Bell's Palsy is a paralysis of the facial nerve, causing muscular weakness in one side of the face. Note : If you experience symptoms, get medical attention immediately for a better chance of recovery.
Pre-Day 1 - Intense ear pain, thought it was an ear infection, disappeared in about 6 hours.
Day 1 - Noticed a "metallic" taste white eating dinner, quickly realized I had poor movement of one side of the face and the right eye did not blink the whole way.
Day 2 - Woke up early and went to the hospital, diagnosed with Bell's Palsy and given eye drops, a weeks worth of Corticosteroids and aintiviral medication. (Very Important as it decreases recovery time and possible permanent damage)
Day 3 to Day 6 - Further deterioration of facial muscle, severe irritation of the eye, maintained eye taped shut for 10 hours a day for about 45 days. Went out on my own and got some Vitamin B-12 sublingual and Vitamin B Complex.
Day 7 to Day 15 - No apparent change whether positive or negative.
Day 16 to Day 24 - Small an incremental improvement in movement.
Day 25 to Day 31 - Moderate movement of affected area, would estimate recovery at 30%, eye now closes a bit further than half way but still extremely irritable and itchy. I can finally make an air bubble with my mouth (not possible previously).
Day 32 to Day 45 - Gradual improvement, recovery at about 50%. I finally was able to eat properly without biting the my lips.
Day 46 to Day 50 - Rapid improvement, recovery at 65%, stopped taping right eye closed shut, still irritable but manageable.
Day 51 to Day 65 - Gradual improvement, recovery at 75%, eye completely blinks but still itchy. Can smile fully though crooked, I got my whistling ability back!
Update as of upload of this video , 115 days - Recovery at 100%, though right facial muscles feel slightly weaker than the unaffected area (could be permanent). Facial movement and appearance is at 95% of original meaning that it's probably never going to be as good as before the Bell's Palsy. The eye has stopped itching, however it remained irritable until about a month after I was able to blink properly (probably the time it took to heal). I have regained a full smile and most of all my self esteem back. I have recovered to a point where it is impossible to tell that there was anything wrong to begin with which is what I wanted.
I made this video to help and hopefully inspire anyone suffering from this condition and let them know that hope is not lost and to be patient. It is normal while going through it to think that maybe you are going to end up facially deformed forever but in the vast majority of instances that is not the case. Be patient, take your prescribed medicine, take some B-Vitamins, don't go overboard with the facial exercises, rest, get plenty of sleep.
Pre-Day 1 - Intense ear pain, thought it was an ear infection, disappeared in about 6 hours.
Day 1 - Noticed a "metallic" taste white eating dinner, quickly realized I had poor movement of one side of the face and the right eye did not blink the whole way.
Day 2 - Woke up early and went to the hospital, diagnosed with Bell's Palsy and given eye drops, a weeks worth of Corticosteroids and aintiviral medication. (Very Important as it decreases recovery time and possible permanent damage)
Day 3 to Day 6 - Further deterioration of facial muscle, severe irritation of the eye, maintained eye taped shut for 10 hours a day for about 45 days. Went out on my own and got some Vitamin B-12 sublingual and Vitamin B Complex.
Day 7 to Day 15 - No apparent change whether positive or negative.
Day 16 to Day 24 - Small an incremental improvement in movement.
Day 25 to Day 31 - Moderate movement of affected area, would estimate recovery at 30%, eye now closes a bit further than half way but still extremely irritable and itchy. I can finally make an air bubble with my mouth (not possible previously).
Day 32 to Day 45 - Gradual improvement, recovery at about 50%. I finally was able to eat properly without biting the my lips.
Day 46 to Day 50 - Rapid improvement, recovery at 65%, stopped taping right eye closed shut, still irritable but manageable.
Day 51 to Day 65 - Gradual improvement, recovery at 75%, eye completely blinks but still itchy. Can smile fully though crooked, I got my whistling ability back!
Update as of upload of this video , 115 days - Recovery at 100%, though right facial muscles feel slightly weaker than the unaffected area (could be permanent). Facial movement and appearance is at 95% of original meaning that it's probably never going to be as good as before the Bell's Palsy. The eye has stopped itching, however it remained irritable until about a month after I was able to blink properly (probably the time it took to heal). I have regained a full smile and most of all my self esteem back. I have recovered to a point where it is impossible to tell that there was anything wrong to begin with which is what I wanted.
I made this video to help and hopefully inspire anyone suffering from this condition and let them know that hope is not lost and to be patient. It is normal while going through it to think that maybe you are going to end up facially deformed forever but in the vast majority of instances that is not the case. Be patient, take your prescribed medicine, take some B-Vitamins, don't go overboard with the facial exercises, rest, get plenty of sleep.
- Category
- Medical
- Tags
- Bell's Palsy, Facial Paralysis
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