Another illness has caught up with me.

[Nicky-Richards]

Morning all,I was at the hospital yesterday, been diagnosed with Bell's Palsy,on high dosage steroid and Aciclovar medication. Paracetamol and Ibuprofen It's affected my right side and I also have chronic earache.Off sick for another week.Dr thinks it's due to an ongoing viral infection and stress.The earache is on the left,had to wear an eye patch too. I'm hoping I'll be better for our holiday on the 21st I have trouble speaking and my upper Lips are numb.I find it hard to focus with my right eye..

[JMN2017]

Hi Nicky-Richards

Oh, I can sympathise, and empathise, with you. I had a Bell's palsy several years ago too. Fortunately, mine cleared up totally but it took several months, sorry to say.

Hopefully, as you've been prescribed the appropriate medication, you have a chance of it getting better. Mine was thought to be due to a virus, causing the nerve to swell within a particular cannal as it leaves the brain. Once the swelling (which you'll not be able to detect) settles, healing can start but it does take some time.

Presumably, you have some 'artificial tears' or something for your affected eye? I had to stop wearing contact lenses because of this and had treatment (drops) for a small corneal abrasion caused by wearing contacts when my affected eye didn't blink effectively

So, maybe your optician could help with a (new) prescription for your 'good' eye so you can continue daily life a bit better?

Yes, speaking can be a bit iof a problem. Fortunately, it didn't stop me talking, although many wished it had It didn't stop me eating either, unfortunately!!! I found I tended to dribble when biting my nails - so I stopped!!! That must have been about 4 or 5yrs back and I still don't bite my nails! So, at least, a silver lining for me. I can only wish you to have full recovery plus something in the way of a silver lining too

[Nicky-Richards in reply to JMN2017]

Thank you,I've not got the artificial tears yet, my eye is constantly watering,I seem to be able to close it a little.I'm only signed off sick til Friday,I'm a support worker with adults with complex needs.I'm on holiday from the 21st,U will probably see my GP and get signed off til then.Am I being selfish I was recommended an eye patch too.If only to rest my eye

[JMN2017 in reply to Nicky-Richards]

Hi

Only you can decide whether to ask GP to keep you signed off till your holiday. I have great respect for anyone who works with people, kids or adults, with special/complex needs. I couldn't do it. I was a nurse, specialising in Orthopaedics and loved it. Everyone is so very different

Finding it difficult to speak may be a good reason to stay off sick, particularly working in your environment. Maybe would make your job very difficult and an issue for your 'clients'?

Otherwise, unless you have a valid reason for not being able to work ... I'm afraid you may have to learn to come to terms with the Bell's Palsy for the time being and find ways of accommodating your speech issue

[Nicky-Richards in reply to JMN2017]

It would be hard to communicate with them,when I lost my voice that was harder.My husband's not happy about taking sick leave and he's not very compassionate and understanding..

[JMN2017 in reply to Nicky-Richards]

It seems to me that's typical of men!!! Having said that, I'm no expert

[Nicky-Richards in reply to JMN2017]

Thank you for that, I will go to my GP soon

[Nicky-Richards]

Morning all, just an update,it's been 6 days now.Taking regular meds.Been signed off another week then I'm on Holiday Apparently if you're low in b12 this is a factor for BP,Mine is viral I've joined a couple of forums so I can talk to other sufferers.My ears are hyper sensitive and my jaw/ears ache. Right side dropped and eye hurts.I know it's going to be a slow recovery.

[Hidden in reply to Nicky-Richards]

You have my sympathies, I came down with it on Jan 1st and spent a wonderful 3 hours in A&E (because they thought I might have had a stroke) only it was Bell's. I spent 2 months with an eye that wouldn't blink, so I kept it covered during the day with an eyepatch because it was very irritated. I found Hylo-gel eyedrops a Godsend, they are thicker than regular eyedrops but not really thick like some. Also they last far longer dosage-wise. I didn't get on very well with steroids and quit them after a week. I did have low B12 and am hypothyroid so figure that has something to do with it. Half my face felt like I'd been to the dentist and the anaesthetic was half wearing off.

It takes time to recover, you need plenty of rest. Sensation will come back over time. After 8 months, I am still not fully recovered although you have to look hard to notice. I have some puffiness of that side of my face (that didn't start till May!), hoping it'll go over time. Still got some remaining numbness in part of my lips, but I notice it less as time goes by. I also stopped reading forums devoted to Bell's as I found it depressing. Either people recovered far quicker than I did, or they hadn't recovered after years, neither of which was encouraging for me! So don't worry too much comparing yourself to others' progress, just try to maintain a positive attitude that you WILL recover.

[Nicky-Richards in reply to Hidden]

Thank you,I will,I I know I'll get through it and the rest of us,I'm glad you're feeling better. I know there's hope but slow and steady.