I have a question about Bells Palsy!

I was wondering if any of the admins on this site can pose this question to Dr. Graham Hughes. I've been chatting with a few other APS sufferers about my third bout with Bells Palsy in 20 years. It seems to hit me every 7 years or so. It appears that I'm not the only one that has experienced multiple bouts with this condition. I happen to have a theory that Bells Palsy is caused by micro clotting In the blood vessels that connect to the facial nerve. I don't know if this is anything for Dr. Hughes to look into, but I thought I'd throw it out there. Any how, are there any fellow APS sufferers on this forum that have had Bells Palsy? If so, would you please share your stories with me? Any advice on this topic would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Mom3mmc]

I had Bell's palsy about 7-8 years ago, before I was diagnosed with APS. I went for acupuncture and it was relieved pretty quickly. I have some slight residual minor damage from it which I only notice when I sneeze or blow my nose.

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi, here is some relevant reading for you: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/224... and also a mention on here: medlink.com/medlinkcontent.asp

MaryF

[Hidden in reply to MaryF]

I'm glad the acupuncture worked for you. All I did was take a low dose of Prednisone and Acyclovir which is an anti-viral. I have had this condition three times and I had expedient, and near full recoveries the last two times, but this last episode has left me with a 30 percent loss of muscle tone, and chronic spasms in my neck. I still have trouble making a kiss, swooshing mouthwash in my mouth, and my smile is a little bit crooked. Also, when I blink my right eye, the right corner of my mouth - smiles and twitches. I never had this before. I guess when you get older you don't heal as well as you do when you're younger. I'm so grateful that I can cover up the minor facial disfigurement with a beard. Any how, I hope they can find a way to cure the damage that this condition does to a lot of people. Thanks you for the information Mom and Marry!

[Gerardina]

I had Bells Palsy feb this year. I went to the stroke unit because I thought I had a stroke! The neurologist asked for APS blood tests which confirmed the disorder in July. Luckily I made a full recovery, but I am scared I may get it again. Hopefully warfarin will prevent this. I think there is something in your theory.

Regards Gerardina

[Hidden]

Thank you for the response Gerardina. I think in time they're going to find a solid link between Bells Palsy and APS/Hughes Syndrome. I wish I would have been diagnosed when I was a teenager. It might have prevented my leg from clotting up. Are there anymore of you guys out there who have had bouts of Bells Palsy? Please share your story with the rest of us.