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Hi Walt,
I played golf with my 22 yo son on tuesday. He complained of his tongue "feeling funny". Since then it has progressed to a paralysis of his lips on one side and an inability to close or blink his eye on the same side. His speech slurs a bit due to the lip paralysis. No pain involved, just parasthesia.
Kinesiologically, he showed an upper cervical problem along with TMJ involvement. In addition, the virus reflex was very active. My working diagnosis is viral induced Bell's Palsy.
I have started him on several products for the virus and I think I will start him on proteolytic enzymes tomorrow for inflammation. Since I am very emotionally involved with this situation, I would value your input.
Namaste'
Doc Kim
In Reply to: Walt, my turn, my son - possible Bell's Palsy posted by Doc Kim on August 11, 2000 at 18:58:29:
Hi Doc Kim ~
I wanted to share my limited exposure about a coworker that developed Bell's Palsy. I was working at a pain management clinic at the time, and she was a psychologist (in her ealy 50s) who assisted the patients with the emotional aspect of dealing with chronic pain.
Anyhow, when she suddenly developed Bells' Palsy symptoms, an Acutherapist (also working at the clinic) suggested she have accupuncture for the paralysis, which was obviously very convenient since they both worked at the same place. She agreed, and I believe she had at least one treatment per day (probably an hour at lunch).
It was amazing how quickly her symptoms disappeared and she quickly regained the feeling/sensation she has lost. I don't know how long she continued treatment (can't remember), but I believe all symptoms were completely resolved, with at least some improvement shortly after the first accupuncture session.
I wish both you and your son the best of luck with resolving this recent affliction. With my coworker's situation, I have NO idea what the accupuncture addressed other than the actual symptoms, or if the causes were resolved as well. However, I wanted to share what I had seen with regard to this particular condition.
Sincerely,
Sharon R.
In Reply to: Re: Walt, my turn, my son - possible Bell's Palsy posted by Sharon R. on August 11, 2000 at 20:31:21:
Hi Sharon,
Thanks alot for the info. I have heard it said that you should never treat a family member. You are so close that you overlook things or don't consider ALL the options. My son, Ben, has never been sick or seen a medical doctor in his life to this point. He is pretty frightened right now. He is in the golf business and has a real important week ahead at the US Open, so, the stress has added to his problem, I'm sure.
I appreciated your kindness and will keep everyone informed about his progress.
Namaste'
Doc Kim
In Reply to: Re: Walt, my turn, my son - possible Bell's Palsy posted by Sharon R. on August 11, 2000 at 20:31:21:
I had Bell's Palsy about three years ago and the first thing I noticed was my ability to taste went away. Everything tasted about as good as cardboard. It affected the right side of my face. My eye was most affected and I have permanent nerve damage. I didn't know until recently, that I had nerve damage to the whole side of my face until I had an examine for something else and during the course of taking my history the doctor, had me move my face in certain ways and said there was a damage to the whole side of my face. I was given prednisone and acyclovir, from the first doctor but the second doctor questioned the acyclovir. I later went to Barnes and Noble and read a Nerology text book and it said the few people they were able to do autopsies on who had had Bell's Palsy along with some more serious disorder, showed having herpes in their system. I know I get extreme cases of fever blisters around my nose and mouth area. My past family doctor gave me acyclovir in case of a break out. The info on the internet said some people have it come back affecting the other side of the face. How common is that? They still say they don't know what causes it, only conjecture. Do the alternative doctors have any ideas on this. The doctor that diagnosed it said he use to see Bell's Palsy only occasionally, but now he sees cases all the time. Could you tell me anything further? Thanks
In Reply to: Re: Walt, my turn, my son - possible Bell's Palsy posted by Doc Kim on August 11, 2000 at 20:40:08:
WHAT IS BELL'S PALSY?
It is a partial facial paralysis of unknown causes afflicting about 40,000 Americans a year. Viral infection, autoimmune disease and micro-circulation problems are suspected causes.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECOVER?
About eighty percent of Bell's palsy suffers will have a complete recovery within a three month period with or without medical treatment. Some sufferers will never completely recover.
CAN BELL'S PALSY RECUR?
Yes, about twenty percent of Bell's palsy sufferers will have a recurrence.
IS IT RELATED TO A STROKE?
No.
IS BELL'S PALSY FATAL?
No. Several diseases can cause facial paralysis and are sometimes misdiagnosed as Bell's palsy. Facial tumors, various types of cancer and autoimmune problems can also cause facial palsy, some of those diseases can be fatal.
HOW IS IT TREATED?
The most important treatment is eye protection. Facial paralysis can interrupt the eyelids natural blinking ability therefore protecting the eye from drying out is important. Artificial tears and eye patches are effective.
