Any other sufferers - esp if chronic and med-resistant - ever suffered from Bell's Palsy?

Rosa's thread in the Medications Forum (START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE) got me thinking....

Gary suffered from several "bouts" of Bell's Palsy back in 2000/2001.  He covered so much ground in the first meeting with the Montefiore neuro that I forgot to ask about it before we left, but he did say he thinks Gary could still have BP.  Unfortunately we haven't been to a competent Infectious Disease doc yet, and from what I just looked up, it seems that a blood test would NOT have turned up the virus responsible for Bell's Palsy, and apparently that has to be done with a spinal that still hasn't been ordered by anyone.  BUT it also seemed it could be a cause of fevers.  I haven't found references to how high temps can go, and I just don't remember whether he had an associated fever back in 2000/2001.

I DO know that Bell's Palsy is "likely" the HSV-1 virus causing an inflammation of the 7th cranial nerve.  But the paralysis of his face was on the same side that he experiences the CH attacks.  However,  prednisone provided rather quick relief with the palsy, but pred, dexamethasone, occipital nerve blocks (don't know what steroid was used) and solumedrol provide no relief for the CH.  So I don't know what to think.

We're rescheduled for the neuro this Thurs, so it's now on my "ask about this" list.  

In the meantime, I'm wondering if anyone else with CH has had Bell's Palsy?

Thanks,

Laurie

Yup, Bell's Palsy when I was about 19 or 20. Nasty, complete loss of muscle control on the left side of my face. Long series of B12(?) shots and it cleared up. Took about a year, but only I could really tell after about 4-5 months.

Had TWO CH hits on right side when I was 25, then nothing until my early 40's when I went from zero to chronic in one day. At 55 still chronic, but pretty well controlled now with RC seeds and O2. CH's have always been right side only for me.

I have always need really big doses of any medication I've ever taken, but not med resistant at all at the right dose.

.No remnants of BP that I can detect

Edit: Now that you made me think about it, my left eyelid does droop. Thought it was just old saggy skin and fat - maybe not.

Yep.  Two years ago. It took about 6 months to get over.  Left eye lid still droops.  Sometimes I still get a strange tingle on the left side of my face near my mouth and nose.

Always concerned its coming back.  

I'm Chronic

Echo - you med resistant?  Is your CH on the left side?  You already had CH when you had the BP?

Thanks,

Laurie

Hi!

Yes, I had BP roughly 15 years ago.  It took months to get over..........had to tape my eye shut every night, etc.  The CH started around 5 years ago.  Both were/are on the right side of my face only.  If you look closely, you can see a mild 'droopiness'............eyelid, cheek, etc., on my right side.

I also had sinus surgery over 25 years ago...........also on the right side of my face.  I did ask my neuro about both..............he insisted that neither the surgery or the BP had anything to do with my CH.

?????

I, too, am chronic.

Debbie