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Repeat occurences of Bells Palsy

In the past 2 years I have been diagnosed 6 times now with Bells Palsy, I am 36 years old, I am a female. I can't afford to go to the doctors, and am currently experiencing symptoms of bells palsy again. Each episode lasts anywhere from a few weeks to a couple months. I have never been diagnosed with any form of herpes as commonly known to cause Bells Palsy. Thus I am frustrated and wondering could it be a medication I take. Are there any medications known to cause Bells Palsy? Thank You.
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Avatar universal
See a sleep center. It sounds like narcolepsy. Viruses and some vaccines can actually cause it.

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.

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).

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 was tested for epilepsy, migraines, MS, all kinds of things. But nope, it turned out to be narcolepsy!!

Get seen by a sleep center!
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144586 tn?1284666164
The treatments for Bell's palsy are essentially providing an anti-inflammatory and watchful waiting. Often a steroid is prescibed. The etiology varies. Usually this is viral, and often due to a herpes zoster inflection. Vitamin C to bowel tolerance is one treatment. Anti viral meds areThere are other possibilities, including a neuroma and an MRI might be considered. In addition check your blood sugar levels and obtain an Hba1c test, which is very inexpensive. Bell's Palsy is also linked to diabetic neuropathy.
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Avatar universal
Looking for information for a family member who has also been diagnosed with Bells Palsy 4 times in the past few years.  She is always in pain and has awful headaches and has fainted.  The doctors aren't very helpful.  

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