r/BellsPalsy

I was diagnosed January 1 so 5 months ago. I was able to smile normally ish around 3 months then able to blink around 4 months in.

I’m feeling better except now synkinesis is setting in. But I feel like it’s getting worse every week that passes. Is that normal? Like I started feeling a tightness about a month ago. It only was a tightness in my cheek area near my nasolabial fold and only when I blinked. But my eye was never closing. But now when I eat or do anything my eye is starting to squint just recently??!

Wondered if it slowly got worse for anyone else?

Hi everyone -

I’m looking for recommendations for genuinely healing-focused wellness resorts or retreats in the U.S.

I’m currently recovering from Bell’s palsy and while I’m working with doctors/PT, I’m also really interested in places that focus on things like:

- nervous system regulation/reset

- inflammation reduction

- acupuncture

- massage / myofascial release

- craniosacral therapy

- holistic healing

- functional/integrative medicine

I’m not looking for a party spa or influencer-type wellness trip. I’m looking for somewhere that actually feels restorative and healing - ideally with medical/wellness professionals on site or a strong therapeutic focus.

Bonus points if anyone has experience going somewhere during recovery from Bell’s palsy, chronic stress, burnout, nervous system dysregulation, etc.

So far I’ve looked at places like Canyon Ranch, Miraval, Sensei, and some integrative health resorts, but I’d love honest feedback and recommendations.

Would especially love to know:

- where you went

- what treatments helped most

- whether it felt truly healing vs just luxurious

- whether it was worth the money

Thank you ❤️

Hello everyone

I joined your ranks of being diagnosed last Friday night with Bell's Palsy.

What started on the Friday before with me thinking I was getting a cold, progressed to severe neck pain that intensified behind the ear and jaw. I was not familiar with this condition, so there was no connection for me to consider it.

Last Thursday night, I started getting a numb jaw, and by Friday night, I had full right side facial paralysis. My sister kindly took me to the local ED, where I was seen by about 5 or 6 doctors who all confirmed BP. I was prescribed Prednisone & anti-virals.

The Prednisone worked very well, and I was amazed by how much I improved in those 5 days.

That said, I'm now 2 days post cessation of the steroids, and I'm feeling the original pain come back. Certainly not to the same degree as it was last week but definitely noticeable.

My question to you fine folk is - what is normal in the recovery process? I almost have my smile back. My eyebrow isn't so good. I can definitely feel the weakness in my right cheek, eye area and some in my lips. Forming any sort of suction with my lips is impossible. Eating anything too chewy or solid has me looking like Slimer from Ghostbusters.

Can it kick off again after the initial treatment? What are the recommendations for facial muscle rehab? I currently can't get back to my GP as the clutch went in my car after the night in emergency (of course, lol!!). So, I haven't been able to touch in there and get his thoughts.

Any of your thoughts and suggesting would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read this!!

I’ve recently been diagnosed with Bells Palsy, however the series of events leading up to it weren’t typical and maybe someone out there can relate or have had a similar experience?

For context, these past couple of years I’ve become more understanding of the importance of my oral health. Ive been going to regular dental visits, and at my most recent dentist appointment I’ve been made aware that one of my teeth that has been previously filled is in need of a root canal. I joined a waitlist, and continued with my life until i hear back from them. Meanwhile i came across the benefits of cloves for your oral health and thought “Why not?” I began having one clove a night, taking my sweet time to chew it and eventually swallowing it. I did this two nights in a row (7/5 8/5). The third night however (9/5), i was especially mindless, scrolling on my phone with it in my mouth completely forgetting about it altogether. That night the clove sat on the left side of my tongue (directly next to the tooth that needs a root canal) for at least 45minutes. When i remembered it i finished it and swallowed it. The next night(10/9) i completely forgot about the cloves. The next day (11/5) is when it got interesting. The EXACT spot on my mouth where the clove was became numb. Numb and fuzzy, the way it feels when you go to a dentist and they numb a nearby tooth. Throughout the day the fuzzy feeling has spread to the entire left side of my tongue, but still more so in the starting spot. By night time my left jaw and ear was sore and tender. The next day(12/5) was the same, half my tongue, ear, jaw. (13/5)The next day i woke up to the entire left side of my face unable to move, my left nostril runny, my left eye uncontrollably watering. I went to the doctors as soon as i could first thing the next morning and got diagnosed with Bells Palsy(14/5).

