My Bell's Journey

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I was diagnosed with Bell's on February 5, 2017. Two days prior to left facial paralysis, I experienced severe left ear, jaw and neck pain. One day prior to diagnosis, my left upper lip became numb. I went to the hospital ER the morning of 5th and was diagnosed and given a 5 day course of antivirals and 10 day tapered dose of steroids. At 10 days, my symptoms worsened and I saw my PCP who prescribed gabapentine for nerve pain and referred me to a neurologist. There was a six week wait to be seen. My PCP sent me back to the ER to get an MRI which showed severe inflammation of the 7th cranial nerve = the facial nerve. This nerve is bundled behind the ear and has 3 branches across the forehead, cheek, and chin. Over the past 4 weeks the pain and left facial droop has improved but I am still unable to blink, smile, flare nostril on the left. I've worked to stay positive and continue to live life with patience, which is the biggest lesson learned from this experience.