Fran has had Bell’s palsy for 16 years, here she shares her story.
I went to the gym one evening and felt an awful pain behind my right ear. The next morning I went to work but gradually throughout the day I lost movement in my face. This started with my bottom lip and worked its way right up to my forehead.
I went to the doctors for an emergency appointment and was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy and given steroids to take for two weeks. I remember going home and my sister saying to me I wouldn’t go out of the house if my face looked like that – good job I didn’t take her advice!
In the year following my Bell’s palsy I had a car accident that caused a whiplash injury and I lost my dad to cancer. Specialists have told me that this stress could be the reason my face never recovered.
Many years later I realised how much my mental health had been affected by my Bell’s palsy. I have tried to carry on with life as normal but got to the point where I started to understand what I had lost when I lost my smile. I lost part of my identity and it caused the anxiety I felt in social situations.
Along with the mental health element there have been issues physically. When I get a cold my eye waters constantly, my eye sometimes waters when I eat, occasionally I will spit drink out where my mouth doesn’t work properly. Also applying make up to my eye and lips is difficult. Then there’s the questions – even medical professionals will ask if I’m having a stroke! I’ve learnt now to tell them I have Bell’s palsy the minute I walk in the room.
When my daughter learnt to smile, she would smile at me only using half of her face. It was only when my husband pointed it out I realised she was mimicking my smile, as she smiled at everyone else with a full smile. This was very sweet, but also a bit sad at the same time.
I have been back and forward to medical professionals to try to get help, but no-one will do anything. The issue I am now facing is one side of my face is aging and the other isn’t!
Disclaimer: Please note that views expressed are person’s own and should not be considered a recommendation of particular medical treatments, therapies or surgeries. We would always advise you seek advice from a health professional with experience in facial palsy who can assess your individual needs.