Bell's Palsy as a pre-dx symptom?

It's always been my right side that bothers me, twitching, tingling, hand/neck/shoulder cramps. Although I have had tingling and twitching on my left side the main concentration has always been on the right. Today the whole right side of my body feels like it's going numb. It's creepy!

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has had Bell's Palsy as a symptom prior to their diagnosis? I had it about 9 years ago when I was pregnant with my youngest. They said it was because of the pregnancy. It lasted about a month, and lately it has often felt like it might happen again. Thank goodness it hasn't yet!

Thanks for your thoughts!
Heather

[CareBayer]

I've also had Bell's Palsy over 10 years ago. When I mentioned it to my PCP and Neurologist they dont think it has any anything to do with my current symptoms. I think it does but I dont have any proof of it. Many of symptoms are global throughout my body with the exception the intentional tremors, jumpy eyes and pins and needles. They are a happening on my left side which was the side affected by the Bell's Palsy.

[wadeheather]

Very interesting!  Maybe I'll ask the question on the neurology board too.  Maybe someone will know a connection?
I'm so glad you answered!

[Quixotic1]

I'll try to cvomment on this tomorrow.

Quix

[Mand125]

Hi there Heather

I did find this

"In Multiple Sclerosis, Bell's palsy-like symptoms are usually caused by a lesion in this area."

I guess they are saying is that what seems like Bell's palsy in some MS patients is actually not Bell's palsy but a symptom caused by a lesion.

I'm sure Quix will give a much better explanation.

Mand

[steph74]

My understanding is that true Bell's Palsy is caused by a peripheral nerve problem.  But the root of the cranial nerve (is it VII?) is in the brain, and therefore a lesion in this region (maybe the pons?) could cause a CNS version of Bell's Palsy.

A close friend of mine has had Bell's Palsy 3 times in 10 years.  The doctors can find no obvious cause for her repeated Bell's Palsy, but she has permanent nerv damage on her face.

[steph74]

I should add, I think this is similar to trigeminal neuralgia.  TN can be a stand-alone problem, caused by compression on the peripheral nerve, but it can also be a sx of MS.  For instance, I have bilateral TN (started at 34, I'm now 35) and the neurosurgeon said the chances of having bilateral TN caused by anything other than MS, at my age, were exceedingly slim.

TN is caused by problems with the CN-V, and I'm also having some very slight problems with CN-VII (muscle "twitches"/fascillitations on my left cheek).  I wonder if the nerve roots are close together, and that could be why you're having pain with the Bell's Palsy (since my understanding is that CN-VII is only motor fcn, while CN-V is primarly sensory).

Quix probably has a better explanation.  Hopefully this helps in the meantime.

[wadeheather]

I do not currently have Bell's, but I had it about nine years ago, long before any of this other stuff started. Sometimes the tingling in my face, however scares me because it felt like when I got Bell's. It was not painful for me, just humiliating.  And since I was VERY pregnant at the time I really felt like everyone was pointing and laughing.

[Quixotic1]

Well, first we need a little neuroanatomy lesson.

The cranial nerves seem like they should be peripheral nerves, because they show up out in the body, but in actuality all twelve cranial nerves are part of the central nervous system.  Steph is right.  They arise either from the brain itself or direct from the brain stem.  So all of the cranial nerves can be affected by MS.

Bell's Palsy is a problem with the Facial Nerve which is the 7th Cranial Nerve (CN VII).  This nerves main function is to drive the "muscles" of facial expression.  It is mainly a motor nerve.  When there is a Bell's Palsy on one side, that side of the face droops and sags and can't show expressions (similar to what a stroke looks like).  In general, it does not tingle or get numb, because those are effects from a problem with "sensory" (feeling) nerves.  The facial numbness and tingling is almost always a problem with the Trigeminal Nerve (CN V).  

The Trigeminal Nerve does not always cause Trigeminal Neuralgia when it is affected.  Sometimes it just causes decreased sensation.  And in people who have had TN, they are often left with decreased sensation after the TN resolves.  

Facial numbness is a common sign in MS.

Bell's Palsy is also common in MS, but is also very common in the healthy population so it does not point specifically to MS.  It can occur with viral infections, trauma to the TMJ, dental procedures and be idiopathic (the idiots don't know the pathology).

I have heard many doctors mix up Bell's Palsy with what is actually a problem of the Trigeminal Nerve, so the confusion is common.

Quix

[wadeheather]

Great lesson.  I have to wonder, then, if it was Bell's Palsy back then, because I distinctly remember the numbness and tingling in the first couple of days.  My face did droop and I could only give half a smile. Now it just twitches and gets a little tingly, but no drooping yet!