WHAT ABOUT CORTICOSTEROIDS?
Steroid treatment has not been proven effective. In the book "Surviving Bell's Palsy" the author reports steroid therapy, in some cases, might cause further nerve damage if not used properly.
WHAT ABOUT ELECTRICAL STIMULATION TREATMENTS?
Again, the author of "Surviving Bell's Palsy" reports that researchers have found electrical stimulation might cause further nerve damage and delay healing in Bell's palsy cases. There is no scientific evidence of it's effectiveness.
WILL VITAMINS HELP?
There are no studies proving increased vitamin intake will improve recovery.
I HEARD HERPES CAUSES BELL'S PALSY, IS THIS TRUE?
Some researchers suspect herpes simplex 1, the virus responsible for cold sores around the mouth, is the true cause of Bell's palsy. However this has not yet been proven.
DO "SHINGLES" CAUSE BELL'S PALSY?
No. Herpes zoster, the virus that causes shingles, has been documented to cause facial paralysis but it is not Bell's palsy. People suffering from facial paralysis caused by the herpes zoster virus are suffering from "herpetic facial palsy." In other words, the palsy is a result of the herpes infection. Bell's palsy is facial paralysis of unknown origin.
WHAT ABOUT ACYCLOVIR, WILL IT CURE BELL'S PALSY?
No. There is no cure for Bell's palsy at this time. Acyclovir is an antiviral medication used to treat herpes, it has not yet been proven effective in the treatment of Bell's palsy.
I'VE BEEN TOLD DECOMPRESSION SURGERY OF THE SEVENTH CRANIAL NERVE WILL PREVENT ANY RECURRENCE OF BELL'S PALSY, IS THIS TRUE?
No. There are several documented cases of recurring Bell's palsy in patients who had previously undergone decompression surgery. The use of decompression surgery in the treatment of Bell's palsy is rare because its effectiveness is highly questionable.
MY FRIEND HAS BELL'S PALSY IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP? Yes, be supportive! People suffering from sudden facial paralysis often get depressed about their appearance. Encourage your friend to join one of the on-line support groups formed by Bell's palsy survivors. Your friend might be encouraged to visit a professional mental health counselor if their depression is chronic or severe.
WHO IS BELL?
Sir Charles Bell was the 19th century doctor who first described the disease.
In Reply to: Re: Walt, my turn, my son - possible Bell's Palsy posted by Doc Kim on August 11, 2000 at 20:40:08:
Hi Doc Kim,
Try this site: http://www.entnet.org/bells.html
Sorry, I don't know how to put a link here yet so you'll have to copy and paste it.
You son is in my prayers.
In Reply to: This looks like a good site posted by KMD on August 12, 2000 at 17:22:36:
Hi Kathy,
Thanks for the link and the prayers.
All you have to do to put a link in here is to highlight and copy the address (control C) into the box below called "optional Link URL" (control V). That's tooo simple!
Namaste'
Doc Kim
In Reply to: Re: This looks like a good site - How to copy link posted by Doc Kim on August 12, 2000 at 17:54:42:
I have seen acupuncture provide an immeidate fix to Bell's Palsy. Wish i could report more (such as its effect on the actual cause, etc.), but all i know is that it brought back ability to move the muscles right away.
hope things work out for you and him!
In Reply to: From the Bell's Palsy Network posted by KMD on August 12, 2000 at 17:17:20:
Thanks, KMD, for the good conventional description of Bell's Palsy.
This is always a good place to start. You notice that they make no mention of acupuncture although that has been the first thing any oriental doc will do for this problem. It is one of th most consistantly effective treatment and is is a shame the conventional docs do not even THINK of it.
Also, I have seen many of these respond to Chiropractic manipulation (KIM!).
If I had this diagnosis, and acupuncture or Chiropractic did not resolve it quickly, I would fall back on wellness and wait for it to resolve in on its own.
Worry WILL make it last a lot longer and, if one worries enough, one can get it to stay forever.
Hope this helps. My guess is that, if Kim's son knows the basic description of the untreated statistics, he will worry a lot less.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: From the Bell's Palsy Network (Archive) posted by Walt Stoll on August 13, 2000 at 08:59:37:
I realize my posts on this thread were probably not helpful. I just felt like I wanted to try to do SOMETHING to help. Especially after all you have done for me. I will stick with the prayers.
In Reply to: Let us know how he improves, Doc Kim posted by KMD on August 13, 2000 at 21:20:14:
Hi, KMD
There's power in prayer and good thoughts. That's the same thing I'm doing.:-)
Something tells me the young man will be fine.
May God Bless You All
Paulette
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