Bell's palsy-like facial paralysis?

[aredmosquito]

I went into the ER with my second bout of "Bell's palsy" in less than two years. I am convinced that it has to do with lesions from MS, since the affected cranial nerve actually originates in the brain. My neurologist thinks it's just a coincidence, yet I haven't had any viral infections, as is common with Bell's.

Anyone else on here had MS related facial paralysis that mimics Bell's?

[Kimba22]

Hi aredmosquito,

The first event I ever had was initially dx'd as Bell's Palsy. The ENT I saw then was the first to mention the remote possibility it could really be MS, not Bell's Palsy. I guess I was only half listening at the time , all I heard was that it could be MS if it happened again (which it hasn't), and I needed to get in to see him ASAP if it did. He also mentioned his wife had Bell's Palsy twice while she was in nursing school, and was fine.

I started having other symptoms shortly after this event, so it was really my first MS attack. I also had intense pain in my neck and across my shoulders when it happened, something no doctor could ever explain at the time, but now I recognize it as spasticity. Although the facial paralysis has never resurfaced, the neck and shoulder pain has many times.

I hope your facial paralysis will resolve completely, soon! Best wishes ,

[aredmosquito]

Thanks! My neurologist put me on the IVSM for 3 days, followed by an oral taper, and a week later, my face is about 80% better. Eyebrow still won't budge, but other than that, almost normal. YAY!

[Kimba22]

Thanks for the update. That's great news!!! Don't think it'll be long until you can move that eyebrow again.

I can remember the ENT telling me if things didn't start to resolve soon, he'd need to sew my eye shut. (In the meantime, got to look like a pirate and put gel in my eye to keep it moist.) He also explained how he'd transplant a nerve from somewhere else to try to resolve my facial paralysis if it didn't clear up on it's own. (Both reasons why I was probably only half listening when MS was mentioned. ) Took about 6 weeks (with an oral steroid, all I remember about them is that they were big caplets), and haven't had facial paralysis since. So glad to hear you saw results within a week with the IV steroids! Hopefully, it doesn't happen again.

Take care,