I didn’t have any sickness/viral infection leading up to my situation. I wasn’t stressed out either. The ONLY thing that happened (mind you 48hrs earlier approximately which is when Bells Palsy shows up 48hrs after the trigger) was the clove in that spot.

The placement of the clove right beside the damaged nerves of my tooth could very likely be a factor. We already know that cloves have a naturally numbing effect. So i believe that somehow the numbing nerves effect of the clove, (perhaps amplified by the damaged tooth,) triggered the numbing of the entirety of that side (Bells Palsy). I know it sounds strange “A clove triggered Bells Palsy” and theres no for me to prove it, but there is no way that it coincidently with no other triggers began on the EXACT spot of my tongue that just so happens to be directly against already damaged nerves.

Prolonged clove/eugenol exposure irritated already inflamed oral tissues, near a tooth requiring root canal treatment (possible chronic infection/inflammation), which may have triggered a localized inflammatory or immune response, potentially affecting nearby cranial nerve pathways, or reactivating a dormant virus in the facial nerve region.

Let me know what you think?

I’m looking for whichever is the next step down from that Systane night time Vaseline-like ointment.

I don’t care if my eye is totally greasy and blurry. In fact, I’d prefer it. It’s so dry it hurts 24/7 and none of the drops I wasted money on are soothing and thick enough. They feel great for a couple minutes then dry up. Help.

I’m seven days into my BP journey and had acupuncture two days ago. I noticed the night I had it done that my pain behind my ear was worse. Today it was all day long and very painful. I’m 37 weeks pregnant and limited as to what type of pain relievers I can take.

I found an incredible Doctor in Danbury, Connecticut. Dr. Katherine Zamecki who is an ophthalmologist facial reconstruction surgeon. She also does Botox and has a lot of experience treating patients with Bells Palsy.

My right eye was becoming smaller whenever I smiled or made some movements with my face and it kept getting worse. With some small units of Botox, it has improved like 70-80%. I know plan to see her every 3 months.

I highly recommend you check out a doctor in your area that has experience with Bell’s Palsy!

Hello! I was diagnosed yesterday with BP as I immediately went to the ER after noticing all the symptoms. Good thing that I am not unfamiliar with BP because I remember this thing happened to a friend. I was prescribed with prednisone for 10 days but with no antiviral. Should I get a second opinion as I read here a lot about treating bp with antivirals. When should I also start doing physiotherapy like massages and electrification? Thanks.

I recently came across this thread and i’ve been seeing people trying numerous things to help bring back movement to their face. I have many questions how to get through this journey and make the best of it.

Firstly. How did you keep your eye closed when going to bed? As mine keeps opening underneath the tape and gauze pad.

Secondly. Does messaging your face improve the chances of regaining your facial muscles?

Thirdly. Are there tips to eating? Should i have targeted diet to help increase my chances of getting better? I am currently cutting sugar intake.

Fourthly. How do or did you get past through a long drive? I have a long stretch drive planned months ago. Splitting a 16-18+ hour drive over 2 days on the way to my vacation and driving back same thing.

Any ideas or answers would be greatly appreciated as my curiosities are getting the best of me.

5 months in and I have finally regained the ability to keep the affected eye shut while the unaffected eye is open (with a bit of concentration).

For anybody also on a mid-long term journey; I didn't have any change for almost a full two months. Started daily massages and exercises. Sprinkled in acupuncture when I could afford it. All that to say; don't give up hope if you have seen minimal change or no change at all.

My eye is probably at like 70-80% ish

And my mouth is probably similar, if not slightly better. My upper lip still doesn't work on the affected side.

Isn't it funny what mundane skills we took for granted? One day I may be able to wink again 🤣

Woke up with Bells Palsy about 1 week ago. I’ve been getting acupuncture 3x per week now and she did brief cupping today.
I’ve gotten a massage and will continue to weekly. Been limiting stressors. I’ve been taking supplements. I have a throbbing headache. Anything else I can do? Feeling really discouraged by face looks like this.

