Please note that what follows is not a prescription—I am not a doctor—it is a report of what worked for me during my three-week engagement with Bell's palsy. After two weeks, I was nearly 90% healed, with a wee bit of muscle loss remaining on one side of my mouth. After three weeks, 100% fine.

History: I'm 54, an author/publisher/community volunteer and lay-healer. I've had insulin dependent diabetes for about seven years and chronic neck pain for a much longer time than that. For over twenty years I've experienced pain in the facial nerve on the left side of my face when I'm out in a cold wet wind. Before its onset the morning after Thanksgiving, I never had Bell's palsy. Two days before Thanksgiving, I noticed a cold sore in the corner of my mouth. I don't usually have cold sores. Without any treatment, the cold sore was gone in about an hour. On Thanksgiving day, I went for a twenty minute walk without a hat. That Maine day was cold and snowy and windy.

When the palsy began, my lip felt swollen, but didn't look that way. I couldn't purse my lips normally, but I didn't think much of it. My lip felt the way it does when I'm coming out of novacaine—not numb, but huge and uncontrollable. (Note: I'd had dental work a couple of months before this. I think the dentist injected novacaine (Lidocaine?) in that "hinge" between my left upper and lower wisdom teeth. If I'm remembering right, the novacaine didn't take and he gave me another injection.) Over the next three days the palsy began to come on. I didn't have a huge droop. However, I couldn't move/control the muscles on the left side of my face at all. I was unable to smile at all on the left side and I couldn't close my left eye all the way. Off and on, my glands and lymph nodes in my neck and face and under my jaw swelled painfully. And my facial nerves (the seventh cranial?) were inflamed as well.

Treatment:
The day I realized what was going on, I scoured the Internet for information. I was particularly interested in what folks who actually had had Bell's palsy were saying. From all the treatments that were mentioned, I intuitively selected what I would begin with, and then I evolved from there. I did not use allopathic drugs of any kind (eg. steroids, prednizone. Nor did I ever consider using them.) After speaking with people in my town, and consulting my own best wisdom, here's what I came up with. I've starred* what feels like it's done the most good.

1) acupuncture (plus laser light) —helpful, but painful. Less painful when points used were not on the head, ear or face.

2) chiropractic—Our chiropractor's highly skilled, and he was gentle, yet the adjustments he made early on (the third day) resulted in a lot of pain.

3) *Reiki—very helpful and soothing. The intention was to increase circulation, while at the same time, to calm the inflamed facial nerves.

4) **Vitamin B-12 shots I gave myself in the muscle of my thigh each day, 1cc. Now I'm tapering off. Make sure someone shows you how to do this so you don't hit a blood vessel. This was helpful, though I can't tell for sure how helpful, considering all else I did.

5) *facial massage—first gently and then more vigorously—this, several times a day. In addition I puckered and smiled and raised my eyebrows (even though I had to lift the left side of my face manually.

6) frequent applications of Young's Living Oils, in particular *Thieves and Pain Away. (Young's Living Oils is located in Payson, Utah. They're one of the best essential oil companies around) I also used *geranium and juniper from another fairly good company. Also, plenty of vitamins and "green" from Young's.

7) tinctures: antiviral and nerve soother, *St. Johnswort; to help with inflammation and mucous drainage (I still have waves of gland/lymph swelling on the left side), *Echinacea with Goldenseal; to calm the painful nerves and also to calm the rest of me, *skullcap.

8) *a teaspoon each of raw honey and organic apple cider vinegar mixed into a cup of water—this for general wellbeing and to reduce mucus. As with the B-12 shots, can't be sure, but I sensed this was very helpful.

9) I ate lightly to leave my body energy to heal the palsy.

10) Once in a while, I used warm ginger tea compresses to increase circulation, and I drank ginger tea.

11) I visualized my face back to normal and asked friends not to fret over me, but to send me healing energy. I also did this for myself.

12) As for my eye, when it wouldn't close, I used Duolube at night to protect my cornea and Bion teardrops at least every hour during the day. During walks in the Maine winter, I now wear ski goggles, also a fleece hood and plenty of scarves to cover my cheek, ear and neck.
I hope this was helpful. If you adopt this regimen or any variation thereof, and heal quickly, please let me know. How wonderful if, from all the treatments people adopt, we could find one we could share that works consistently. As always, I invite you to tell your own caregiving/caregetting story on our site. These times call to us to reach out to one another. Doing so, we comfort and inspire.

All blessings,            
maggie (Davis) 

featured bells palsy stories and remedies

From Mary on December 18, 2006... Found your site while trying to "save face" last month. A lot of great info and a comfort to read other's stories. An ESPECIALLY BIG THANKS to Annie O'Neill in New Zealand, as I followed her protocol and began to get movement that very evening! I was also taking St John's Wort, Melissa and Prickly Ash tinctures. Another big thanks to my remarkable massage therapist, who has been in practice for 26 years and is trained in 22 different modalities—-after all these years it's as though her hands have "eyes" and just see where they need to go. She has treated many people with Bell's and knows the traditional massage for it as well as having added her own elements. The first session was very gentle and just seeking to activate the deadened nerves, not much visual change, though some. However, I had very dramatic results after each hour session thereafter and would recommend massage to anyone who can find a very experienced therapist who is familiar with treating Bell's. I tried acupuncture 3 times but became terribly inflamed after each session. I love acupuncture, but not for this. I found it much too stimulating and it just seemed to aggravate the nerve (same could be true of massage in the wrong hands). After 4 weeks from onset, I was visually (to look at me) at 100%, but internally there was still some "sponginess" feeling of inflammation in my face and head, and another 10 days of sensitivity to sound. Eight weeks out, I still have to be very careful with the nerve (thanks in part to a can of bug spray on a high shelf that came down and hit me on the brow bone like a bullet to the head—-adding injury to insult!) Having to be careful in terms of me getting enough rest and not being in loud noise for too long——the nerve starts to tingle. Oh, prior to my onset, I had two very sleepless nights and awoke after the second night with my adenoids quite swollen—-like a sinus attack. That's when I noticed the difference in my tongue sensation, but it was another 3 days before I began slow paralysis, which took 8 days to complete. Day nine, I started the protocol I found here, and it was that night that I first had movement in my mouth! From there, I progressed quickly the first week—-to about 75%, but the last 25% took about another two weeks—-this is where the massage was critical in terms of me reclaiming my face. My only regret is that I bothered to go to a Neurologist, (day 4) who seemed less informed about Bell's palsy than I! When I tried discussing information I had found on the Internet, he said, "Well, you have to consider where you get your information." I said, "PubMed? Ohio State University?", both of which also had info about B12 studies. He had no response. I took the Acyclovir and Prednisone, to which I not only did not respond, but continued to decline and paralyze. A friend got me in to see her Integrative Doctor, and I began B12 injections as well as oral B12 in the form of Methylcobalamine the same day I started Annie's protocol. I am now going to offer this info to a neighbor's 24 year old daughter whom I have just learned has been frozen and suffering for 5 weeks—-no improvement. Thanks again for starting this site and allowing those of us who actually know what works a chance to speak and share and heal. I agree with your tag, "We are the angels we've been waiting for." Off to pass in on..... With grateful thanks, Mary E-mail: USELESSMESS@aol.com          From Dotti, on October 8, 2006... I am currently suffering from Bell's palsy. I have found that wearing swim goggles during sleeping hours provided my eye with sufficient moisture. I lube the eye and put the goggles on. They protect the eye from scratching and keep the eye very moist. I also do this in the afternoon if the eye feels irritated. Wearing a gauze patch or taping the eye shut applies unwanted and dangerous pressure on the eyeball. Try this - it works and provides great comfort!! Dotti Lockport NY E-mail: Jmtdmt53@aol.com          From Annie, on July 15th, 2006... Hi Maggie, I read with interest your article on Bell palsy. I suffered this 3 weeks ago with all the classic signs that you have mentioned, eye wouldn't blink or close, right side of my face was numb, corner of mouth dropped and my speech was slurred, it felt like I had had a stroke. I was lucky enough to meet an American doctor who was on a working holiday in New Zealand and he suggested that I try B12 injections 3 times a week, the dose being 500mcg, plus Acety-L-Carnitine (ALC) 1 tablet daily, and Methyl-Sulphonyl-Methane (MSM) 500mg 3 times a day, plus vitamins B1, B2, and B6, 3 times a day, dose being 50mg. Well it worked, within 12 days I was back to normal. It was incredible how after the first 9 days of nil changes that in the last 3 days that all the nerve ends started to respond. The B12 injections are to continue for the full period of 4 weeks. I hope this helps with any of your readers who are suffering from this terrible condition. Regards Annie ONeill New Zealand

