Bell’s Palsy

What happened to my smile?!?

A month ago, I came inside after doing a couple of hours of weeding and found my right eye was sore and itchy and my lip seemed swollen.

I assumed I was having an allergic reaction.

I chilled out and watched a movie–a nice tear-jerker, which actually made my eye feel better.

I snacked on blueberries, which were strangely lacking in flavor.

By late afternoon my husband put me in the car and took me to the ER, because my face looked like this:

When you look like you’re having a stroke, you get priority treatment at the ER, and it was not long at all before we were seeing a doctor, who deftly determined that this was NOT a stroke, but Bell’s Palsy.

Blinking and smiling are two things that I definitely have taken for granted my entire life, up until the time they disappeared on me.

Not being able to close your eye is one of the more serious complications of Bell’s Palsy, because it can easily lead to scratching of the cornea. Lots of experimentation with eye drops, eye gels, taping.

I’ve settled on a basic pirate patch.

I use a thick gel, then cover the eye with Glad Press’N Seal, then use the patch to secure that liner. Day and night. My eye isn’t really closed, but it’s sealed, and it remains moist.

Other helpful things are straws–even for coffee–because otherwise I dribble.

What caused this?

The cause of Bell’s palsy is not known. It is thought that it may be due to inflammation that is directed by the body’s immune system against the nerve controlling movement of the face.

The leading theory is that the shingles virus is involved. Some people have gotten BP several times!

What cures this?

Currently, there is no known cure for Bell’s palsy; however, recovery usually begins 2 weeks to 6 months from the onset of the symptoms. Most people with Bell’s palsy recover full facial strength and expression.

Quick recoveries are NOT common, according to my new friends on this Facebook group. More like months and months, sometimes years, sometimes never.

Besides my fellow sufferers, I have other circles of support…family, friends, church

God is good, ALL THE TIME.

All the time, GOD IS GOOD.

Using only one eye has its challenges–depth perception, in particular–plus a blind side. Loren’s been my primary driver this month.

Instead of the pirate patch, I’m going to try this product–a clear moisture chamber. This could allow me to still use the eye, while keeping it moist.

So I can use my BINOCULARS again!

We’re giving it a try tomorrow…road trip!

I’ll let you know how it goes.