Question re: Bell's Palsy

[Audrey_M]

After brushing my teeth this morning, I noticed that the right side of my mouth is drooping. I do have a headache and tinnitus, but that is nothing new.

For those who have had Bell's Palsy, how fast or slow can symptoms develop?

I guess I just have to watch this through the day and see how things go. If it is Bell's Palsy, I'll be contacting the neuro on Monday.

Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there!

Audrey

[FRC23]

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.

Common misdiagnoses are depression, epilepsy, and migraines.

It doesn't look the way you think it looks. 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!

[Sparkysarah]

Just to say hope that you are feeling better soon and that you contact your neuro or doctor soon. Also enjoy your sister's 50th family party. I do not think I can add anything futher to all the helpful posts above but just wanted to add my support...I imagine you feel quite self conscious but I thinkt hat anything to do with the mouth always feels worse than it looks.

Love Sarah

[twopack]

Thanks Ess.  It's always helpful to hear what Quix has to say.  So the sensation stuff doesn't go with Bell's and the motor difficulty with the tongue may or may not fit.  Now that I stop and think, the tongue is probably a different CN anyway.  

This leaves me wondering about the Bell's Palsy diagnosis they gave me back then????  
It was 1997, seven years after the MRI that I now know showed lesions.  Funny how only the original radiologist ever thought there was evidence in my brain stem.  Symptoms support him more all the time.  Oh well.

Mary

[addicted2harleys]

I am undiagnosed.

I have to agree with everyone here, too.  I just went through something similar.  I automatically thought "neuro symptoms".  But several people said it was also symptoms of TA.  I finally relented and went and had it checked.  

I went through all the testing and it turned out it was not a TA.  What you are describing could also be a TA...and TA's are warning signs and should NOT be dismissed...as your symptoms should not.

On a good note that was so graciously reminded to me, on top of my not having a TA, the upside was that my symptoms were acknowledged and treated...which means this went towards my diagnosis.

Please don't overlook your symptoms.  It is so much better to be safe than sorry...

Addi

[essdipity]

Here's an old thread that might be of interesting, Quix's comments especially.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Bells-Palsy-as-a-pre-dx-symptom/show/992033

ess

[twopack]

I tend to agree with Terri.  You need to let a doctor consider all the possibilities before you assume Bell's palsy or an MS related fatigue (they are not the same thing).

I've had Bell's Palsy.  It's possible for the symptoms to appear overnight and progress gradually.  They usually take much longer to go away and don't always completely disappear.  Symptoms do include eyelid drooping and/or the inability to completely close the eyelid.  You usually have to get someone else to check this for you as you close your eyes.  There is also often a loss of sensation and taste on one side of the tongue.  This can make it harder to talk and manipulate food in your mouth and easier to choke.

Bell's Palsy is often treated with steroids to shorten it's course.  If that is what you have you may want to be seen before Monday so you can get treatment started and (possibly) stop the progression in it's tracks.  It has never been clear to me if Bell's Palsy has any connection to MS.

It is possible to have this happening with a stroke or migraine but you really can't tell on your own at home, especially if this is the first such experience for you.

Please take care,
Mary

[Audrey_M]

Terri:

Thanks for your concern and appropriate counsel.

I am aware that sx could be indicative of a stroke. At the same time, I have a multitude of sx that right now are attributed to degenerative disc disease. Other than the face, I do not notice any other exaccerabation in sx.

Right now, I am noticing only minimal changes. The right side of my mouth is drooping slightly and the crease between my nose and mouth on that side is less pronounced. My son said that my mouth does not seem to be moving normally when I speak, but the speech is clear (but is not always- part of my sx). My right eyebrow is starting to arch. I do not notice any other increased weakness on my right side.

We are celebrating my younger sister's 50th birthday today, so I will be with family. I will ask them if they notice anything of concern.

Thanks again for your reply. Of all the forums I've checked on this site, this one is the most active, informative and caring.

You all are the best!

Audrey

[tjj3761]

Audrey,

I do not want to scare you and I know you are wondering about Bell's palsy, but facial drooping also could be a sign of stroke.

Please do not take your symptoms lightly.  

With Bell's palsy, your eye droops as well with vision problems I believe.

If you do not have MS, the headache and dizziness would also be concerning symptoms as well.  I would try calling your physician today....

terri

[Zacksmomi]

I have it off and on some days barely noticable, and other days very much so.  It comes and goes at random, but the other night I had a terrible episode where my right side of my face was completely crooked.  It was pretty scary.

My husband and I had been laughing a lot so I figure the muscles just got tired and it was gone by morning.  Actually better than normal by morning.  I did make sure to mention this to my neuro though and he was quite concerned. He  ran a couple tests to rule out some other possibilities as opposed to just assuming it was from MS.  He likes to be safe.

I would not let it go if I were you.  Just keep an eye on it, and make sure if it does go away by monday to make a note to mention it, and if it is not gone, to make that neuro call.

Take care
D

[essdipity]

Hi, Audrey. Haven't had that, I'm glad to say, but know others who have. One who has it now is much better (noticeably) than she was a couple of weeks ago. I agree that you should watch it, and unless it's completely gone by Monday, pretty unlikely, then contact your neuro.

Good luck,
ess