In 2005 - 2 months after I was dx with MS - I had a bout of what I thought was Bells Palsy in the right side of my face. The whole side of my face was paralyzed. I couldn't blink my right eye or otherwise move that side of my face. Made drinking anything very challenging. This was while I was in the middle of my most debilitating flare (double vision, L'Hermitt's, balance/gait issues, numbness...all at the same time).

It cleared up in about two months but left residual weakness. When I get too tired or if I'm sick the right side of my face is noticeably affected.

My Neuro told me on my last appointment that he didn't think what I had in 2005 was Bells Palsy. He thinks it was totally MS related and due to nerve damage. He also thinks that the numbness I'm experiencing in my right hand/arm is nerve related and will not get any better than it is right now.

I'm noticing that the right side of my face is looking different from the left side - and it's freakin' me out!!! I do not want to go through an episode like I did in 2005 again! I don't think it's paralyzed...but it is definitely looking different. Almost swollen in certain places. My right eye even looks different. Looks like it's smaller than the other one. Ughhh.....

Has anyone else experienced this? I'm used to the right side of my body being the side that is most affected but this is just worrying me. I don't want to call the Neuro again...especially if there really isn't anything he can do.

Guess I just needed to vent....thanks for listening.

Aww Kelly,
I don't even know what to say. I have never had that problem. I have had eye and lip twitches but nothing else with my head. Well.. blurred vision which is probably not an MS symptom (in my case). Call the Neuro, don't feel like you're a nuisance. It's there job! and you shouldn't have to go around in pain or just feeling anxious about something. Everytime I get a bill *lol* it reminds me why I call my Neuro anytime I darn well feel like it! I hope this clears up for you quickly and doesn't leave any residual problems.

Hi Kelly - How long has this been going on? If you feel it is a new symptom and possibly may be entering another exacerbation, definitely call the dr. The sooner the better.

I haven't experienced what you described so I have nothing to share. I have had the twitching, jerking, vision loss - part of it permanent, blurry vision, etc. I have had muscle spasms that I was able to see happening in the mirror. But I have never had my face swell.

Sending you lots of cyber's and hope you feel better soon. Let us know how you are doing.

...Bless your heart... It just goes from one thing to another, doesn't it?!

I'm glad you vented. You are so good at giving hugs...it's your turn to accepted some back.

I have never had the bells palsy appearance. The left side of my face was pretty numb for several months and I have had shooting pains on the right side of my face, feels like someone is poking with a needle from the inside out. I just hate this for you. I know it's bad enough that we have to FEEL like we have MS...but then when we have to LOOK like it too, it just is a real downer.

I'm having trouble this week controlling my muscles in arms and legs when I walk....and I just hate the way I imagine I must look. It just brings it all too close to the surface.

I hope and pray that this will pass for you. I know with everything that comes up, we just wonder is this is the time we won't get over it. I am praying for you BIG TIME that you will recover from this.

Love and prayers,
Friend

"Bell's palsy is an idiopathic (of unknown cause) facial paralysis that occurs on one side of the face. It results from damage to some part of the 7th Cranial Nerve (the facial nerve) that arises in the Pons area of the Brainstem. In Multiple Sclerosis, Bell's palsy-like symptoms are usually caused by a lesion in this area."

"No effective treatments have been found although steroids are often prescribed although there use for this condition is controversial. Facial massage is probably the best treatment. Recovery usually takes place without treatment within 3 months and almost certainly with a year."

http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/Bellspalsy.html

Cherie

Dear Kelly, I had a case of Bells Palzy a few years ago. It was brought on by...what else...anxiety and stress..my biggest trigger. Facial numbness was my very first symptom of the lousy disease, years before my actual DX.

I hate to bring this up, but, please have the tests for a small Stroke/TIA. It is always a possibility and shouldn't be dismissed.

Call your Neuro, ASAP, and tell him/her your concerns.....er.....my concerns..

Thinking of You..

oh Kelly ... will send you some healing vibes .. and warm hugs PRONTO!!

Kel,

Been there. Hated it. Rinse and spit was impossible when toothbrushing!

I'd call the neuro. Even if it has happened before, it could still be something different. The first thing that comes to my mind is TIA/stroke, but if there's no other symptoms to go along with it, I'd call the neuro rather than my regular doc, because when your other symptoms are taken into consideration, it may be a flare...48 hours or more, call.

Don't know what to add, beautiful.
But I hope you get the answers you need soon.

Thanks everyone....it seems to be better this morning. Sorry that I worried anyone....

I noticed it first when I woke up from a nap. Wondering if it had anything to do with me sleeping on my right side? Smooching my face into the pillow. Well, I made a conscious effort to sleep on my left side last night but when I woke up I was on my right side... I don't like to sleep with my back to the bedroom door.....monsters creeping in, ya know...

I really don't think it was a TIA/stroke. That's what I thought the first time this happened - but this is not nearly as bad and I can still smile so I know that it's not paralyzed like it was before. And RW...I can still brush my teeth without making a complete mess!! So I think it's just residual nerve damage that acts up when I get tired or stressed.

I promise I will call the Neuro if it gets any worse. I should take my own advice, huh?

Ya'll are wonderful friends....thanks for all the encouraging words.