Guest guest Posted April 10, 2002 Report Share Posted April 10, 2002 Wow. It might be that you're experiencing Bell's Palsy. It occurs with more frequency in pregnancy that it does in the general population. I had it when I was 7.5 months pregnant and I have some very specific suggestions, which I'd be glad to share, but first you need to see a doctor (ASAP), because this shouldn't be self-diagnosed and it's not a dermatological problem. That said, I'll tell you what I know about Bell's because it may (or may not) help you describe what's happening to your doctor. Bell's Palsy usually occurs on one side of the face or the other. It is only very rarely bilateral (on both sides). There is debate about the cause in pregnancy -- some believe that is a matter of swelling crushing a nerve (like carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy), but a few years ago, a Japanese study found Herpes Simplex I (the virus that causes cold sores) in 7 of ten samples taken of the facial nerve in Bell's patients. This indicates that it might be a herpes infection of that nerve (it's facial nerve #7, I think, which enters the facial area through a tiny hole in the skull right in front of the ear...) As you probably know, many people carry different kinds of herpes viruses dormant in the their system until something triggers them... it appears pregnancy may do that for some people. Bell's has a couple of other indicators... often there is an unusual ear ache with pain right in front of the ear (on the same side as the numbness) and there may also be an altered sense of taste, including a funny metallic taste in the mouth (like sucking on a penny!). Continued numbness may lead to muscular paralysis in the face, including drooping muscles, inability to blink, control lips, etc. If treatment is sought right away, this is usually temporary. Bell's can, however, lead to permanent facial paralysis, so it's really important that you see your OB-GYN (right away!). Considering the fact you're pregnant, this is not a dermatological problem. Any sort of potential neurological problem in pregnancy should be checked out immediately. Suzi __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2002 Report Share Posted April 10, 2002 Wow. It might be that you're experiencing Bell's Palsy. It occurs with more frequency in pregnancy that it does in the general population. I had it when I was 7.5 months pregnant and I have some very specific suggestions, which I'd be glad to share, but first you need to see a doctor (ASAP), because this shouldn't be self-diagnosed and it's not a dermatological problem. That said, I'll tell you what I know about Bell's because it may (or may not) help you describe what's happening to your doctor. Bell's Palsy usually occurs on one side of the face or the other. It is only very rarely bilateral (on both sides). There is debate about the cause in pregnancy -- some believe that is a matter of swelling crushing a nerve (like carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy), but a few years ago, a Japanese study found Herpes Simplex I (the virus that causes cold sores) in 7 of ten samples taken of the facial nerve in Bell's patients. This indicates that it might be a herpes infection of that nerve (it's facial nerve #7, I think, which enters the facial area through a tiny hole in the skull right in front of the ear...) As you probably know, many people carry different kinds of herpes viruses dormant in the their system until something triggers them... it appears pregnancy may do that for some people. Bell's has a couple of other indicators... often there is an unusual ear ache with pain right in front of the ear (on the same side as the numbness) and there may also be an altered sense of taste, including a funny metallic taste in the mouth (like sucking on a penny!). Continued numbness may lead to muscular paralysis in the face, including drooping muscles, inability to blink, control lips, etc. If treatment is sought right away, this is usually temporary. Bell's can, however, lead to permanent facial paralysis, so it's really important that you see your OB-GYN (right away!). Considering the fact you're pregnant, this is not a dermatological problem. Any sort of potential neurological problem in pregnancy should be checked out immediately. Suzi __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2002 Report Share Posted April 10, 2002 It's impossible to diagnose over the Web, but I wasn't impressed with the original poster's symptoms as being Bell's Palsy. But your point is well taken: a diagnosis by a physician, especially to distinguish neurologic vs dermatologic problems and especially during pregnancy, is important. Marjorie Marjorie Lazoff, MD > Wow. > > It might be that you're experiencing Bell's Palsy. It > occurs with more frequency in pregnancy that it does > in the general population. > > I had it when I was 7.5 months pregnant and I have > some very specific suggestions, which I'd be glad to > share, but first you need to see a doctor (ASAP), > because this shouldn't be self-diagnosed and it's not > a dermatological problem. > > That said, I'll tell you what I know about Bell's > because it may (or may not) help you describe what's > happening to your doctor. > > Bell's Palsy usually occurs on one side of the face or > the other. It is only very rarely bilateral (on both > sides). > > There is debate about the cause in pregnancy -- some > believe that is a matter of swelling crushing a nerve > (like carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnancy), but a few > years ago, a Japanese study found Herpes Simplex I > (the virus that causes cold sores) in 7 of ten samples > taken of the facial nerve in Bell's patients. This > indicates that it might be a herpes infection of that > nerve (it's facial nerve #7, I think, which enters the > facial area through a tiny hole in the skull right in > front of the ear...) As you probably know, many people > carry different kinds of herpes viruses dormant in the > their system until something triggers them... it > appears pregnancy may do that for some people. > > Bell's has a couple of other indicators... often there > is an unusual ear ache with pain right in front of the > ear (on the same side as the numbness) and there may > also be an altered sense of taste, including a funny > metallic taste in the mouth (like sucking on a > penny!). > > Continued numbness may lead to muscular paralysis in > the face, including drooping muscles, inability to > blink, control lips, etc. If treatment is sought right > away, this is usually temporary. > > Bell's can, however, lead to permanent facial > paralysis, so it's really important that you see your > OB-GYN (right away!). Considering the fact you're > pregnant, this is not a dermatological problem. Any > sort of potential neurological problem in pregnancy > should be checked out immediately. > > > Suzi > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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