The following are stories by others who have read maggie's story and wanted to share their experiences with Bell's palsy . . .           

This story sent by Mary on October 3rd, 2007....

Dear Maggie,

I, too, have been diagnosed with Bell's palsy. On June 12, 2007, just 16 weeks ago, was the first time it hit me. I had severe headaches for months prior to this episode. I had the same headache for weeks on end. Other than my two pregnancies I hadn't seen a doctor for an illness of my own since I was a child. I've always had headaches, but they always went away after a day or two or three. These headaches were too much. I saw a doctor about them and all I got were pain meds that didn't even help with the headaches. I think they were a sign of my impending Bell's palsy. The night before my Bell's palsy hit I had a headache so piercing and painful I was throwing up. My headaches were mostly on the right side of my face and the back of my head all the way down to my neck. This is also the side of my face the bell's palsy was on. I took some over the counter pain reliever and went to bed when the pain subsided. I awoke the next morning and made a phone call first
thing. I realized something wasn't right with me. I got off the phone and went to look in the mirror. At first I thought I had slept on the right side of my face too long and it had fallen asleep. I waited a few minutes and tried to get it to wake up. Of course, it didn't. That's
when I went into panic mode. I thought I was having a stroke. My husband drove me to an ER two hours away. We live in a small town that doesn't have a very good hospital. After being assured at the ER that I did not have a stroke I felt better, but was still upset to know that I had Bell's palsy. My mother had the same thing about 4 years ago and has not really recovered to this day. She received no treatment from the hospital in the town where we live. They gave her a blood pressure pill and sent her on her way. She lives with the pain during the cold months. The affected half of her face is probably still 50%
paralyzed. I didn't have any pain at first. The cold didn't bother me, and it was summer when this occured. I was also worried I would never recover either since my mother never did, but I did. I had a speedy recovery after my catscan, MRI, seeing my regular doctor and two neurologists, taking the antiviruls and steroids prescribed to me, and
buying a massager for my face. I was tired and rested alot. I'm a substitute teacher, so fortunately it was summertime and I didn't have to turn down any work. I had been stressed and overworked prior to this incident. Not to mention driving my kids to gymnastics, soccer, dance, and anywhere else they had to be. I thought I was super mom doing it all. My lip was a little droopy in the beginning, but my eye still closed. Not tightly, but it did close. Over the days my face was improving slightly each day. It probably took a full six weeks to look normal again. Still when I raise my right eyebrow I can feel as if my
lip is being pulled as well. When I look in the mirror I can't see it, so I'm the only one who knows since I feel it. My headaches evaporated. I thought whatever had been there had been released from my body. I felt good. After thinking all was well and good and the experience was behind me I was struck again just this passed Sunday. Only three days
ago on Sunday, September 30, 2007 I had Bell's palsy once again. This time on the opposite side of my face. It had not even been 4 months since it had first attacked me. At least I had a chance to recover from the first hit. I had just seen my neurologist for a follow up visit on September 20, 2007. Everything was fine then. I decided not to go to
the ER on Sunday and just wait until I could see my neurologist on Monday. It was barely noticeable. My husband thought I was crazy because he couldn't see it. I told him I could tell it was happening again. I just felt it. Since the Friday before I had an earache and
pain around and below my ear on my head. As Sunday progressed my face movement on my left side was deteriorating gradually. I was afraid to go to sleep for fear of what my face would look like in the morning. It wasn't so bad when I woke up, but it gradually got worse througout the day. I haven't lost all movement though. I still can make a small
smile and close my eye. My neurologist is really difficultt to see. It takes about 2 months to get an appointment with him, so I was very happy when he decided to see me that day at 5:00 p.m. I guess because I didn't even call I just showed up in his office that morning. I went in and of course he agreed that I did have it again. He wants me to have
another MRI because it is rare for the same person to get it twice and especially in such a short period of time. I don't see what they are going to find this time that they couldn't see the last time. He also mentioned that if I still would have had the headaches he would've had to do a spinal tap. I'm thinking he will want to do one anyway if the MRI reveals nothing. I don't think i will have that done though. I feel like I will recover again. I will just have to have faith and pray it doesn't come back again. I am taking the antiviruls and steroids again. I feel like they did work last time and my ear pain is virtually
gone. I know these drugs are just "maybes" and not proven to work, but it's better than nothing. I am still giving myself facial massages as well. I was called into work yesteday and decided to go. I don't feel anything wrong with me really. I just can't smile big or suck out of a straw without holding my top lip on it. I'm not drooling and it isn't really as noticeable as it was the first time on the other side. If anything this was a blessing. I always felt that with a straight face my right bottom lip was slightly droopy still. Now it has evened out since it hit the other side. Haha, it helps to have a sense of humor.
I don't want to get depressed like I did the first time. I want to keep my spirits up and fight this whatever it is. The medical professionals don't know what causes it or much of anything else about it. My faith is the only thing that gets me through. Thanks to you Maggie for starting this website and letting me read about everyone elses
experience with Bell's palsy.

Sincerely,
Mary Vela
Texas.

a follow-up message from Mary....

Dear Maggie,

I forgot to mention that I had a bad taste in my mouth both times after the facial sympotms began. Certain things tasted alright, but others tasted terrible. Even bottled water, purified water, and tap water all had an almost metallic taste. I have been able to move my tongue
throughout the two occurances, but I had this problem. It felt as if I had anbesol on the left back side of my tongue. I also don't know if this is relevant, but I read the other stories and some included joint pain. My neurologist also asked me if I had joint pain, a rash, cough, or chest x-ray recently. I really didn't know why he was asking these things.
My knee was swollen and sore, as was the back of my calf too. I just thought I injured it without realizing it. It went away since I tried to rest and stay off of it during the weekend. I still guess I don't understand the relevance of these questions. Also, both times before the onset of my Bell's Palsy I had alot of facial twitching on the side it was about to
hit a day or two before. Of course, the twitching really didn't mean much to me the first time, but by the second impending round of Bell's Palsy I feared I knew what was coming.
Unfortunately it did arrive.

