Hi everyone,

This monday I was diagnosed by a neurologist with BFS after a thorough medical examination and a clean MRI. I'm 19 years old, live in the greater Boston area, and go to Cornell University.

One question I have though, is that I've had a minor facial palsy on the left side of my face for around two months that has gradually - albiet very slowly - gotten worse. It started around Halloween with my left eye watering more than normal and air coming out of my left eye socket whenever I blew my nose. Now, the left side of my mouth droops ever so slightly (but still enough for my family to notice the change) at rest and when I smile, and I've been slurring words slightly more than normal. Also, sometimes when I talk my left ear will get this weird sensation of hearing differently that will eventually go away on its own. (Does the ear sensation have a name if any of you know what I'm talking about?)

I know I'm young and if there was the possibility of anything being seriously wrong with me I would've been asked for a follow up, but what could this be? My neurologist mentioned it might be a minor form of Bell's Palsy and didn't sound very concerned about it, but when I searched that it seemed that that usually had a rapid onset, whereas mine has been very gradual over the course of many weeks. I'm trying not to assume anything too bad but since I wasn't given an EMG I'm a little hesitant.

Thanks!
-Luke

Hi Luke,
What does BFS stand for?

Do you have others symptoms than Bell's palsy?

Since you have have Bell's palsy, which is a classic symptom of Lyme Disease, please make sure to get to a doc to test you who knows about Lyme Disease and will not only test you but will decide if you have LD via your symptoms, not just blood test results. It is called a clinical diagnosis. ( And p,lease,not just your primary care doc who may run the wrong test and declare you don't have Lyme and then you may not find out the truth until years later)

There is an organization called www.ilads.org where you can find a doc very knowledgable about Lyme...they are often called LLMD's meaning Lyme literate medical doctor. There are many in the Boston area.

Also, if you have other symptoms, check out this document which is about Lyme Disease by a very experienced doc. Look at the symptoms list.

Links to Dr Joseph Burrascano's dx and treatment guidelines paper...a Long Island doc who treated for decades. He is a brilliant guy....no longer practicing.

dr Joseph burrascano treatment and guidelines for

http://www.ilads.org/lyme/B_guidelines_12_17_08.pdf

Great book from Dr Richard Horowitz
His book is an excellent resource. I was dx'ed with Lyme Disease decades ago after years of misdiagnose. I bought this book just last yr and learned a great deall

Dr. Richard Horowitz’s recently published “Why Can’t I Get Better? Solving the Mystery of Lyme and Chronic Disease,” is #10 on the New York Times list of top-selling science books.

http://www.cangetbetter.com/

Welcome to the forums. I am sorry you have to deal with these issues and wish you the best in your quest for answers. Ask me anything you want about Lyme...I was dx'ed decades ago.
Take care,
Diandra

p.s. I am originally from the greater Boston area, Lexington.

Hello and welcome, happy to see you have come to be with us, it a great place to be. We have a great number and caring fellow members here, where you have find a supportive and relaxing place. Have fun looking into the different forums. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Please keep us up to date on your condition. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene