More health issues ~ Bells Palsy

Boy did this come on suddenly. I was getting ready for work on Oct 22nd, monday morning. I thought my vision looked kind of weird, but didn't think much else. Then while driving to work, the left side of my face felt kind of weird. I looked in my rear view mirror and noticed my smile to be kind of crooked, or was it just a weird angle. I couldn't tell, so as soon as I got to work I went to talk to Sandi. First thing she asked was "what's wrong with your mouth?". Turns out the left side of my face has Bells Palsy. I don't have actual numbness or tingling, it just doesn't work. I can't smile on that side, and my left eye doesn't blink and I can't raise my eyebrows on that side. Yesterday, I began to have severe pain behind my left ear and the entire side of my face. Luckily my doctor was able to give some tramadol, which seems to have worked well (without my usual nausea/vomiting of narcotics). This bells palsy crap is very very concerning and frustrating and embarrassing to me. People look at me funny and I talk kind of funny. I never thought I was vain in the past, but I guess I must have some, because I don't like how I look and don't want anyone seeing me.

This is a pic of myself trying to smile.

This is a pic of myself trying to raise my eyebrows. Nice huh? Well, I have alot of friends and family praying for me. I pray as well. I'm told by so many people that they had bells palsy, or someone they know has bells palsy and it sounds like most people go back to normal. My neurologist said about 80% go back to normal with minimal residual symptoms. Luckily my recent MRI I had after this came on, came out stable. NO new lesions, and no enhancing lesion shown. I had a chest xray and test for lymes disease and an angiotensin converting enzyme done and all came out ok. That is good news in terms of MS, so it means this is not MS-related as which was initially thought. So in terms of that, we are still sitting and waiting. I just pray the waiting is over for bells palsy, because this really sucks!!! Thanks for listening.

Most of my updates can be found at my homepage: http://www.facebook.com/ChristieAnn67

And my video updates at: http://www.youtube.com/ChristieStPeter

And my pinterest at: http://www.pinterest.com/ChristieAnn67


Have a GREAT day, and God Bless!!!