Thank you again for sharing your experience and posting those of others with the same affliction. It truly does help to know I am not alone.

Sincerely,
Mary Vela
Texas

From David, on October 2nd, 2007....

Maggie,

I wanted to write to tell you about my case of Bells palsy as I think I can help others who are suffering. I have had Bell's for almost four years now. It began when I was playing Golf in Calgary, Canada on a cold, windy day. Just like other cases, I had an ear ache and a few days later I awoke with the left side of my face completely paralyzed. I, however, felt tremendous pain all over my head and left side of my neck; Just as if someone hit me repeatedly on the the left side everywhere. My face, neck and head hurt to touch. The doctor told me it was the worst case of Bell's he had ever seen. In the following weeks, I saw six general practicing doctors (GP,family physicians we call them in Canada) and two neurologists.......no known cause--no known cure.

I was a stockbroker at the time and was not taking care of myself as I was working 100 hours a week and was stressed to the max. I took 3 weeks off work and slept 14 hours a day, took every vitamin imaginable, steroids, acupuncture, stretching, physiotherapy, Cat Scan, MRI, X-ray, chiropractor etc ... I spent roughly $10,000 trying to get better. Massage therapy helped a little so I would spend money on that if I had to do it all over again.

Nothing worked, I could not close my left eye for six months and used to go to work wearing a pirate patch. I was so depressed. Note: I had a headache from the Bell's everyday for almost 4 years. In behind my left ear (infected side) and into my temple.

Almost four years later I am about 95% recovered, no headaches and I think I have a cure. I believe I would be 100% if I found this earlier. The doctors will tell you there is no known cause/cure because doctors cannot isolate the independent variables and they don't collaborate with other health practitioners, at least in the western world. Is it wind, cold, herpes, stress etc.I have been dealing with this as I said for almost four years now and to this point I have spent $25,000 and I think I have discovered a cure and could have saved myself $10,000.

From my experience, I have some suggestions for those suffering.

1. Go get a facial massage 3 times a week at least, and everyday if possible; get a family member to do it if you can't afford it. Massage might help a little as it did help me.

2. Look in the mirror an hour a day and physically try to move your face. You must get your brain to try to remake the connections you lost with the injury. Try to make every face possible and hold your breadth with each pose. When you breathe you will lose your focus as you need certain muscles to open your nasal passage etc.

3. The third is the most important. Go find a Neuromuscular dentist. I notice when I move my jaw a certain way that my left ear ( Bells palsy side) will feel funny, like I am in a airplane (decompression) or it hurts etc. What these dentists do is find the position where your jaw should be,not where it is forced to go, due to an incorrect bite. They do this by hooking you up to a T.E.N.S. machine. This machine forces you to bite repeatedly for an hour. The machine makes you bite in the correct muscular position, which is the correct bite position. You might not be able to get in that position due to a bad bite; so in the long run you may need braces. The dentist will then make you a splint to go in your mouth (based on the T.E.N.S. machine) so when you bite you actually bite in the correct position. Within one week of wearing this splint my nerves started to connect again. You will know this is happening 'cause that part of your face will feel a tingling burning sensation. Keeping my case in perspective, I discovered this dentist three years and eight months after first being hit with Bell's, so never give up.

For more info on tensing visit
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/5-10-2006-95699.asp

I am wearing braces now and have a mouth splint, but believe me I am smiling bigger than ever.

Your dentist will most likely send you to a NUCCA chiropractor in conjunction with TENS treatment. NUCCA is National upper cervical chiropratic association. This deals with the neck area and the cranial nerves. The seventh nerve is the facial nerve and the 11th is the taste neve (I think) This is what lead me to the bite issue as there are more nerves generally affected than the facial nerve as I have heard of other Bells cases where other people have lost some of theIR taste on the infected side.

Here is a link to NUCCA.
http://www.nucca.org/


Hope this helps others,

Sincerely,

Dave Hayden
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
dave_hayden@hotmail.com

maggie's reply:

yes, david. very helpful. thank you (and others will thank you, i'm sure) for taking the time. i'm assuming you read my story on my site and other "success" stories on my site as well. if you did you'll know that there are even gentler approaches, which involve no machines, or strict procedures. in my case, for example, i'm practically certain that, with a little bit of grace, b-12 shots -- yes, shots -- i gave my self and self massage with lavender oil in an almond oil base -- plus all the herbal nervines i used, were tremendously helpful (singing and laughing didn't hurt either!). the main thing is to do what you did, what i and others did, to bring about success and that was to take our healing into our own hands, tracking down the finest resources and using them faithfully. i also added in plenty of prayer -- not only that i be healed but that others who suffer with bell's and other challenges be healed as well. even before three weeks were up and i was completely healed, like you, i wanted to give back.

all blessings to you. i'm glad you're oh so close to at last being clear of bell's.

maggie (davis)

Reenie sent this on January 24th, 2007....

I am a very healthy person. However, two weeks before Bell's palsy hit, I had broken my right shoulder. I compensated by using my left side to do all my chores, work and carry heavy stuff. When I got bells palsy, incidently on my left side, I stopped and listened to my body.

I used both conventional and alternative therapies. I took steroids and an antiviral drug for a week as my doctor prescribed. I noticed that when I finished the steroids that I had pain from where I guess the affected nerve was, at the nape of my neck, straight up my head, down alongside my eye, settling on my cheek.

From your website, I learned of B-12. I did not take injections, but I did take a supplement. I also took a general B vitamin supplement. I increased my potassium intake, as I read that would be beneficial.

I was concerned for my eye. Taping it did not work. I tried many kinds of tape. I had a web of tape over my eye to keep it closed. It always popped open. I am allergic to eye drops. Therefore, I put a petroluem based eye ointment in my eye and put a patch over it. I applied the ointment several times a day.

I decided the best thing for me was to figure out how to get through bells palsy in the most positive way possible.
I have a ton of sick time at work. I took 3 weeks off to heal. I meditated for a few minutes each day. I gave myself daily, sometimes twice daily Reiki sessions. Reiki always soothes me. My hands were boiling hot as the energy poured into my body...healing. I practiced hatha yoga daily, but in a very gentle way, being careful not to stress my neck. I found that after yoga I would feel tingling near my eye and lips. I called this my at home spa.
With Bell's palsy, I felt like I had a virus for two weeks. I slept much more than usual. I felt "yukky." The third week, as my symptoms eased, I felt much better and become bored at home.

It was hard having Bell's palsy, but I'm better for having that experience.

Reenie

P.S. (from January 26th, 2007):
There was another thought I has about Bell's palsy. I had read that it often strikes pregnant women. I guess that's probably because of some hormone connection. I am pre-menapausal. I have been experimenting with various herbal hormonal supplements. When I came down with Bell's palsy, I had been taking a natural estrogen/progesterone supplement for a few days. I felt a connection between the bells palsy and the supplements so I immediately threw them out.

