Help!! I Woke up Paralyzed !!

[reebokandlace]

So I have had a horrible sinus infection all weekend. I thought I was going to die sat and sun night. I saw my doctor on Sunday (nice guy, made a house call on a sunday afternoon, I know it is a rariety)....gave me antibiotics..told me I would live...

....I woke up yesterday and the right side of my face was paralyzed. Couldn't move it at all. I thought holy f*ck I am having a stroke!!! Turns out it is Bell's Palsy....

The doctor put me on prednizone for the Bell's Palsy. But I won't take it. (I am taking the antibiotics for the sinus infection though) The side effects of the drug are far more dangerous than not taking it and it is not 100% proven to really work on Bell's Palsy. Not that I am a tree hugger, but I do not take prescriptions unless my health/life depends on it. From the online research I have done I guess the Palsy only lasts a few days. I am on day two and I am able to get some movement going.

Has anyone ever had this?

Did your doctor put you on medication?

How long did it take before you could smile again without looking like a you have had a stroke?

[JazmenFlowers]

Originally Posted by reebokandlace

So I have had a horrible sinus infection all weekend. I thought I was going to die sat and sun night. I saw my doctor on Sunday (nice guy, made a house call on a sunday afternoon, I know it is a rariety)....gave me antibiotics..told me I would live...

....I woke up yesterday and the right side of my face was paralyzed. Couldn't move it at all. I thought holy f*ck I am having a stroke!!! Turns out it is Bell's Palsy....

The doctor put me on prednizone for the Bell's Palsy. But I won't take it. (I am taking the antibiotics for the sinus infection though) The side effects of the drug are far more dangerous than not taking it and it is not 100% proven to really work on Bell's Palsy. Not that I am a tree hugger, but I do not take prescriptions unless my health/life depends on it. From the online research I have done I guess the Palsy only lasts a few days. I am on day two and I am able to get some movement going.

Has anyone ever had this?

Did your doctor put you on medication?

How long did it take before you could smile again without looking like a you have had a stroke?

I only know one other person who has this and he/she is an entertainer and lives a very normal life with this. I know little else about it. Hope all goes well with you.

[dissention]

How weird. My hair stylist Hilda has Bell's Palsy. She woke up last February with it after having a sinus infection and her doctor put her on antibiotics and steroids, but they didn't do much for her. She still looks like she's had a stroke, unfortunately.

Here's some info on it:

http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/topics/bells.cfm

[reebokandlace]

Are you sure you are not thinking of cerebral palsy??


This is bell's palsy ---lol----- it only lasts 3-10 days---it is a result of either blunt trauma or infection of a facial nerve

[JazmenFlowers]

Originally Posted by reebokandlace

Are you sure you are not thinking of cerebral palsy??


This is bell's palsy ---lol----- it only lasts 3-10 days---it is a result of either blunt trauma or infection of a facial nerve

really? I was under the impression that Bells' Palsy doesn't just go away. I could be way wrong tho.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

really? I was under the impression that Bells' Palsy doesn't just go away. I could be way wrong tho.

It didn't for my friend. She's had it for almost a year now, though it's not as bad as it once was.

[reebokandlace]

Maybe it depends on how it developed. Blunt trauma damage could last a while I imagine.

Yesterday my right side of my face was totally paralyzed. Today I can smile, a little quirky looking, but better. The swelling is gone and I am doing my exercises to work the nerves and muscles. I have feeling today in my face. I am hoping by tomorrow I am mostly back to normal.

[BTFLCHLD]

Originally Posted by reebokandlace

Maybe it depends on how it developed. Blunt trauma damage could last a while I imagine.

Yesterday my right side of my face was totally paralyzed. Today I can smile, a little quirky looking, but better. The swelling is gone and I am doing my exercises to work the nerves and muscles. I have feeling today in my face. I am hoping by tomorrow I am mostly back to normal.

im worried about you!
what are the side-effects of the meds
you dont want to take?

[chiliD]

A friend of mine had it...lasted nearly 6 months and never did FULLY recover from it. Still has problems with one side.

