Got My First Ambulance Ride Tuesday .

[Bob_Roller]

I was a work Tuesday and the right side of my face started feeling ' odd ', had a hard time eating lunch, after lunch I could barely talk, the right side of my face was paralyzed .
Supervisor called for paramedics and an ambulance, they took me to the local hospital .
Started doing tests for a stroke, it was obvious to the doctor that other than my face, I had no other issues that are usually associated with a stroke .
CAT scan revealed no bleeding on the brain .
Their conclusion, Bell's Palsy, an inflammation of the nerves of the face .
It usually occurs in association with flu, cold or an infection .
I had a nasty ear infection over the weekend .
Unknown how long this will last, could be a few weeks or months, impossible to say until it goes away on it's own, no medication seems to help it along .
I have to use a straw to drink, otherwise I just make a mess !!!
Hope I don't have any more excitement this week, I like boring !!!!!!

[Tony Smith]

Sorry to hear that Bob.

The good news is that it usually goes away completely, I had the left side of my face do that as a result of reaction to a sting by an unknown insect. It was about 6 weeks before it all started working properly again.

Quick question, can you fully close your eye? If not watch out for it drying out, you may not feel it complaining at present. 1lt of distilled water with a teaspoon of salt in it makes a good soothing eye wash. I also had really annoying "pins and needled" after a while too, I found that a good fluffy towel with a cup or so of water poured on it and then microwaved for a couple of minutes to make it hot, then lay face first on it, to be a bit helpful with the pins-n-needles.

All the best for a quick recovery.

[Bob_Roller]

I can't fully close my right eye, I need to tape my eye shut at night after putting eye lubricant gel from a small tube on it .

Some what luckily, my right eye over produces  excess tears and runs   down my cheek frequently, so my eye doesn't dry out .

But the first shower with this, I didn't realize how far open my eyelid was, so the towel irritated the eye quite a bit .

[montmil]

Good Lord, Bob!

Bell's Palsy will go away on its own but the time varies from each individual. Pray you are a 'short timer'.

Monte

[nhmaf]

Wow!  
I am sorry to hear of the palsy affliction, and hope that you fully recovery quickly.   Still - better outcome than having suffered a stroke!    Count your blessings!

Mike

[marcmax]

Bob, I had exactly the same thing happen to me about  1.5 years ago. I was on my way to the hospital thinking I had a stroke and called my Dr. She did the twenty questions routine and said it sounded like Bells Palsy. I met her at her office and it was. She said it is usually caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox in children and shingles in older folks. The virus never leaves your body. She had me taking an antiviral medication and prednisone to reduce the inflammation and swelling of the facial nerve. The nerve exits a small hole in the skull behind your ear and when it gets inflamed and swollen it cuts off its function.

Mine was a week before Thanskgiving and I had to go to a family gathering talking out of the side of my mouth like a pirate. I figured what the hell and wore an eye patch and pinned a stuffed parrot to my shoulder. Got to laugh at what life throws at you.

With the meds my Dr had me on I started getting feeling back within about 3 weeks and by 2 months I was pretty well back to normal. The affected eye still does not close as fast as the other. No one notices but I can tell. I just keep a bottle of eye drops handy and if it ever starts to feel a little scratchy I just put in a few drops.

[Ed Miller]

That must have been scary.  I hope it goes away quickly.

[Bob_Roller]

This condition is improving, a lot better than it was a week ago .

Also, I did a bit of searching online about this and what I found out, is that the virus that causes chicken pox and shingles is responsible for this as well .

Getting a shingles vaccination along with one for pneumonia .

Two co-workers have gotten pneumonia in the last 2 months, one may not be coming back to work, it hit her so hard .

[Justin B.]

I'm glad things are starting to improve a bit, Bob.  

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Wishing you a speedy recovery, Bob.  Sounds like you have a good handle on it.  I need to look into the shingles vaccine myself.

[suecanada]

I am way too late with my wishes Bob for a full and quick recovery! I haven't been on here for a bit so shame on me!! I am so thankful it wasn't a stroke too.

[Julio A.]

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you get well soon.

My sister had Bell's Palsy last year, but she started to regain feeling and was able to move half her face after three months. And like what the others already said, always keep a bottle of eye drops handy.