I am very sensitive to hormonal changes. Peri-memopause was the pitts! I am curious whether any other women had a sense that hormones played some sort of role in Bell's palsy?

E-mail: reeniesargent@comcast.net

from Gail of Denver, Colorado on January 28th, 2006....

My son was just diagnosed with Bell's palsy tonight.  I am seeing that several people at your website taped their eye shut at night.  Could you tell me how to do this for him?  I am trying to use a small piece of gauze under the tape, so that it doesn't stick to his eyelashes, but am afraid the eye will work open under it without me knowing.  I am worried about his cornea being damaged by anything that comes in contact with his eye.
 
This is such a terrifying experience, first thinking my 24 year old son was having a stroke, then reading all the stuff about Bell's.  I didn't even feel peaceful about the ER diagnosis, being done in a matter of minutes, but his appearance and symptoms are exactly like you describe. - right eyelid won't close, right side of mouth can't smile or chew, taste off, right nostril can't move, can't close lips tight to eat or drink, pain in right ear, and feeling left ear is plugged.
 
thank you for you efforts to help others with this problem.
 
Gail Bruce
Denver Colorado

E-mail: rngbruce1@comcast.net

maggie's reply:

dear gail,
just got your message. so sorry about your son's bout with bell's.
i googled "how to tape eyes shut during bells palsy" and got this page http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=how+to+tape+eyes+shut+during+bells+palsy and went to this page http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A623648 , which was helpful. however, i would call your opthalmologist today (or any opthamologist) and ask how best to solve the eye taping challenge. your concern is real. if i'm remembering right about the patch, i used a hard plastic curved one that didn't touch the eye. i wish i could remember if i used it at night, sleeping on my back. i did use lubricating drops and gels, similar to those described on the bbc page. i didn't click on the other sights listed on the google page, but you might want to. please let me know how you and your son progress. something you learn, positively or negatively could help others. thank you and all good fortune.

with all goodwill and blessings.
maggie (davis)

from Prasanna of Uttar Pradesh in India, on January 21st, 2006...

Dear Maggie madam 
I am prasanna
i am suffering from bells palsy since dec 27th 2005 and i have taken all forms of treatment like antiviral and corticosteroids after 20 days recovery is very poor about 20% should i use TENS. I am undergoing electrical muscle stimulations daily for 30 min.
please advise
thanking you
dr. s.b. prasanna

E-mail: prasannavet@rediffmail.com

reply from maggie:

dear prasanna,
i am so sorry you are suffering.
i only used natural ways of healing as described on my website. i don't know about TENS, though i've heard of it.
have you read my bells palsy story?
heartsongbooks.com/bells.html
there are other stories on my site as well.
also, if you "google" for other bells palsy sites, be sure no one is trying to sell you anything. best go to sites where people simply are sharing their stories. some, i believe, are listed on my website.
you are welcome to email me again.
all good fortune to you,
maggie (davis)

reply from Prasanna on January 23rd, 2006:

Dear madam
Iam 30 years i was actually working a lot during past one year under lot of stress for PhD away from home which i suppose was reason and it was very cold at time of occurance.Now i came back with 2 months rest to home at BANGALORE.I HAVE REGAINED EYELID MOVEMENTS OTHERS Like smile cheek movements are still not visible.
I have gone through your website and found a lot of information useful TENS IS trans cutaneous electrical nerve stimulator and Doctor in Bangalore,india had advised for usage 20 minutes daily
I AM getting acupuncture, infrared and endomed current treatment taking Bcomplex(methylcobalmin),doing  pranayama yoga exercises
I thank you for your society help.
I wish to read your book IS It available in bangalore or can i get it from you by sending draft ?
Thanking you
prasanna

from Susanna, on January 20, 2006....

Hi...
Your website came to me via a google search to see if bells occurs in dogs.  I currently have a dog (cocker spaniel) that is exhibiting some of the same symptoms of bells that I had.
 
Ironically, I called my Internist this morning to discuss my concerns about the left side of my face.  I've had Bells palsy twice!  Once on each side of my face!  I am one of the anomolies of Bells...
 
The first time was on the right side of my face.  After spending a cold February night in a local hotel that had the draftiest windows for a 3-star hotel...I didn't complain to management because the room was a comp for doing some business for the hotel.  Too bad I didn't complain, 2 days later I couldn't close my eye, was drooling, and having some difficulty speaking.  It wasn't too bad - just a bit embarassing to wear an eye patch for several weeks as a new college student in my 30s!  So much for wanting to blend into the class with my teenage counterparts.
 
I survived the first bout and recovered 100% following the traditional medical treatment.
 
The second time occured 5 years to the month later! and on the opposite side!   I had just landed my long-time dream job - a middle school teacher of American History.  And then February, 1997 I had to take off 6 weeks of work.  I was sure I would be fired.  I was still on probation. 
 
My second bout with Bells was much worse.  And because it is so rare to get it twice and on the opposite side it was recommended I have a litany of tests to rule out any other possibilities.  Spinal taps were recommended - which I refused.  I did opt for a brief steroid treatment and then followed the "unconventional" medical route.  I too used accupucture, chiropractic, and herbal remedies to help me through this bout.  They helped, I healed, and returned to work.  But this time I only healed about 90%. 
 
To this day, I suffer from a droopy left eye (especially noticeable when I am overworked and stressed) and a bit of sagging on the left side of my face.  My friends and family tell me they don't see the sagging of my mouth or cheek until they see photographs of me.  The eye - well that has become a sign for my administrators that I am working too hard or have had an unsettling day with students and/or parents.  All I can do is rest.
 
But today...well, I have lived with pain on the left side of my face since the bells, but the pain has become a chronic condition and it is beginning to wear me down emotionally.  I feel for people who live with terrible chronic pain.  I called my doctor - have an appointment next week - but she says she believes it is related to migraines.  Personally, I know it is related to my bout with bells.  It has been there ever since. 
 
So, to make my long story short...I wonder if you or any readers have experienced chronic pain for an extended period following a bout with bells.  Can anyone give me any advice on what to do - to take - anything...
 
Thanks.
Susanna

E-mail: osusannalh@yahoo.com

maggie's reply:

dear susanna,
oh my. what a powerful story.
first, regarding bells in dogs, i don't see why it couldn't occur. my guess would be that some of the same treatments would help. (alternative treatments, included.) are you able to protect your dog's eye?
i'm so sorry you're experiencing pain.
i'm not a doctor, but will you share with me what kind of pain you're having. sharp? stabbing? aching? nerve pain? i might be able to make some suggestions or steer you to those who can help.
at the same time you're feeling pain, i'd glad you're feeling for others who are experiencing it. i'm afraid that's our lesson, we struggling human beings. to feel for each other all the time. when finally we come to feel for others without having to suffer what they are suffering, something will ease in this tender, tender world. in my heart i know this.
may i put your story on our website, with your email address?
thanks for reaching out. your story will help others, and perhaps you'll get the response you're looking for.

i wish you all blessings.
maggie (davis)

to Susanna, from another reader (Sheri), on April 25th, 2007:

I read your article on Maggies page. I too had Bell's palsy on both sides of my face. The first time was in March of 1998, the second was around November 1999.

