I really thought I was having a stroke, very scary, but this just might have saved my life as they also found high blood pressure, anyone know anything about this Bell's Palsy first hand? I was told 40 thousand people a year get it in the US alone. It's my left side of my face, very hard to drink or eat, and left eye only closes when I close my right eye, OY! This to shall pass, (at least I hope so) thanks for any info.

My son had it when he was around 17 years old. It was weird but went away. same things that happened to you. I`m pretty sure that they said it could return.

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When you don`t know what to do-Walk fast and look worried.

My husband was warned that he could develop this a few years ago. He had a very bad head cold and bronchitis or walking pneumonia or something similar. From what I understand it develops from an untreated infection of the facial nerve . . .

I've never heard of it.. What causes it..

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Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like. - Will Rogers

I had bells palsy for about 3 weeks after the birth of my second child. I was told at the time that the bronchitis that I had during the end of my pregnancy combined with stress (son was born 3 weeks early and spent a week in NICU) caused it. It was sad because, in addition to having trouble eating and drinking, I couldn't smile at my newborn or easily talk to him. Anyway, one day I just woke up and it was gone, as quickly as it came, it disappeared.

A few years later my DH had it also. No idea what caused it in his case.

My mother-in-law had bells palsy when she was in her late 50's. My grandma had it in her 70's. And I had a friend who had it in her 20's. Seems anyone can get it. It completely went away in all 3 cases.

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I'm in a constant search for the next great freebie or deal.

Just wanted to add that I've known 2 people who have developed this over the years, and it resolved for both of them.

Keeping positive thoughts for your health!

No experience but wanted to say get well and I will pray for your recovery.

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Laura
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A neighbor also thought she was having a stroke at work but it was bells palsy. It was very scary for her. My brother got it when he was about 2 years old in the 1950's. His never went away, but is not very noticeable. The hardest thing for him was that he tongue was/is numb and he would bite it and not even know it. So until you get feeling back be carful when you eat. I have known many other people that got it and everyone else has had a complete recovery. Just give it time and it will get better.

my husband had bells palsy for about 3 months a few years ago. We don't what triggered it but it was just awful. We had 2 weddings to go to and he couldn't smile or anything because of the bells palsy

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

I had it about 11 years ago. I really really feel for you. I was given antibiotics and nerve stimulation on my face. Mine affected my left side. I, too, thought I had had a stroke after I woke up that morning and saw my face that!

Mine was a pretty severe case. My left eye wouldn't close at all. At night to keep the cornea from getting scratched and to keep my eye from drying out, I would tape plastic wrap over it and then cover it with an eye patch. During the day I wore sunglasses a lot. Since your face is drooped and your eyelid, I would tape my eyebrow up (I wore bangs so my hair hid it). Of course you can't smile and all the time people would say 'smile', 'smile', not knowing I couldn't. You will drool, so make sure you have tissues at all times. And you'll not be able to drink without a straw. I learned that the hard way with hot coffee! You'll have a hard time talking and pronouncing certain words, too. I still use a straw for most of my drinks.

I have some side effects even now. When I'm tired, it shows on my face -- my smile is crooked now most of the time. I really notice it in pictures. And when I'm really tired, my eye on the left will droop a little. Most of the time the left side of my face feels 'funny'. One advantage for me -- the wrinkles in my forehead never came back. My BP never quite went away. I can always feel it there and see it at times.

It's hard for people to imagine what it's like if they haven't experienced it. I remember our vacation pictures that year -- not smiling in any of them. I looked like such a grump!!

I had a lot of horrible ear pain with mine and had gone to the doctor a few days before it happened. They couldn't figure out what was causing the ear pain.

You'll figure out ways to do things so it will be less noticeable and ways to tolerate it. I hope yours doesn't last long. Good luck to you. If you need a shoulder to cry on or to complain to, just let me know. I really do know what you're going thru.

I'm a speech pathologist and I have seen kids as young as 9 with it. Typically it resolves itself with no interventoin. However if it lasts over 2-3 months speech therapy can address nreve stimulation to get the nerves firing again. You'll be OK! Just one thought on the high blood pressure...maybe they want to check that out after you get over the Bells Palsy...the cause is unknow but they think it can be related to virus, stress or herpes type...you might have been a little stressed in the ER so your BP may not be accurate...just a thought!

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Former SAHM now working full time
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