[truelove47]

Thank you for the information. I often wonder when my ms started

I never even thought or worried about having any health issues at all

I came up with a logical reason for all the goofy symptoms I had at one time or another because they were so weird.

I called myseof so many names and thought i was being a baby or drama queen.

Boy, was I wrong, so thank you for your teaching lessons, they are sure helping me

[wadeheather]

me too.  One of LuLu's posts (and a little rum) made me really want to fight for not being crazy.  I'm tired of it.  There's got to be some help out there. either we are all crazy or we are not.  I vote for not.....BE YOUR OWN HELP ADVOCATE! and help others have the courage to do the same!

[LendaRobertson]

I think I need some help understanding so I know what to look for and what to talk to my doctor about. Here's the problems.

* I have been divorced from my husband for 11 yrs. From that marriage I have three children 18 male, 15 male, 13 female. We were married for 11 yrs. But I do not know his family history because we did not visit his family.

* One week ago I found out he has MS I asked what kind and was told just MS. He has never had anything to do with my children so we know history for him and he is not forth coming in giving us one. All I know is what I am told by his sister. (he is bad off, he has had a couple of surgeries and has lots more bad days then good. He has days that he can not walk at all.) I do not know if this matters but he is a 43 yrs old black male and lives in the Joliet, Il area.

* Here is what I need to know, my daughter age 13 had Bells Palsy at age 11 she had the surgery where they cut open her head and moved the brain so the could take the nerve out of the casing. We did test daily to check the nerve where they put needles in her face to see if she could fill them. Out come of the surgery is she has use of her eye and can feel her face again. But her mouth did not come back. Now she tells me that she can feel tingling in her face. (I must say I thought it might be the nevre starting to work but after a night of reading I might be wrong Lord I pray I am not) One more problem she complains of pain in her legs mostly at night. (I do not know if this matters but she also has hearing lost and complains of burriness. And about a month ago she was walking across the kicthen and just passed out. She hit the right side of her head again the counter and got 4 stiches. (the doctor checks blood pressure laying sitting and standing check other neuro thing and found nothing.)

* I need to know what to watch for and things like is there a test she can have that is not painful. Is MS something she can get from her father. Something else I think I should say because of things I have read. I have three Aunts with Lupus. And I understand that one can be like the other.

Any help anyone can give me would be a blessing. I do not want to scare her if I should do nothing please tell me that also. I understand that sometimes you just can not tell if a person has something when they this young.

Thank you Lenda

[lelley1960]

Hi Heather
I have had recurrent Bells Palsy 6 times in 12 months and have had MS symptoms ... my MRI shows wide spread demyelination and many lesions of the brain  classic of MS .... she said the Bells Palsy is most probably connected ... ....
my neurologist has refered me to an MS clinic just waiting for my appointment ....

Lelley

[saljoe]

I had Bell's Palsy on my left side in 1999 and recovered from it within two weeks.  Then in 2009 my left eye and left side of my nose twitched constantly, then my left ear started ringing.  I was referred to a neurologist and had an MRI and spinal tap which confirmed MS.  Thankfully I have very few MS symptoms, mainly just fatigue and left eye twitches.  A woman I used to work with also has MS and she previously had Bell's Palsy.  I have wondered how many people with MS had Bell's Palsy prior to their diagnosis.

[Pauline45]

Hi, I had Bells Palsy in 2004 and for the past few years I've had problems with weakness on the right side of my body which is on and off, twitching, tingling in my right eye, hand and leg and just general tiredness. Today I had trouble with my left eye, double vision and blurring. I have convinced myself I have  MS which I know is wrong, and I should not just automatically think, this but I have today got my GP to refer me to the hospital.  I did attend A&E at the hospital in March 2010 with the same symptoms but nothing was diagnosed. I just really wish I could get this sorted and some answers. Pauline

[ahumin]

I am experiencing a lot of MS symptoms -- twitching in my lower eyelid muscle constantly fore the past 12 months, twitching tri-ceptror muscle in my arm for a month or so, twitching front thigh muscle for a month or so (all in the right side), numbness in the foot, all on the right side.  I read there is often a family connection with MS and know my mother had Bell's Palsy in her 50s that never went away.  She had one sided paralyis.  Now she is 85 and has Althzheimers.    I have not been diagnosed with MS  but I think I have it and will go to my doctor with the info about my mother's condition which I think could very well be relevant considering what I've read here.