I was wondering if you found anything more on this rarity. I am having MS symptoms, which Bi-Lateral Bell's such as ours can be a sign of. The only problem is that I keep testing negative for MS and keep finding doctors that don't know the cause. Since January of this year (2007), my muscles have severely begun to atrophy, my muscles are so weak and have so much pain and tingling, that I am unable to walk more than a few feet. I finally got my employer to provide me a motorized wheelchair for work. When at home, I don't have that luxury and I keep falling. I have sprained my foot the other night.
The last neurologist I went to refused to look at the atrophy and tried telling me it was all in my head. Other doctors have seen and noted the atrophy on my left side.
I am so frustrated and desperate for answers. What are some of the resources you have found? I'm afraid I may have ALS, but there is no test for that. I need to know what other effects Bi-Lateral Bell's palsy can have long term, or if it is a symptom of something other than MS&.

I would really appreciate any help you could give me.

Sheri

E-mail: swithrow@insightbb.com

maggie's reply to Sheri, April 25th, 2007:

dear sheri,
i'm so sorry.
i've just spent over a half hour googling and have come up with nothing.

if you haven't already, and are moved to, try every bell's, als, ms forum and newsgroup you can find. the folks on these forums will point you in new directions, perhaps. when i helped myself through bell's, it was the forums i went to, not the doctors. the folks were so helpful and supportive. i am inspired and informed reading person accounts of people facing illness, of whatever kind.
i'm going to put your email and your email address on my bell's page, if that's all right. maybe someone visiting can help you.

also, where do you live? i know that in my coastal but rural area of maine, there are few doctors i'd entrust with my healing.

perhaps , google best als (ms, bell's docs). see who feels right to you. call their offices. maybe you can get a phone appointment or some kindly secretary or nurse in the office will have heard of someone with your symptoms and you can connect with that person.

i wish i could help. i send you all best and invite you to email me again, either with more questions, (or good news!).

love,
maggie

HH of Concordia, Kansas sent this story on January 6th, 2006....

I had Bell's palsy too—at the age of 35. What I want to share with others is this:

ACUPUNCTURE
After 4 months of no recovery and then told by the neurologist to "get used to it", I agreed to see an acupuncturist who was also an MD—he had also had Bell's palsy—and he was Korean.

After 4 months of a quite severe case, my lip moved up after only one treatment.
He used electric stim (as in physical therapy) which he attached to each needle in my face—and then left it on for about an hour. He told me if I had come in as soon as it occurred—I could have regained my whole face (only got back about 98%). Still, that was pretty good!

My smile is different—and that is a loss for me—photos look terrible in my eyes, but not all of them, and it is sad to lose your face, no matter how much returns. I still have a watery eye and, when cold, a droop.

But it could have been worse—and I am sad more people use the prednesone instead of trying the acupucture. It was miraculous for me—I was told I had a very severe case—and from there I recovered once the needling began after two weeks.

And yes, I now use scarves, hats, earmuffs and a headband to cover it all up in the winter! (not all at once hahaha)

Hope this helps someone. Good Luck.

P.S. I was told high reoccurance ages are the 30's and the 50's. Sigh....

E-mail: hathorneh@sbcglobal.net

the following is an e-mail dialogue between Steve Miller and maggie....

12/24/05, from Steve:
I was so glad to find your Bell's site as I've been a bit freaked out by all this.  Six days ago (12/18/05) I began to notice that something about my face didn't feel right.  I'm a 44 year old male who is in overall very good health.  I'd just been getting over a very rare bout of illness with some type of viral laryngitis crud that was passed to me by the woman I ride to work with.  I began to notice last Sunday that there was something strange going on with my face.  The left side of my face felt "fat", kinda of  like I was just coming off a shot of novacaine but it was the right side of my face that didnt seem to be working too well.  Finally Wednesday I made it into the Dr's office and was diagnosed with a relatively mild case of Bell's. My treatment regimin from the Doc includes the standard pharmacological Predisone and Valtrex.  I am adding to that B vitamin supplements, L-Carnatine and Echinacia.  I've also started seeing a chiropractor and have an appointment today (Saturday) with an acupuncturist.  The reading I've done indicates that about 80-90% of Bells cases will resolve on their own in 3-4 weeks, a smaller persentage in 4-6 months and a smaller percentage much longer if ever.  It seemed prudent to me to throw everything I could  find at this.  From what I've seen and read, my case is very mild compared to some. I can close my right eye if I concentrate, the paralysis is not full and these things seem to indicate that I should have a very good chance for recovery.  But being proactive seems to be the prudent choice as this is a bit frightening and has the possibility of not healing quickly or at all.

12/25/05, from maggie:
steve. sounds like you're off to a good start. my sense of it was (when i had bell's) that the nervines (scullcap etc.) and gentle massage, and b-12 shots helped most.
will you email me in a month with a follow up and give your okay for me to put both your e-mails on the bell's page of my site? we want to relieve others of this worry, yes?

all good fortune to you,
maggie

12/28/05, from Steve:
Approx 50% improved.  Notice twitching in my eyelid and lip on a regular basis which, it would seem, is a good thing.  Means the nerve is healing, yes??

1/6/06, from Steve:
At this point (a little less than 3 weeks into the symptoms), I'd say I'm about 90-95% recovered;  I still have a little bit of paralysis/dysfunction in the extreme upper left corner of my forehead.
 
In addition to the Valtrex and Prednisone (which I stopped after 5 days...man, what nasty stuff!), I supplemented with Vit B complex, B-1, B-2, B-6, B-12 ( Methylcobalamin), L-Carnatine and Echinacea.  I also started some chiropractic, and acupuncture.  The acupuncture was supplemented with electro-stimulation.  I began to notice substantial improvement after the 2nd acupunture treatment, about 12 days into this.
 
My recommendation to anyone unlucky enough to get Bell's is to treat it aggressively with everything you can throw at it.
 
I wrote about my experience as of Christmas day on my blog:
http://austinsgudpackage.blogspot.com/2005/12/jingle-bells-palsy.html

E-mail: gudpackage@gmail.com

this comes from Carol Britt, of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on April 27th, 2005....

It was the week of April 4, 2005 and I wasn't feeling quite myself…generally tired and run down but was blaming it on work.  I'm a 56 year old elementary/middle school teacher, working on my counseling licensure, plus planning the wedding of my only daughter.
About the middle of the week I felt this aching in the back of my head on the right hand side and a metallic taste in my mouth.  The metallic taste was annoying and the ache was bothersome.  I noticed them both that Wednesday and Thursday.  On Friday morning I remember thinking, as I put my lipstick on, I was having a little difficulty outlining my lips…but, I was in a hurry, just laughed it off as aging and hurried to school.  I didn't notice anything unusual that day at school.   I didn't do any teaching as we were giving a PSSA Field Test to all the classes.  After school I stopped with friends for a little Friday get together time and noticed as I took a sip of my drink that my mouth felt like it couldn't fully grasp the glass.  I pulled a friend aside and asked her to look at my face.  She didn't notice anything.  I explained how I was getting a feeling of numbness (like Novocain wearing off on the left hand side of my face), she looked again and said maybe I was having a stroke.   That was all I needed to hear, I immediately went home!  Long story short, I went to the emergency room for a stay from Friday night to Monday.  At first I was diagnosed with a CVA, placed on a monitor, given medications, had a CAT scan, dobbler test on the carotid artery and an MRI before it was determined that I had Bell's palsy.  Not happy, but definitely relieved as they were considering stroke, MS, or a tumor! 

