead had a specialist facial palsy clinic. I emailed them and was advised to get my GP to refer me as they were sure they could help me. It took 3 months to get my appt but what a relief when I did go, to actually see a consultant that knew exactly what I was going through. I'm getting the right treatment now & am making improvement but it is slow. I know sadly that I won't make a full recovery but I'm unlucky as 7 out 10 people do recover so don't give up hope!

[teddyamanze]

Just relax.Sleep and have your meals.First the facial muscles will start relaxing ,followed by the re-veining or re-nerving.It is a slow process. Nerves grow between 1-1.2mm per day.Between your ears and say to your lower lips is a good 150mm.You will require a good 4 months to see real improvement.Do not force it otherwise the veins will rewire in a wrong way creating more post BP issues.Trust me you will be fine.Do not exclude yourself this is the whole point of this enemy.Go about your business people will see your face looking wonky and they will see your face looking better and better after a while.