Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register
Clusterheadaches.com
 
Search box updated Dec 3, 2011... Search ch.com with Google!
  HomeHelpSearchLoginRegisterEvent CalendarBirthday List  
 





Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print
Bell's Palsey and Cluster Headaches (Read 807 times)
Fred
CH.com Newbie
*
Offline


I Love CH.com!


Posts: 6
Las Vegas, NV 
Gender: male
Bell's Palsey and Cluster Headaches
Dec 12th, 2009 at 9:04pm
 
Since I haven't seen anything related to this in about 4 wks of browsing messages here, I just have to ask.
Have any CH'ers ever had Bells Palsey?
If so, was it before or after your first Cluster attach?
I had Bell's Palsey about a year or so before my first CH episode, and they are both on the same side.(left) Both seem to be associated with the trigeminal nerve, and I can't help but wonder if they are related somehow, but my Nuero says no.
Some of the old symptoms of the Bells come back when I get hit, i.e., sensitive ear, watery eye, runny nose, droopy eye, etc. I would like to hear from anyone who has had both Bell's and CH.
I am in my 4th month of this episode, looks like it might be going chronic, sure hope not. Can't seem to kick them all the way, but couldn't get by without my O2. Dr. has started me on lithium(after much reluctance on my part), 600 mg a day, so we'll see if that helps. Previous episodes were only 6-8 wks, so not sure if this is normal or not.
Thanks so much to everyone on this site, you have been so helpful and supportive.

Hoping for PFDAN soon
Fred
Back to top
  

Mom always said life was a bowl of cherries, she didn't tell me it was the pits.
 
IP Logged
 
Karla
CH.com Alumnus
***
Offline


One of Many and Never
Alone - Join OUCH


Posts: 3837
x1|Madison WI USA
Gender: female
Re: Bell's Palsey and Cluster Headaches
Reply #1 - Dec 12th, 2009 at 10:01pm
 
I haven't heard this mentioned that I can remember ever on the board.  You say, "Some of the old symptoms of the Bells come back when I get hit, i.e., sensitive ear, watery eye, runny nose, droopy eye, etc. ".  These sound like clasic ch symptoms.  Dont know about Bells palsy symtoms.  Maybe you are getting a double dose I dont know.  I took 900mg of lithium.  600 sounds like a good dose to start at.   By the way you are not chronic until you have gone a year in cycle with less than a months break.  So you have a ways to go yet.  Stop worring and take it one day at a time.  good luck. 
Back to top
  

Karla&&suffer chronic ch &&ch.com groupie since 1999&&Proud Mom of Chris USMC Semper Fi
Karlak_1313  
IP Logged
 
Callico
CH.com Hall of Famer
*****
Offline


Author of "Stranded at
Romson's Lodge


Posts: 4916
Aurora IL
Gender: male
Re: Bell's Palsey and Cluster Headaches
Reply #2 - Dec 14th, 2009 at 12:23am
 
Those are typical CH symptoms, and are not necessarily related to Bell's.  I frequently get the same symptoms, to the point I can't eat or drink for a couple of hours until the numbness in the lips and cheek dissipate.  It makes one look rather strange when it hits in public.

As Karla said, don't worry about going chronic just yet.  If you happen to go chronic it isn't the end of the world.  You just adapt and live your life.  It also alleviates the fear of the beast coming back.  You know when it will hit and can order your life accordingly.  Been chronic now for about 7 yrs after 25 or so episodic.  I'd rather stay chronic unless they go away for good, but then I'd still be looking over my shoulder just waiting for a hit.

Jerry
Back to top
  

"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a piece of dung by the clean end." Texas A&M Student (unknown)
Jerry Callison  
IP Logged
 
Jeannie
CH.com Sponsor
***
Offline


Live, Laugh, Love....


Posts: 2333
St Louis, Missouri
Gender: female
Re: Bell's Palsey and Cluster Headaches
Reply #3 - Dec 14th, 2009 at 9:14am
 
I always have a droopy eye when getting hit.  This cycle, however, my droopiness has taken over more of my face.  It is noticeable in my eyebrow and cheek even between hits.  I'm taking steroids right now and the longer I go between HA's the more I'm looking like my normal self!

Jeannie
Back to top
  

"It's all a grand illusion when you think you're in control." ~ Kenny Chesney
 
IP Logged
 
Fred
CH.com Newbie
*
Offline


I Love CH.com!


Posts: 6
Las Vegas, NV 
Gender: male
Re: Bell's Palsey and Cluster Headaches
Reply #4 - Dec 18th, 2009 at 6:31pm
 
Thanks for the responses, I have been wondering about this for a while. I did have Bells before I had any CH, so the symptoms were originaly from that, but are more pronounced with the CH episodes.
The lithuim seems to be mellowing things out a bunch, just hope it stays that way. Actually getting 6 hrs sleep now.

Back to top
  

Mom always said life was a bowl of cherries, she didn't tell me it was the pits.
 
IP Logged
 
Marc
Ex Member
****




Gender: male
Re: Bell's Palsey and Cluster Headaches
Reply #5 - Dec 19th, 2009 at 10:28am
 
Fred,

I had Bells Palsy in my late teens on the left side - opposite side from my CH's. My Doc at the time said that it was prevalent in people who burn the candle at both ends.

I never had any symptoms aside from the massive drooping and complete lack of facial muscle control and numbness on the side of my face.

It cleared up completely because of my youth I suspect, but they gave me weekly B12 shots. Now, at 56 years old, my left eye does droop - don't know if it's related but I suspect so. I met other people who got when they were older and ended up with permanent droop.

Marc
Back to top
  
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print

DISCLAIMER: All information contained on this web site is for informational purposes only.  It is in no way intended to be used as a replacement for professional medical treatment.   clusterheadaches.com makes no claims as to the scientific/clinical validity of the information on this site OR to that of the information linked to from this site.  All information taken from the internet should be discussed with a medical professional!