As each day arrived the paralysis of the right side of my face became more apparent.  My eye started to bother me on Sunday while in the hospital.  I read some information my husband brought from the internet and it mentioned that the eye may be affected due to non-blinking.  Monday I asked for an eye patch while in the hospital. They gave me some tear-gen to keep the eye wet and no other directions.  My own medical doctor came in on Monday morning and agreed with Bell's palsy.  He prescribed Prednisone for a five week period and I went home.  I made an appointment to see him within two weeks from leaving the hospital.

Luckily, my brother is a chiropractor and I was so glad to have him on board with all of this.  He adjusted me as soon as I got out of the hospital and many times since then.  I think that has made a world of difference in my recovery. 

Once home I settled into the whole experience and decided to document it.  On Tuesday I two pictures, one with the patch on and one without the patch.  I didn't have any make-up on so it's not a real flattering picture but it shows the extent of the paralysis.  I'm glad I took the picture because, now exactly three weeks later I can't believe the difference!! 

I decided to call the eye doctor on that Tuesday as my eye was really bothering me.  It was a good thing I called, my eye was full of abrasions and it could have caused the loss of my eyesight if it had not been treated.  I was a little upset that no one informed me of this possibility but I decided that I was just happy to have this condition and nothing more serious.  My motto became "I'm not complaining, just explaining"?!  So, for the next two weeks I dealt with wearing the eye patch, putting in eye drops and antibiotics for the eye. 

Today, three weeks later, I am recovering nicely.  I took my three week pictures and compared them to the other four…it's amazing!  I still have a little drag on the right side of my mouth, the metal taste seems to come and go (think I'm dealing with some steroid reaction) but my eye is doing fine!  I can now drive and will get out a little which is something I need to do for myself.

E-mail: Harkcab@adelphia.net

A Bell's palsy story sent by Amanda, from Hull, England, on April 7th, 2005....

Last wednesday, when I was due at the library, I was putting on my lipstick, getting my 2 young boys ready. I went to rub my lips together, and they wouldnt go together, the top lip looked very strange. It felt like I had just come from the dentist. I mentioned it to my partner, and he commented that maybe because I had a lot of injections at the dentist, there was a bit of an after shock.When we arrived at the library I told Tessa, my friend, about my lip—she made a comment that it was strange, as my dentist visit was over a week ago. Over the next few hours, my left side of my face lost all feeling. When I arrived home, I was very concerned when I looked in the mirror, and was quite shocked at what I saw. My left brow was lower than the right, my eye was open and sore, my face was puffy, I looked very un well, and my mouth drooped, I could hardly speak.The following day, I called the dentist, they said to go in, so I went in. My dentist was quite confused by what was happening and said she couldnt understand as my teeth etc looked more than fine. She suggested maybe it was some kind of cold and perscribed me some anti-biotics.
I started them right away. I knew by day four there was a real problem. Looking back over the weekend, I remember being in a state of shock, and being very frightened.
On sunday night (4th April,2005),I was chatting to a friend, and I mentioned I was bothered about my health. She asked what was happening, and I described all my symptoms. She mentioned her father suffered something very simular. She found a site about famous people who had Bell's palsy and information about what it is etc. I was shocked even further as I read the symptoms, and I had every singke one, including hearing loss in one ear, heightened in another. I then began to do as much research as possible.

On monday morning I rang the Dr., I was told to go in at 2pm. He said he would give me details to go up to the hospital and see the specialist. Me and my family went in at 2pm, Dr. K gave me a perscription for steroids and anti-virals. He asked me to go to the chemist, take 8 and then come back to the surgery. So that's what I did.

When I returned to the surgery, he said he had spoken to the specialist at the hospital, and my dose was to be increased from 8 steroids to 20!!! I did as instructed, the following day. Since then I have been extremely ill, apart from yesterday (wednesday 6th april). I went to library again with my little one and forgot to take with me my steroids. I felt so much brighter, and my lip started slightly smiling again.

So by now, Bell's palsy has been a part of my life for a week. I have treated it with aromatherapy baths, homeopathy, singing!! (I am a professional singer), and singing is fabulous for the circulation, and I am just going to start yoga. I already exercise regularly,though now I will exercise to an even deeper more commited level. My whole lifestyle has to change. People say I am handling it well, the way I see it is that it could have been something so much worse, and that there is a huge possibility of recovery.I have had so many positive thoughts and prayers coming my way—I am  fortunate and blessed that my friends and family love me so much and offer me such support.
I made a decision today to come off the steroids, and to use other methods in aid to get better. So far I have used:
* patchouli oil — anti-inflammatory, and a nerve stimulant
* tea tree — fights any infection, keeps swelling down.
* skullcap tea — helps me to sleep,and keeps headache tolerable

I made for my eye — I used sunflower oil as a carrier oil, and in it I added 4 drops of tea tree and 2 drops of lavendar. I rub this over my eye and cheek, and also add it to my bath water.

I am about to make up a careplan for today and to start yoga to heighten relaxation and visualisation :-)

E-mail: indogo1111@yahoo.com

Kate sent this story on January 21st, 2005....

About two years ago, when I was 14, I developed an extremely rare case of bells palsy. While most people just have it on one side of their face, and many at least get some type of symtom, I wasn't that lucky. I went to sleep on December 15, 2002, as a completely normal 14 year old, without a single indication that something might be wrong. The next morning i awoke for school and noticed that I couldn't blink easily. I looked in the mirror and recieved the shocker of my life. I couldn't move either side of my face. I had the extremely rare form of bells palsy, (about 1 in every 5,000 people get bells palsy, but less than 1% of those few get bilateral). Naturally, I freaked out, having no idea what the heck this was and why I couldn't move my face. I went to the doctor less than two hours later and found out that I had not only bilateral bels palsy, which the doctor had never even seen a case of before, but lyme disease also. A few days later, I had to have an IV put into my arm for four weeks. Now would be a good time to mention that I'm deathly phobic of needles. I had to put moisture drops in my eyes several times a day because I could no longer blink automatically, causing my eyes to be tearing constantly. Over the next three months, it was a bit of a nightmare to walk around and have to explain to people why I couldn't move my face.

For the first month or so, while it was at its worse, I couldn't taste food. No matter what I ate or drank, everything had an extremely unappetizing sour minty taste. Eventually, it started to get better, and after about three and a half months it was gone. There are still some signs of it left though. When I yawn, my mouth drifts towards the left side and my right eye closes completely, and if I'm sleepy, my face is much weaker that usual. I'm extremely paranoid every time I feel the slightest pain in my face or feeling that showed up with it, and I'm constantly terrifed of a relapse.

Most people feel pity for me if I tell them about this, but I'm actually glad that it happened. It woke me up to the fact that I'm not invincible to rare things, as much as every person would like to beleive think that they are. 

