how long to bell's palsy recovery?

Mike, I'm also dragonheifer in this thread. Somehow since I originally responded before registering, it wouldn't let me reuse that name. Thanks for the news on smoking! I did just start back on Chantix last week and due to other issues I've had I was on high doses of B vitamins before this happened. I really am not that concerned about appearances (I just think of it like a Halloween costume out of season) but really want to get coordinated vision back! At least enough that I can drive to work. Really thought the speed in which I got my steroids started would give me a jump start on recovery. Keep seeing posts of improvements noted after 7-10 days and I'm still waiting on just a twitch in my eyelid! On my Chatix schedule, today should be my last cigarette, so maybe I'll see some kind of improvement next week! Here's to Us All Seeing Improvements Soon!

How many days are you into your Bells Palsy?
Let me know,

Mine started the morning of Jan 30th, so I'm at day 17 now. This morning I thought I was finally seeing a slight eyelid twitch, went to my Dr. appt and he said the steroids must have me hallucinating, there is still nothing moving. Today was back to Opto too. They said it takes a while to get adjusted to using just one eye, especially when it's the dominant eye that is affected. I'm doing good on keeping it moisturized. He especially like the way we rigged the Speedo swim goggle for when I'm outside. I don't have another follow-up with them for 3 months. If I still can't close my eye by that point he said they can put a stitch in the outer corner and/or glue it starting from the outside until it pulls my lid down. And there will always be the option of attaching weights. I think he was just letting me know options are available even for worst case scenarios. The worst news was even as the passenger in the car, I still had eye 'attacks' that required immediate drops so I still don't want to take on driving myself anywhere yet.

i got bell's palsy :( i'm in 6th day no improvment :( i am worried for my eye :( i have no family member with me . i dont know what to do . i dont have insurance . i can not pay for neurologist . there is only one way to go . wait wait and wait to get well soon. you guys are lucky you have a doctor medicine everything . God bless you and me .

I am sorry to hear about your problem(s). I fully understand. If you go through the ER they by law have to administer medical attention. When and if you are admitted to the hospital ask for a social worker to visit your room. From there they should have the appropriate course of action in order to apply for your states medical assistance program. If you also require financial help ask for information in applying for disability benefits as well. They take longer to come through, but if you need immediate help with medical bills and medications there are typically organizations that will assist you. Even if you are not in the hospital contact your local welfare program location and give them the information and immediate need for medical assistance. There are even some programs that will give you prescription discount help right now. There are options out there for the help, you just have to want it. I know it's hard right now to concentrate on anything than what is unfortunately plagueing you currently, but it's just a matter of have to get done. I'm on my 2nd full month (24 hours a day 7 days a week) with this condition and my neurologist has said I have no improvement. I still have terrible vision (eye works a little better than before) but the face is still dead numb and not moving. Still cannot brush my teeth with ease or drink a glass of water. Talk without a cheek blowing blubber sound and action. Eating is a nightmare of pain and awkward clumsy motions. The pain in my face, eyebrow, cheekbone, jaw, and ear are still present with no subsiding. The medication I got simply could not be anymore effective than if I'd just taken a Tylenol PM. I get tired but no relief. It's hard on me too and I wish I could offer better advice, but hang in there and fight it. Take advantage of any and all financial/medical assistance you need in order to combat this miserable and unreasonable infliction. Comes out of nowhere but stays longer than a houseguest. I often feel like I have been hexed or being punished for something I cannot remember doing. Oh, and those who are saying that the B vitamin is a great miracle cure, that is great for you but I take Super B complex and B12 3x a day and has not helped. My PCP said I was not deficient of B so I wasn't a candidate for injections to push along the recovery. My case has also made me a hermit more which means I hardly leave the house unless necessary. I feel awful and think everyone is looking at me with either pity or disgust.

Just checking in. 

I was hit with BP on New Year's Eve (read previous posts). I am at Week 7 since its onset and am 100% recovered; I was about 90%+ recovered by Week 5.  I had Grade 6 (out of 6) BP (total facial paralysis). 

I'm still receiving weekly B12 injections, and am also on daily oral B12 vitamin therapy. 

My best to all, so hoping this ends for you soon!

