Aa
Herpes cause Bell's Palsy?
A year ago I went to the beach and sunbathed and the next morning woke up with paralysis on the left side of my face. Started with my tongue left side with a mild burning feeling and numbness then couldn't blink my left eye or smile from left side..etc went to Ear NOSE and Throat Dr and he said I had Bell's Palsy which is caused by Herpes. Gave me antifungal, prednisone and herpes medicine (forget the name)..There was nor have never been sores on my lips or mouth...Within 15 days all my paralysis was gone...the only thing that remained and still does is the mild burning tongue which comes more than goes...since the Bell's Palsy I have developed Asthma, Allergies (atopic), Eosinophillic Esophagits, fatigue, aches and pains, flu like symptoms (chills, weak) whithout having the flu, left cheek on face sunken in, sore throats alot, ear popping, and I seem to feel these worse when my tongue "flares up"..I can taste with it and smell..just burns...I have had bloodwork at the time for Herpes and all came back negative..My question(s) are I didn't think a person could have Herpes on the inner back of tongue? Can swimming in ocean or sun cause 7th cranial nerve damage like Bell's Palsy? Trying to determine what are the causes of Bell's Palsy other than Herpes and or if it in itself is a symptom of something bigger?
Thanks
Thanks
See a sleep center. Recurrent "Bells Palsy," memory problems, insomnia symptoms, chronic pain, and twitchy feelings in muscles are actually very characteristic of narcolepsy with cataplexy. In fact, often times, it's not "Bells Palsy," but cataplexy. Viruses and some vaccines (namely the H1N1) can actually precipitate this, but it can happen seemingly in random fashion, too.
It doesn't look the way you think it looks. Common misdiagnoses are depression, epilepsy, and migraines. I struggled for years to find an answer, and was misdiagnosed several times. I had it with just sleepiness during the day and what looked like insomnia at night for probably about 15-20 years before I ended up with more serious symptoms of narcolepsy that actually included cataplexy (random muscle weakness that can either be isolated, or widespread). Onset is typically in teenage or early adult years but it can come later, and earlier, too.
The cataplexy manifested first in my face, as what looked like episodes of Bells Palsy that came and went when I was tired, stressed, or even when I was happy and smiling. But when I paid closer attention I realized I got weakness and twitching (not uncommon) in my other muscles sometimes too, though I chalked it up to clumsiness until I paid attention. I also had issues with my vision randomly and sleepiness.
I went undiagnosed for about 15-20 years, until I finally saw a sleep specialist and she nailed the diagnosis right away. The vast majority of doctors have absolutely no idea what it is or what it looks like, and no routine lab tests, MRI, CT scan, x-ray or anything of that nature will detect it. 75% of people with narcolepsy never get diagnosed in their lifetime.
I was tested for epilepsy, migraines, MS, all kinds of things. But nope, it turned out to be narcolepsy!!
Get seen by a sleep center!
It doesn't look the way you think it looks. Common misdiagnoses are depression, epilepsy, and migraines. I struggled for years to find an answer, and was misdiagnosed several times. I had it with just sleepiness during the day and what looked like insomnia at night for probably about 15-20 years before I ended up with more serious symptoms of narcolepsy that actually included cataplexy (random muscle weakness that can either be isolated, or widespread). Onset is typically in teenage or early adult years but it can come later, and earlier, too.
The cataplexy manifested first in my face, as what looked like episodes of Bells Palsy that came and went when I was tired, stressed, or even when I was happy and smiling. But when I paid closer attention I realized I got weakness and twitching (not uncommon) in my other muscles sometimes too, though I chalked it up to clumsiness until I paid attention. I also had issues with my vision randomly and sleepiness.
I went undiagnosed for about 15-20 years, until I finally saw a sleep specialist and she nailed the diagnosis right away. The vast majority of doctors have absolutely no idea what it is or what it looks like, and no routine lab tests, MRI, CT scan, x-ray or anything of that nature will detect it. 75% of people with narcolepsy never get diagnosed in their lifetime.
I was tested for epilepsy, migraines, MS, all kinds of things. But nope, it turned out to be narcolepsy!!
Get seen by a sleep center!
I have been a long time sufferer of multiple bells palsy bouts, on both sides of face. I have just recently started having the sores on my tongue and it seems to coincide with my ear hurting and then comes the loss of taste and then well its either the paralysis and/or so many steroids and viral medications and hyperbaric treatments and accupuncture treatments I slowly walk in to the poor house with all the medical treatments that seem to help me smile again but never force the problems to go away for good. I take so many different vitamins and try to keep my body as immune as I possibly can. Every doctor that I have seen, more than 15 specialists, shrug their shoulders and suggest nothing different. I am so sorry that you are having this issue as I don't wish this on my worst enemy even though it might help them understand my daily frustrations just a bit more. All I can tell anyone with this problem is to keep the immune system as strong as possible, stress as decreased as possible and stay healthy....Even all of that hasn't kept my paralysis at bay. Be thankful your paralysis went away and stayed away but keep the Lysine as a Daily NEVER FORGET routine.
just continue to follow up on this with the neurologist. Typically herpes medications don't show a lot of help for bells palsy symptoms if they are what is still giving you pain/issues.
there are other herpes antivirals besides valtrex if that is what you are asking?
grace
there are other herpes antivirals besides valtrex if that is what you are asking?
grace
If I don't/haven't seen any obvious cold sores or obvious anyhting with Hsv1 is there medication you can take other than Valtrex? As I believe there is a reactivation going on making me feel sick.
I went to neurologist and he did CAT SCAN and Nerve tests and all normal.
CJS
I went to neurologist and he did CAT SCAN and Nerve tests and all normal.
CJS
Hsv1 orally has been associated as a contributor/cause of bell's palsy. It's typically a reactivation of the virus. You might not see any obvious cold sores with it.
Even the best blood tests we have, still miss 10% of all hsv1 infections.
At this point continuing to follow up on this with a neurologist is the best course of action.
grace
Even the best blood tests we have, still miss 10% of all hsv1 infections.
At this point continuing to follow up on this with a neurologist is the best course of action.
grace
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