E-mail: silverflame4889@yahoo.com

This comes from Yvette, of Berkeley, California....

I was diagnosed with Bell's palsy when I was 12. It wasn't too bad, except for the fact that I couldn't close my left eye. After about 2 mos. I didn't recover all the way though...which made me feel really self-concious because when I took pictures, I could see that my face was not symmetrical. Eventually I got over it, until 2 years later. I got it again, and then again, and again...and now I'm suffering from my fifth spell of bell's palsy and I'm only 18 years old!! The doctors have no answers, people think I have a lazy eye, I'm embarassed to smile! Now, I'm looking into acupuncture and possible surgery which made me stumble onto this website. I've been given prednisone and acyclovir, which helps for the time being. BUt definitely doesn't keep it from coming back. I decided to share my story to encourage you all not to take this lightly. Take care of yourselves, see specialists, ask questions. When the doctors seem like they have no answers, ask other doctors. I will keep you all updated after possible surgery and/or acupuncture. Keep hope alive! Don't let this make you depressed or ill, (like it has sometimes made me) just relax and try not to be stressed.

Stress is sometimes the initiator...

E-mail: sarcasmwithasmile@hotmail.com

A story sent to us by RO of Tarpon Springs, Florida....

Hi, my name is Ro and I just happened upon this site by accident. My story with Bell's palsy began five years ago. I had an earache and was experiencing episodes of dizziness during the day. I tried all sorts of home treatments but, nothing was helping. A couple of days later I started to get this ringing in my ears which got louder and louder. It just plain drove me crazy. It sounded like Sunday Church bells ringing in my head and ears. I wanted to bang my head against the wall just to make the ringing go away. It was driving me crazy. All I heard was bells constantly. One night I placed a heating pad on my left side of my face by the ear which was ringing. I thought this might help it disappear. I was so desperate to try anything. I had the ceiling fan going full blast. Needless to say the combination of this strong cool breeze blowing in the affected ear and the heat of the pad on HOT would end up ruining me for the rest of my life. It has cost me the life I once knew and ended my 30 yr marriage. I woke up in the early am one day and my then husband looked at me and I will always remember the look of horror on his face to this very day. He said RO you had a stroke. I could feel something was wrong because my eye on the left side would not close and I was drooling out of the corner of my mouth on that side of the face. I took one look into the mirror and what looked back at me was not my face which I had known my whole life but one who now looked like a monster who was disfigured! My left eye hung like five inches lower than my right eye, my mouth was about that length lower than the other side. My one eyebrow was down also. I couldn't speak correctly, my speech made no sense, my eye would not close and I started to panic. Without any medical insurance I knew no one would really see me in any office for treatment neither would a hospital. I hurried up and got dressed and went to a local clinic and sat for five hours. They did nothing for me except give me a name of a Ear doctor who gave me a hearing test which showed I lost hearing totally in one ear on the left side and my eye sight was failing also. He diagnosed me with an extreme case of Bell's palsy & told me to take the Rx which he handed me to the local pharmacy to get filled and take the steriods as directed. I did as I was told and continued back to his office where he saw me once a week for three months. There was no change of my appearance. I hid in my home during the day and only went out in the dark of night fearing others would see me. I became a recluse in my own world of this disease or illness called Bell's palsy. The doctor finally asked the local hospital to do a charity Ct scan on me of my head. The results showed nothing. The doctor continued to give me steroids and assured me I would get better and my face would return to normal. After 6 months of this my then-Husband turned to me one day out of the blue and said Ro you are to ugly to look at anymore and went on his very way to carry on an affair with a woman up the street who lived in our community. The neighbors took pity on me and took care of me and to make a long story shorter I went on to somewhat heal but my face remained crooked. My husband divorced me right after this. The only place who would hire me back then was the local flower shop whose owner was disabled. She was a sweet lady who actually hired alot of single Mom's and people like myself. I worked for minium wage for years and continued to show some slight improvement. I turned out to be one of a small percentage of people who never heal from this horrible illness that doctors claim has no cure or known real origin. I consider myself an expert on the effects of having this ailment after researching it for an instense five very long years and feel if doctors really spent the time doing the right tests and studying the patients with the stories of horror about Bell's they just might end the misery of this illness and find a cure. Nevertheless I counted my blessings for all I had experienced in life and never became bitter with the ex who by the way is dying of cancer now at the young age of 49. Oh yea the girlfriend up the street well she threw him out when he got ill. Seems he got exactly what he dished out to me. God has a funny way of making what comes around goes around you know what I mean right? No matter how bad you feel or how ill you get, just look around and you will see tons of people who are worse off than you! Just glance up at the clouds, look at the ocean and smell the air that is what life is all about! My lessons on this earth continue.......... Ro and her angels!

E-mail: Angelicro@aol.com

This came from Kara Logan, of Isle of Wight, England, on May 8th, 2004....

Thank you for your e-mail, I will discuss with my midwife when I see her to ask her advice on using the [pure] lavender oil [in a base of organic almond oil]  for massage on my face [as you suggested].

I would be honoured if you put my story on your web site, after all if I can give hope to at least one person suffering with Bell’s then it is worth it as not enough is known about this condition, especially by GP’s.  I thought I would write down my experience in a bit more detail which you can put with my original e-mail that I sent to you yesterday and edit it as you see fit.

October 1996, aged 24 years, Tonsillitis, was given antibiotics by GP, woke up one morning with pins and needles on the left hand side of my tongue and a bitter taste in my mouth, went into the shower, bent my head back to rinse off shampoo and a sharp burning pain shot up my neck from the base to my jaw line by my left ear, (this was the only pain I experienced), thought I’d just pulled a muscle, went to put on my make-up and couldn’t close my left eye, couldn’t drink properly (dribbled) at this point I thought I’d had a stroke as I was on the contraceptive pill and this was the time that the news was full of stories of blood clots etc.  I went to the GP the next day and Bell’s was confirmed, with my abrupt diagnosis (as told in previous e-mail), was given steroids for 10 days (high dose though can’t remember what they were called – were small red, about the size of the contraceptive pill and had to take 8 at a time).  These had no effect on any of my symptoms, I then did facial exercises and massaged my face as instructed to me by a friend, these were as listed below:
1 Say A, E, I, O, U, and really over emphasise it whilst stood in front of a mirror.
2 Puff up your cheeks and try as hard as you can to keep the air in whilst pushing on your cheeks and trying to squeeze the air out with your fingers.
3 With your eyebrows, try and frown and try and raise them (as if you’re surprised).
4 Try and wrinkle your nose up.
5 Try and flare your nostrils.
6 Try to smile.I did all of these twice a day and after a few weeks a gradual improvement came back, within 8 weeks I was 95% recovered, all you could see was a slight twitch in my left eye when I was really tired.

33 and a half weeks pregnant on the 1st June 2000, Bells palsy started again, I woke up to a searing stabbing pain in the base of my neck again on the left hand side running up to the side of my jaw just next to my ear, this time I had constant pain as well as facial paralysis.
3rd June 2000, saw GP who said I had an ear infection, couldn’t possibly be Bell’s palsy “you can’t get it twice!”, said I needed my ears syringed.  I refused to accept this and went home and on the net to find out more, I discovered that Bell’s was common in pregnancy in the last trimester of which I was and also if you have had it before you are likely to get it again, so I printed the information off and made another appointment but this time with a different GP.

