paralized by the mouth area

[taradawn]

I have been under an enormous amount of stress and pressure.  On the 21st of March I was verbally abused and at night driving from SLC to LV something Happened to me.  The next day I felt my jaw was extremely tight and I could not smile normally anymore.  Have been to a doctor in Hong Kong since I had to go here to see my 15 year old daughter and he advised me to have a MRI done, he could see it that when I smiled it was fake.  The MRI turned out O.K. thank God, and he gave me also muscle relaxing pills.  Up till now it is still the same.  If you just look at me there is nothing really obvious but when I try to smile my mouth is crucid (spelling?) not american, can anybody tell me what is wrong with me.  I was known for my smile and am embarrassed to show myself in public.  Hope to have an answer.
Thank you very much...

[dr_zan]

after so long web searching i could find some symptoms that seems to be like those i had..
i had been under stress too . and suddenly felt something went wrong with my face. i hade face muscles stifness. like increase inthe tone of the muscles. accompained with decrease in ability  of thinking
(mental block) like if my concentration goes to my face muscles. and so i cant smile normaly.. the case affects my mother as well and i had it 7 years ago since i was 15 y old .the facial muscles stiffness is usually accompained with chest muscles stiffness too and change in breathing rythm and goes into depression like symptoms.
these symptoms comes in about 90% of the time and goes in less than 10% of the time  and i can hardly control it by thinking in other things but always fail .and i cant find any dignosis for it..

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Facial palsy is a disorder of the facial nerve caused by various reasons. It is a paralysis resulting in inability to control facial muscles on the affected side. To know more about facial palsy visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facial_palsy. There is a a picture on that page and you can see if that is what you are talking about.

Since it still feels and appears strange after so many days, I think it is important that you visit your doctor. This may be even more important in case facial palsy is the actual cause.

An MRI may be normal in such conditions. Other tests may be required.

Keep us posted and let us know if you may need any more help.

Best regards

[taradawn]

Hi,
Thank you for your reply. I am 52 years old.
No, I never had this happen in the past...  I have a problem but not too bad closing just my left eye and have headaches a lot, although it might be because I have a terrible cold, so not sure if it is because of the paralyzation.   I did go to a neurologist in HK and he send me to have a MRI done, since that was o.k. he said that it should be disappear by itself, it has been now 24 days since it happened...  What is facial plasy?
Yes, I can whistle, fill my mouth with air, but when I smile my mouth goes crocked  and feels tight so it is not the same, looks very fake....
Do I need to go back to a neurologist in the states?  since here they said there was nothing wrong with the pics of the MRI
Thank you so much..
Helena

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

What other symptoms are you having? What is your age? Have you had similar episodes in the past?

Are you able to shut your eyes tightly, clench your teeth, blow a whistle, fill your mouth with air?

It would be best if you wait for a couple of days for your symptoms to resolve spontaneously - if they still persist you should consult a neurologist.

This could be stress induced, or even facial palsy - but the chances are very less.

Nothing can be said with surety without a definite clinical examination.

Let us now what the specialist advises and also post us about how you are doing.

Let us know if you have any other doubts.

Regards.