This is the story of what happened to me when I experienced Bell’s palsy. It started with ear pain for two days that I thought was an ear infection, as approximately one week previously I had had an ear infection and was treated with antibiotics. I took painkillers, which took the edge off and got on with my day. On the third day the pain was not like it had been before and I took more painkillers. The pain eased that night and I went to bed. I woke up the next morning and when I went to take a bath I thought it strange that I couldn’t shut one of my eyes as well as other one. However, the rest of my face was working and I thought that perhaps I had slept on it awkwardly, so didn’t think much more of it.
I got myself ready to go about my daily business but in the car I felt like there was an electric shock all over my face. At first I couldn’t move, then after a minute I thought I had had a stroke and was completely scared. I went to the emergency doctors where they diagnosed Bell’s palsy. I had never heard of this condition and was completely unsure of what was happening to me. I was prescribed steroids and antiviral medication. I was told my condition was sometimes caused by a virus and that they were trying to cover every possibility. They gave me a factsheet about the condition. I asked if the effects were permanent and was told ‘usually not’, but they couldn’t be certain.
When I got home I couldn’t eat or drink properly. I felt isolated and scared. I have a daughter, she’s only seven, and she kept asking “mummy you going be ok?” It broke my heart deep down but I said “yes darling” as I didn’t want to scare her. However, the truth was, I honestly didn’t know. I was scared. I couldn’t pick my daughter up from school which upset me the most. After three days my eye still wouldn’t close and was getting dry and irritated. I wore an eye patch and kept taking the pills hoping by day fourteen the medication would work and that I’d be ok.
Day fourteen was the last day of medication and with no improvement it really sunk in that I may have to live like this from now on. I started looking on the internet at other people’s stories, which gave me some hope and comfort. I wasn’t alone, other people were going through this. With no further medication I searched nutrition as a way to increase the body’s immunity and started taken vitamin B12 and iron tablets. I also came out in a rash, probably caused by the steroids, which was uncomfortable and terribly itchy for a week or so.
Then I started with a slight improvement. Day-by-day my smile came back. After nearly four weeks my eye was still weak but had started closing again. I still had limited movement of my face at this stage. I was glad I had got my smile back but I kept thinking I needed to close my eye properly. After another three weeks my eye started shutting properly but I still had some slight delay in blinking and some weaknesses. It took another two weeks for my eye to become fully operational. It was around two and a half months before I could move my face properly and three months to get all face movements completely back. I still suffer twitches eight months on and weird side head pressure now and again.
My experience was the most frightening thing I have ever gone through. I will never be the same again after this episode and constantly live in fear it could happen again. Nobody who has not been through it could possibly understand what it was like but remember, there is always hope. Stay strong! That’s my story.
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.