5th June 2000, saw different GP, showed him all the information I had printed off and told him I thought I had Bell’s, he replied “that he thought I was right, after all as I had had it before I should know what the symptoms were, and asked if he could keep the information for future reference”.

6th June 2000, had my ears syringed, waste of time, it made no difference.

12th June 2000, my husband had to go for a routine appointment with his chiropractor and I went along, he asked me what was wrong and I explained that I had Bell’s, he asked me to hop onto the couch and started to manipulate my skull and neck (he practises a method called McTimoney, which gently manipulates muscle and bone with sweeping of his hands over affected parts of your body).  As soon as he did this the pain in my neck and head instantly went and that evening I was able to close my eye!

13th June 2000, I got my dimple back on the left hand side of my face and was able to drink a cup of tea without dribbling!

14th June 2000, I can whistle!

17th June 2000, all my face is back to normal, except for a slight twitch in my left eye as before when I am tired.

I do believe that having a great support of family and friends helped me to recover as well as self determination that I would not be brought down by this awful affliction.  I think it is a great shame that GP’s and the medical profession in general do not know enough about this condition as to me my face is everything I am as a person, it’s what people first see when they meet me, my bubbly smile, and when I got Bell’s I didn’t feel whole anymore, but I got through it, twice, and think I am stronger and more understanding because of it.  But I do know how hard it is and how lonely you feel when this happens to you and not everyone is as lucky as I was to recover.

I hope you can edit this as you wish and use it for your web site, I would be very happy for you to use my email address and name etc.

I hope this is useful to you and hope to hear from you soon.

Yours sincerely,
 
Kara Logan

E-mail: logie71@yahoo.co.uk

Kate Oliver writes from England (with a response from maggie following):

Dear maggie

I've just read several of the personal stories from your website and can't thank you enough for making the information available this way.

I have suffered from Bell's for about 14 years now - I have just been diagnosed with my third 'episode' after a ten year pause. As a child, it was just mild to moderate - a bit of a dropp to the eye and a post-dental work looking swollen mouth. Now, at 28, it would seem that God has decided I should try Bell's at full whack and it's incredibly depressing.

The hardest thing for me was not any fear; as I said, I've had this before, but just how awful it is to have the adult awareness of the importance (or society's version of importance) of how we look and to see our faces so horribly contorted.

I am a teacher and so I stand before hundreds of chilren on a daily basis and can only give thanks that this attack has taken place during the Easter break and that, all being well, I will only need a minimal amount of time away from work - I couldn't possibly cope with being seen in public right now.

And from that, I would reiterate the comment someone made on the site - that it is vital that family members and friends are supportive and aware of the psychological impact of having this happen.

In terms of onset, on this occasion I had been feeling extremely run down with awful debilitating joint pain (back, inside elbows and back of knees especially, with pins and needles in my hands and feet), to the point that I could only sit, stand or lie down for 20 minute periods in rotation to alleviate the different strains of each 'stance' and had visited my GP. Unfortunately, a dreadful locum was the only person available to see me and I was simply given painkillers (kapake) and sent on my way - having been made to feel like a malingering time waster. The joint pain was excruciating and I ended up at my local Accident and Emergency Department in the early hours of the morning 2 days later. I was then given diazepam and tramodol, some naproxen, told I had 'a viral infection' and sent away.

I had by this time had three days off work and was feeling no better. I first noticed facial symptoms on Monday of this week (1 full week after starting with the joint pains), but I recognised the onset of Bell's and only expected that which I had experienced as a child.

Sadly, I was very mistaken.

On Tuesday morning, I awoke very early having had another dreadful night. I had total facial paralysis on the right hand side, with an obvious swelling along my jaw line, a fierce pain along the jaw and up to my ear, my eye did not close, my mouth drooped down visibly, it was so much worse than anything I'd experienced before.

I'm talking in the past tense, which is awfully precipitate, as the symptoms remain unchanged. I visited my parents and went to see their GP as my own could not provide an appointment for 3 weeks (or I could see the helpful locum sooner!). I was given predisone (60mg daily) and have to go back next Wednesday for a check up. I also have 'fake tears' to protect the eye and an eye patch (very fetching) to wear as required - I splint my eye closed with surgical tape to sleep.

I have been on-line searching for as much information as I can find. The constants I have noticed are B vitamin supplements, especially cobalamin sublinguals, and gentle facial massage. I was extremely impressed with the information on the National Neurological Society's site, which advised that facial massage should precede any facial exercises to ensure that further damage wasn't caused - they recommend that sufferers wait until there is some return of feeling / motion before attempting exercises - and this is my intention.
Medical care in the UK is somewhat different to the States, and we have what is referred to as 'a postcode lottery' - which means that where you live drastically affects the quality of care you receive. I think we can safely say that the region I am in still has some way to go. Awareness of chiropractic medicine is also much lower here, with few practitioners, and their services are not covered on the NHS, so it is a matter of personal circumstances whether they can be accessed at all.

I will certainly be in contact if any of the treatments I attempt provide any obvious improvement. The information is so conflicting and confusing that I have to admit to a certain fear of trying anything as the idea of this becoming worse, more long-lasting or that my recovery could be compromised truly terrifies me.
I seem to have waffled on for quite some time, but perhaps that's what I needed to do.

Sincerely, thank you for providing this site and for allowing me to vent.

Yours
Kate Oliver, England

E-mail: Brookoliv@aol.com

The response from maggie:

dear kate,

oh, my. what a tangle. i'm so sorry that you are suffering.
as i mentioned on the website, what i felt helped me most was the b-12 shots (thought i took b-12 sublingually as well. also the nervines—-pure lavender oil, not the kind you buy in shops(used externally wwith some pure almond oil, warmed slightly, for a relaxing massage) , scullcap, passion flower (internally, by the dropperful five or six time a day in a little water0, to soothe my whole system as well as the cranial nerves. my doctor wasn't very knowledgeable so like you, i researched (and then let him know what i wanted to do—he was open to this—i wouldn't have a doctor who wasn't).

some questions:

for a while, is there a way you could stay with someone who lives in an area which features practitioners you could see who are more aware of alternative treatments?
have you researched the facial paralysis and the joint pain as two symptoms of the same syndrome? (unfortunately, prednizone and other medications have their own side effects. researching those side effects might help you sort things out a bit.)

so challenging that when we're feeling the worst we often have to take charge of discovering and acquiring our own healing tools.

when i had bells, i forced myself to be around strangers, just a bit, for fear i'd want to hide out forever. this was so challenging to me. whenever possible i smile from my heart and there i was, feeling impotent. it's important that you can smile, even if physically this is impossible right now. both palms over the heart and then extended outward to the person you're "smiling" at is one way of expressing the heart's warmth.

forgive me if i'm imposing with all these suggestions. i wish you every blessing in your journey through bell's and think you are very brave. if i were the one (re)suffering bells, i would like to think i was doing the best i could but who knows how i'd react. 

blessings all around you,

maggie

Additional stories may be read on the Bell's palsy archives page.

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