It’s nearly been 2 weeks since i was diagnosed and i am thankful to say that the pain on the affected side of my face and ear is nearly gone.

The only thing im kind of worried about is movement. There’s no difference in how i can move my fav or not. When did the movement return for you guys and how did you help it??

Hey,

I'm an NHS doctor and researcher based at Imperial College London. I'm currently completing a master's project on Bell's Palsy, looking into ways design engineering may be able to help with facial palsy, especially in assessment and rehabilitation.

I'd love to hear more about your personal experiences (struggles and ways in which current management is lacking, especially in the NHS) and get feedback on the project so far.

Please comment here or DM me and I'll get in touch with more details - thank you!

I was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy a few days ago after waking to the left side of my face completely paralyzed. I’m 36 weeks pregnant and hear it’s more common in late pregnancy. Has anyone experienced this? What was the recovery like?

I have a very fresh BP - it's literally like, day 3 for me? And I just, really want to talk with someone going thru the same thing. So please, talk to me in the comments or DM me!!

I notice small changes, some improvents, even, but also I'm yet to wrap my head around all the ways it will affect me. I try to be lighthearted about it, like for example I'm gonna think about how to style protection glasses my friend will borrow me, or eye patches, or whatever is that I'll end up using the most. What are pros and cons, even?? Cuz Ive already figured that I'm now at war with *the wind* of all things.

A big thing for me is how people will react and I'm honestly not sure how to go about it. I can walk around in public fine, as long as I don't speak - I've been gifted with the resting bitch face and luckily that deafult expression is perfectly symmetrical in my case. But like, still.

Hey guys - short context, got bp after a double jaw surgery to address breathing issues. Wanted to document my severe bell’s palsy journey with you guys.

Upon onset, i got treatment late, as my doctors believed that the blinking issues / paralysis were caused by the immense swelling after the surgery. Onset started 12 april but i was only given steroids and antiviral meds on 16th April, i was told i was given steroids on april 10th and 11th, even before the bell’s palsy started as it was given for anti inflammation post jaw surgery, but prescription only given on 16th april.

Day 1-14, i believe my face did not improve at all, but towards day 14-20 onwards, everyday my face would get very slightly facial improvements, like a small twitch in the corner of my cheek, slightly better kissy face, slightly better smile, but no drastic full recovery within 3-4 weeks kind of recovery.

On day 36, im still having very small improvements, recently (around day 31) I was able to move my eyebrow again but not much. Im just glad i gained the ability to feel it again and move it even slightly, and ive noticed the most biggest difference u can notice daily is probably the blinking getting slightly better daily.. the rest are very little and grow at such a slow rate for me that its not noticable much unless u compare it every few days or a week.

However, i have been trying to gain motor control no matter how fine on my midface (under my eyes and nostril), but so far, i feel a very tiny tiny movement on my right nostril hole, thats about it.

Im praying for a quick recovery as im supposed to be enlisted in the military in a short couple months. I hope that i get to recover a significant / full amount before july.

Does anyone else have any input or want to share their story?

I had this belspalsy back when I was 14 and now I am turning 18. There is no school year without bullies and highschool years did not end well. I have trouble of fitting in into society and shapes my identity to be intorvert. I feel like I am not who I am meant to be, and It breaks my heart.

I feel pressured in life whenever I see teenagers becoming the pure best version of themselves, especially when I feel the speed of their natural growth, for me It is a success. The only thing that ever changed in me is my body and height.

I have low self esteem, good thing I can still manage to be on top although behind these academic excellence there's this me who have encountered almost losing myself out of stress and depression, for once I losed myself at age of 15, the Doctor said that I am not able to reach highchool or even college anymore, but how lucky I am writing this right now. Sometimes I am wondering how does it feel to be truly happy. I am grateful of the life that I have right now, but to be honest life feels dry often I am always anxious. What I fear right now is the college field.

I would greatly appreciate for the possible comments.