Before I get started, did you know that 1 in 60 people will experience Bell’s Palsy sometime in their life? That’s much more prevalent than I would have expected. It’s believed to be triggered by inflammation to the facial nerve, brought on by stress, fatigue, being immunocompromised, or by a virus.
I had what is considered a “dense” case meaning it was fully or nearly-fully paralyzed at diagnosis.
I’ve done very regular acupuncture (2-3 times per week, starting at week 2), daily red light therapy (starting at week 3), and warm compresses (mostly in the first few weeks but also anytime my face feels especially cold or tight). After the nerve started firing more, I was able to add in some facial exercises (to “practice” regular movements) which I do daily as well.
So if you or someone you know is experiencing Bell’s Palsy, here’s my update as of 10 weeks in:
Overall: At rest or in normal conversation, my face is nearly normal. If you study it closely you’ll see differences and that there’s a slight pull to my left [unaffected] side. However, it’s still very obvious when I smile wide or laugh. And for some reason in photos, it looks awful. I can look at my phone pre-selfie and arrange my face to look nearly normal with a small smile, but the photo always comes out with my face really distorted. But emotionally, I feel 1000% better about my progress to date. I feel a little more like myself each week.
Brow/Forehead: it still looks like I had Botox on one side only (the affected side). When this started, I couldn’t lift my right brow at all. Now, the inner part of the right brow lifts when my left brow lifts. And I can crinkle part of my right forehead. Who knew that I’d WANT to see forehead wrinkles?
Nose: I can now breathe out of my right [affected side] nostril. That was not the case when this first started! I try very hard to nose-breath only so I’m grateful to have this function [mostly] back to normal.
Eye: I can close my eye 99% but can’t squeeze it shut yet. During the daytime it’s getting so much better- I can see clearly now most of the time, which is a significant reduction in frustration. At night I still help it stay closed by covering my eye with a square of glad press & seal (yes, it’s quite the look!) and my sleep mask. The bottom lid is just starting to be able to tighten, so I’m paying attention to this progress as it will help with my smile as well. Baby steps!
Cheek: Ahhh, Cheek, you poor thing. This is probably the last area to regain feeling. Being able to squint helps raise it when I attempt to smile, but I have to focus on it- it’s not natural yet.
Mouth: it’s funny, there’s been so much improvement here but yet so much more to go. I can see movement now when I say “eeeee” and my lips can pucker more when I say “oooooh.” I now can eat fine, drink without dribbling, and use a straw. (Whenever I share this, I feel like Wesley* from The Princess Bride when the giant says, “You just shook your head! Doesn’t that make you happy?”)
If I had any advice for someone just beginning the Bells Palsy journey, it would be to measure your progress in weeks or months, not days. Expecting daily progress is a recipe for frustration. Like any diagnosis, it’s hardest at the beginning. And don’t hibernate- while it’s hard to feel comfortable (and not self-conscious) around others, it’s neurologically important to interact with friends and family- it helps your brain make the connections needed to heal.
*https://clip.cafe/the-princess-bride-1987/you-just-shook-head/
A photo from this week. I might be “brave” enough to post a neutral picture like this, but I’m not yet ready to share any with other expressions. I think when I’m closer to fully healed I’ll feel more ready- when I’m not currently experiencing it.