posted
I have Lyme, but heard of another family member that has had Bell's Palsey for 4,5,6 years. He has never been seen by a LLMD or been Dx with Lyme.
He lives in Miami, used to live in PA and has traveled all over the world. He was told that he contracted some strange virus in another country that caused the Bell's.
Has anyone ever heard of long term Bell's Palsey and-- more importiant has anyone ever been treated after having this for a long time.
Can it be improved or elimintaed after a long time if the cause is Lyme?
Thanks
-------------------- Positive 10 bands WB IGG & IGM + Babesia + Bartonolla and NOW RMSF 3/5/09 all at Quest
lymielauren28
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13742
posted
Hey Con,
Yes, I believe it can cause permanent damage to your facial nerves or any other nerves for that matter.
I don't know if you've heard of P.J. Langhoff, but she's a lyme activist and has written of her permanent Bell's Palsy due to Lyme.
Is it reversible? I haven't a clue.
Is your family member open to being tested for Lyme?
-------------------- "The only way out is through" Posts: 1434 | From mississippi | Registered: Nov 2007
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Rianna
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11038
posted
If this is long term you can use the following treatment that should be widely available, In clinic I have seen it used with great success, ensure it is a practitioner that uses facial microcurrent probes (not pads) and who works soley with Stroke an Bells Palsy:-
Micro-current therapy or MENS (Micro-current Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation) was developed over 20 years ago by A Californian Doctor, Dr Thomas Wing. Microcurrent therapy is used in the medical field to treat stroke victims and those who have suffered Bells Palsy by re-educating weakened facial muscles. Micro-current therapy is also used by medical practitioners and professional sports teams worldwide to speed up the healing process of wounds, injured muscles, & tendons, prevent muscle loss and reduce scarring, it is also widely used for pain relief.
I'm new to LymeNet--but I've been a longtime Bells Palsy victim. That was actually how my Lyme was discovered. There is a great resource for Bell's Palsy, www.bellspalsy.ws. I had my first round of BP, 6 years ago...I got another case about 2 months ago (on the opposite side of my face). Its fairly mysterious, because "text book BP" goes away on its own usually. My first round I had been immediately given Lyme tests and they treated the Lyme and gave prednisone for BP. Months later when my BP was still with me, I was given more antibiotics while I waited to get into Dr. D in MA. This time, I was able to take prednisone, biaxin and acyclovir (anti-viral which has shown useful in BP cases) and my BP was gone in 2 weeks...coincidence, I'm not so sure. I have some residuals from my first bout of BP, the nerves healed incorrectly. I tried the electrical stimulation-which I later learned was the worst thing I could've done for myself. And finally, visited a Neuro Muscular Retraining Therapist, which did wonders! Its a very slow process, but you can retrain the facial muscles (and yes you can retrain them after years of incorrect movement), I also work with a separate neurologist who uses Botox to aid in stopping/lessening some of the unwanted facial movements. Its not always good to wink at people when you talk to them You can get in trouble sometimes! Because its Lyme related, I've also gotten the insurance company to pay for the botox and the NMR visits (which is usually a feat unto itself).
I've heard great things from a few Neuro's in FL--the www.bellspalsy.ws is a fabulous resource, they list specialists by area too!
Good Luck and if you have any questions I'm more than happy to answer them--its a long road, but I've been on it a while now Posts: 9 | From Providence, RI | Registered: May 2008
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I had Bell's Palsy (a mild bilateral facial drooping) for 3 years. I thought it meant I was getting old and, because it looked so bad, my husband and I considered getting me a face lift!
(I looked like I was scowling all the time. Deep lines around the mouth.)
Then, I woke up one day and it was gone! This was all before I was diagnosed with lyme, babesiosis, and bartonella.
I am cured, off meds for over 3 years with no residual symptoms, enjoying my normal life again.
So, I guess I am proof that it can go away on its own even after years.
I have read of many cases of lyme where facial lines that people had had for years (basically, their whole life in many cases) went away during lyme treatment. I can't remember the doc that chronicled this--one of the big names in lyme, if I remember correctly. He said these lines were bell's palsy caused by lyme disease.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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lymebytes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11830
posted
I have read that large dosing of methylcobalamin b12 injections can cure bells palsy. You can likely google it and find abstracts and articles concerning it.
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You can get in trouble sometimes! Because its Lyme related, I've also gotten the insurance company to pay for the botox and the NMR visits (which is usually a feat unto itself).![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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