Do not fear Prednizone. It kept ME alive.

[DavidMn]

I'm sorry to hear this. Hope this doesnt last too long.

[reebokandlace]

Originally Posted by BTFLCHLD

im worried about you!
what are the side-effects of the meds
you dont want to take?

Thanks for worrying. I needed someone to care.



The list of side effects:


· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); coma or death.
· increased blood pressure (severe headache or blurred vision); or
· sudden weight gain (more than 5 pounds in a day or two).
· insomnia;
· nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset;
· fatigue or dizziness;
· muscle weakness or joint pain;
· problems with diabetes control; or
· increased hunger or thirst.
· acne,
· increased hair growth,
· thinning of the skin,
· cataracts,
· glaucoma,
· osteoporosis,
· roundness of the face, and
· changes in mood/behavior.


I think the coma / death one scares me the most. But the hair growth one bothers me too. I do not want to grow a mustache. Usually if the effects are more than: · nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset; I question taking the drug. It is like those commercials I see on tv for drugs, and you hear the list of possible side effects, I always think to myself, "jeesh, the side effects are worse than the problem you are trying to treat"

[BTFLCHLD]

Originally Posted by reebokandlace

Thanks for worrying. I needed someone to care.



The list of side effects:


· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); coma or death.
· increased blood pressure (severe headache or blurred vision); or
· sudden weight gain (more than 5 pounds in a day or two).
· insomnia;
· nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset;
· fatigue or dizziness;
· muscle weakness or joint pain;
· problems with diabetes control; or
· increased hunger or thirst.
· acne,
· increased hair growth,
· thinning of the skin,
· cataracts,
· glaucoma,
· osteoporosis,
· roundness of the face, and
· changes in mood/behavior.


I think the coma / death one scares me the most. But the hair growth one bothers me too. I do not want to grow a mustache. Usually if the effects are more than: · nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset; I question taking the drug. It is like those commercials I see on tv for drugs, and you hear the list of possible side effects, I always think to myself, "jeesh, the side effects are worse than the problem you are trying to treat"

wouldnt you only be taking until the bells disappears?
i dont know...the majority are generals as with any drug
i say follow doctor's orders...else?

[ragandbone]

Originally Posted by reebokandlace

So I have had a horrible sinus infection all weekend. I thought I was going to die sat and sun night. I saw my doctor on Sunday (nice guy, made a house call on a sunday afternoon, I know it is a rariety)....gave me antibiotics..told me I would live...

....I woke up yesterday and the right side of my face was paralyzed. Couldn't move it at all. I thought holy f*ck I am having a stroke!!! Turns out it is Bell's Palsy....

The doctor put me on prednizone for the Bell's Palsy. But I won't take it. (I am taking the antibiotics for the sinus infection though) The side effects of the drug are far more dangerous than not taking it and it is not 100% proven to really work on Bell's Palsy. Not that I am a tree hugger, but I do not take prescriptions unless my health/life depends on it. From the online research I have done I guess the Palsy only lasts a few days. I am on day two and I am able to get some movement going.

Has anyone ever had this?

Did your doctor put you on medication?

How long did it take before you could smile again without looking like a you have had a stroke?

How scary! I wish I knew more, and could help. I think it is good that you are questioning the Prednizone (isn't that a steriod?) but perhaps you should see a second doctor, if it doesn't get beter. I have heard they also prescribe anti-virals for Bell's palsy.
I googled to see if Acupunturists treat this condition.
http://www.acupuncture.com/newslette...ly05/main2.htm

[Raeven Skye]

I'm sorry to hear about your illness!! I have a close friend who recently had Belle's Palsy. I'll find out if she was on Prednisone for it. My cousin had it eons ago, and had a helluva time getting over it

[mcboo]

I can certainly understand why you wouldn't want to take that medication. Sometimes it does seem as though the side effects are worse than the original problem, I don't get that . I remember watching this ad for some medication and one of the side effects was "oily discharge"....what the hell is that?