How Physio..Botox..And loads of determinat... - Facial Palsy UK

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How Physio..Botox..And loads of determination is slowly bringing my face back as before!..

Julieeeeee profile image
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I suffers with GBS 4 years ago, which in turn left me with Bells on the left side of my face.. I unfortunately turned out to be a long term healer with the damage to my face .. But with lots of good healthy nerve repair food and vitamins .. Massage , exercise and a little helping hand from Botox .4 years on I'm not so far from getting my face back! ..I still feel I have healing taking place .. I was told early on that it could take many many years for the nerves to repair themself.. I think they need a gentle helping hand to get working as they once did .. After all, tight muscles can't work in the way they should .i find the stretching exercises to be really good ! .. And recently the last couple of months I've been practising some strengthening exersicises on the affected side .. As I feel the non affected side had gained so much more strength so felt the affected side needs a little help in catching up ! .. Really noticing the difference .. Hope this will help some of you out there as it has me :) X

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Julieeeeee profile image
Julieeeeee
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Hamjack profile image
Hamjack

Hi Julieeeeee,

Great to hear you are healing.

Can you tell me a bit more about the nerve repair foods and vitamins as really interested to look at what works and intrdouce them to my diet. I am taking B12 complex but this is more for fatigue.

How did you get on with Botox and what did you have done? My consultant has asked me if I want to look at Botox injections but I am not sure if this will help or hinder progress. I am 7 months into RHS and have had some good recovery so dont want to risk any setbacks but at the same time want to do everything to aide recovery. I do have some mild synkinesis so again want to do everything I can to minimise this.

Any feedback would be great.

Wishing you a full recovery

A

Julieeeeee profile image
Julieeeeee in reply to Hamjack

Hello 😊 B12.. B6 .. Zinc and magnesium.. The latter being really good as it helps to relax my muscles .. Epsom salt baths are a good way to absorb the mineral too! 😊 Botox is a god way to relax any over tight areas that won't move properly .. That's half our battle .. We can't move our faces as we once did if restricted by over tight mucsels ..I have a tiny amount on the eyebrow .. One on the forehead .. But in all fairness I'm needing it less and less with each appointment.. It's not a cure, but aids it along the way ! .. I've received a couple of injections in the chin., but to be honest I'm stretching those dimples out with exercise.. .. The tightness is part and parcel of the healing so I've been told .. But without a little help through massage .. Stretching etc etc .. It can get like , in lock mode position , I call it anyway 😀 I was always told if I didn't do something about it, that it would very probably stay the same .. To some degree, I think it's true .. Well I have been doing something towards it and it's paying off 😀 I hope this helps ., anything else .. Just ask ! X

Julieeeeee profile image
Julieeeeee in reply to Julieeeeee

Ps, I forgot to add .. I've been introducing the one sided exercises .. Where I press firm on the good side and exercise the weaker .. That by, even blowing air out from the cheek .. Or over one side of my mouth making any sort of noises .. It has a lot of strength to catch on.. And I'm really noticing the difference !!! 😀

Chantev profile image
Chantev in reply to Julieeeeee

Hi Julieeeeeee

It's very interesting the vitamins repair route, I will try to include it in my diet. I too have decided to do something about my face and with sheer determination have found some very sympathetic people who understood the importance of our quality of life with BP. I have resumed my Botox injections and lo and behold it has drastically improved the symmetry of my face, it is not hundred % but it's a damn side better. You are right it is not the solution but it helps towards the self esteem. I have also discovered some sort of massage called face gym and I would like to think that it is helping towards regaining some flexibility in my facial muscle. Thank you for your positive posting it brings hope to a lot of us. Best wishes

Julieeeeee profile image
Julieeeeee in reply to Chantev

Aww.. Good luck with that .. I'm sure your dedication will pay off ! .. I forgot to add .. I eat an awful lot of spinache .. It's supposed to to be very good for nerve repair I was told.. Kale too! .. These little nerves can take absolutely years to repair the selfs.. But with the right knowledge and understanding of what our bodies are needing for that repair . Positive thinking also .. 😀 we can and are capable of healing ourselfs! .. X 😀

Julieeeeee profile image
Julieeeeee in reply to Chantev

Hi Chantev ..how are you getting on? Are you seeing some good results I hope? x

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