I'm at week 6 now with no improvement to moving my eyebrow or my mouth on my left side. I do have better control of blinking my eye on the left side so at least my eye has improved quite a bit since the start. It's so frustrating not to be able to move the left side of my face at all. I don't like to look at people face to face with this problem. I've never had anything like this in my life and this is about as bad as I could have ever imagined. I'm just hoping sometime soon I'll see some improvement and get some movement back in my face. As I read others stories, some get it back in 1-2 months, some take 3-4 months, some 6 months and over and some never fully get it back. It can be very depressing, I hope we all recover soon.

I just woke up Tuesday am with Bell's Palsy again.  I had this 9-10 years ago as well.  This time is worse.  I am nervous this time I won;t recover fully like I did before.  I go back to the neurologist on Tuesday to go over blood work.  They took vials, so I am hoping this will tell something.  He is hoping to a full recovery for all of us!  Has anyone had this twice, and what was the outcome?

 

Thanks!

Mariah  

thank u for your post. im going into 9 months with bells and i get botox now. My face will never be the same. Most people recover fully. Its just my luck that i didnt. Now im having new symptoms with my hearing. I was sent to see an ear specialist. Only thing that keeps me going are my 3 kids.I have no choice but to move forward.

my daughter got bells palsy when she was 7 and then 7 months again and seven years now again. first right second left now third left again. its been 3 and half months shes still not fully recovered and her eye is still not blinking. she is fifteen years old. she is getting accupuncture treatment which hopefully will help

I'm now on day 37. On my 5th week anniversary (2 days ago) I began to see some twitch in my cheek when I strain really hard. My eyelid will now flicker and slide down almost to the top of my iris. The doctor even saw it yesterday. I have been on Valtrex and Prednisone from the get go. He has adjusted the Prednisone up and down at about 1 week intervals (from 40mg/day to 30 back to 40) as the side effects of taking a high dose constantly concern him (elevated BP - shifts of not being able to sleep for 36-48 hours at a time, etc) Anyway, he does not seem to like my lack of consistent improvements because he's decided to send me to a neurologist to see if they can determine the degree of nerve damage. While I am going stir crazy, I do consider myself rather lucky that I have excellent disability insurance and medical insurance.

Got diagnosed with Bell's Palsy 6 days ago and got precribed predisone for 10 days.  It started with a recurring sharp pain behind my neck towards the left side and a tingling sensation on the left side of my face.  I didn't think anything of it since I didn't have any other symptoms that indicated I was having a stroke.  I went to bed hoping it will be gone the next day but upon waking up, I could not move the left side of my face.

It's been a very challenging couple of days specially when it comes to eating and drinking.  I'm a little self concious but my wife and kids have given me the strength and confidence to keep going like nothing is wrong.  It takes a little getting used to but hopefully a full recovery is coming very soon.

Having Bell's Palsy have given me a different outlook in life.  I can fully appreciate all the little things that I might not have appreciated when I didn't have it.  I'm glad to see to that my 2 yr old run under the dining table if he is upset and that I have to go and convinced him to come out of hiding.  I'm glad to feel my 7 yr old kicking me in the butt as target practice for his TKD.  I'm glad to see that my daughter has still a lot to learn in gymnastics and that I can still give her words of encouragement and most of all I'm glad that I still have the chance to wrap my arms around my wife and kids.

Day 15, and I am starting to see movement!!!! So excited!!! I can see all my teeth when I smile now! Still, I would say I am only 30% better....but PROGRESS!!!!!

You have such a great attitude about your bells palsy saying 'thankful for 2 arms to still hug my family' I just had to reply. It is a very stessful diseases and because so little is known or can be done for it... these articles are light to keep the faith that recovery is possible. I've had bells since June 2012- I had hoped for full recovery but at age 56 was told chances ae I would not recover fully. Thanks be to God I do have movement in my left side now... but only about 1/2 way back to normal. I will pray for your recovery

you should take antibiotics and steroids.Doctor told me I have to take these tablets for recover my face. Otherwise my face will be same !!! So please ask doctors for steroids tablets. I also had 2 egg everyday. because it is good for muscles. My face recovered in 7 days thank God !!!