4 years later with Bell's Palsy

[GodlessAstronomer]

Seems like just last week I woke up and found half of my face paralyzed. The docs all said it was Bell's Palsy and would clear up in a matter of weeks. 4 years on the right side of my face still has very little movement. Not really anything interesting to say in this thread, just celebrating 4 years with a screwed up face

 

[guyver01]

celebrating 4 years with a screwed up face

wow really? didnt know that.

JR? is that you?

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

JR? is that you?

Same disease, different guy

 

[guyver01]

waitaminute...

why is that post by a member named iamaelephant ... do you have two accounts???

BAN!

 

[Eli]

Wow I remember that thread. Didn't know you changed your name.. lol

That really sucks that it hasn't gone away though. No improvement at all?

What do doctors say?

 

[IronWing]

Hey, you'll never have to blow money on botox!

 

[Ika]

Huh, that thread was created on the day I joined. I'm pretty sure I remember reading it, too. Maybe not... idk

 

[Matthiasa]

This is gonna end well.
But yeah sucks.

 

[Ika]

also, pics?

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Wow I remember that thread. Didn't know you changed your name.. lol

That really sucks that it hasn't gone away though. No improvement at all?

What do doctors say?

Last doc I saw told me that considering the length of time and the amount of healing so far it's likely to be permanent :\ There isn't a whole lot of research going into BP treatment because it's rare and not life threatening.

 

[Ronstang]

I guess free health care is just a little slow in delivering results?

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[guyver01]

also, pics?

how about an artists' rendition?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bells_palsy_diagram.svg

 

[guyver01]

There isn't a whole lot of research going into BP treatment because it's rare and not life threatening.

There are alot of famous people who have Bells Palsy:

Pierce Brosnan
Katie Holmes
George Clooney
Terrence Howard
Joe Mantegna
Ralph Nader
Jim Ross

 

[biggestmuff]

Troll wants sympathy?

Sorry that's still with you. It must be annoying. At least it's not constant pain. What's the doctor say now?

A few jobs ago, I had two colleagues that were afflicted with Bell's Palsy at the same time. It was really weird.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

I guess free health care is just a little slow in delivering results?

Uhhh, there is no cure

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

also, pics?

CBF taking pics right now but these are from about a year and a half ago, no smile, half smile and full smile.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Troll wants sympathy?

No, I don't want sympathy. It's been 4 years, I've come to peace with this stuff. Just wanted to share, 4 years is a big milestone.

 

[Matthiasa]

Might I suggest not smiling.

 

[Ika]

Doesn't seem too bad. A perceptive person might think it's weird, but it definitely doesn't LOOK horrible or anything. Worst case scenario it's a conversation topic, unless it affects your daily life or something.

 

[Eli]

Ah, yeah, I remember those pics.

It must be weird, but honestly it doesn't look that bad. Most people would just consider it the way you smile, and not think much of it I'm sure.

 

[guyver01]

CBF taking pics right now but these are from about a year and a half ago, no smile, half smile and full smile.

cut your hair hippy.

or wash it..

looks like the Exxon Valdeze took a spill in your hair.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

cut your hair hippy.

or wash it..

looks like the Exxon Valdeze took a spill in your hair.

Heh yeah my hair was a bit out of control at that stage, I was really poor that year and didn't want to pay for hair cuts. It's much neater right now.

 

[cheezy321]

Is the only side effect a half numb face? No other ailments associated with it?

I dont agree with you 95% of the time, but I am sorry to hear that OP.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Is the only side effect a half numb face? No other ailments associated with it?

I dont agree with you 95% of the time, but I am sorry to hear that OP.

In the long term it's just the paralysis. Starting about a week after it happened I had a ~10 day outbreak of shingles which occurred inside my mouth, causing open sores inside my mouth and half way down my throat which was extraordinarily painful, but this isn't typical of BP. It was caused by the same infection which damaged the cranial nerve (herpes zoster, essentially the chickenpox virus making a resurgence).

 

[BoomerD]

Ah...so THAT finally explains your fucked up smile -->