Neuropathy Problems Archives

Son has Bell's Palsy

Follow Ups:

• Re: Son has Bell's Palsy (Archive in neuropathy.) Walt Stoll 07:46:00 5/14/01 (0)
• Re: Son has Bell's Palsy LT 20:16:12 5/12/01 (0)
• Re: Son has Bell's Palsy Raisa 10:10:28 5/12/01 (0)
• Re: Son has Bell's Palsy Ali 05:10:30 5/12/01 (0)

In Reply to: Son has Bell's Palsy posted by Mike on May 12, 2001 at 02:01:02:

Hi Mike,
Boy, do I know what you are going through. My husband awoke 4 years ago one morning with the same symptoms as you are describing. The doc diagnosed him with Bell's. He said it was due to stress and, perhaps, a virus. No treatment was administered. They said the best treatment was stress reduction and rest. He was devastated. He was the most severe for about a month and then very slowly, he got better. I am being honest here; he's not completely the same as before. Anyone who met him after this had happened would have no clue, but I can tell the difference when he smiles. I personally know 6 people who have been stricken with this and they've all gotten better at different times, but never were 100% again. As to your question if he'll be better by graduation... maybe a little, but don't expect too much. Just be really supportive of him at this time. As if the teen years weren't hard enough, now he has this. Poor guy. Never lose hope, wonderful things happen everyday. I'm sure it will make things easier for him to have such supportive parents like you.
I hope this helps. If you have further questions, please feel free to ask.
Good Luck!
Ali

In Reply to: Son has Bell's Palsy posted by Mike on May 12, 2001 at 02:01:02:

Hi, Mike - I've written about this before, but whenever anyone mentions Bell's Palsy memories of my son come back.
His Bell's Palsy was caused by Lyme Disease. I know that this is just a remote possibility but thought you'd want to at least consider it if your son has been around areas where deer ticks live. My son's palsy gradually got better and better and I think there is every chance that it will be at least almost gone in 2 weeks no matter what caused it.
This happened about 3 years ago, and there is no trace of it now. My neighbor's son also had it years ago (not caused by Lyme), and his disappeared quickly. If he has already had it a week, I would bet that it will be gone by graduation!

In Reply to: Son has Bell's Palsy posted by Mike on May 12, 2001 at 02:01:02:

you don't by chance have Lyme disease in the area? This can be caused by Lyme....

In Reply to: Son has Bell's Palsy posted by Mike on May 12, 2001 at 02:01:02:

Hi, Mike.

Bell's Palsey takes an average of 2-3 months to clear on it's own and at least 95% of cases do so. The other 5% persist, sometimes for years, and THEY are the ones you want to avoid.

Besides, the same things that would tend to avoid the persistance will also tend to shorten his symptoms.

The only creditable cause yet found for this condition (especially at this age) is a hypersensitivity to something(s) in his environment. Since this is usually a combination of things that finally overwhelmed his neural tissues ability to cope, eliminating the easiest things that commonly are part of that list is the first thing to do--that means diet. See the elimination/provocation diet in the archives.

Next, improving the nutritional environment of the nerve, with high doses (100 milligrams twice a day) of balanced B complex formula twice a day cannot hurt and might help a lot.

Finally, if he were mine, I would have him seen by a Cranial Osteopath at once since, IF this is structural, he might get instantaneous relief in time for his graduation. Some have this cause and there is no way to tell without seeing the specialist. See the archives for how to find one.

Let us know how he does.

Walt