Bell's Palsy as a pre-dx symptom?

[wadeheather]

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!