Coping With Bell's Palsy

I am currently going through my 2nd round of Bell’s Palsy. The sources I’ve read online say only about 10% of sufferers have a recurrence.

My 1st bout of Bell’s Palsy came in April 2000 when I was teaching in an alternative school. I had noticed on my way to work that morning that my lips where starting to feel numb. By that evening, I couldn’t move the right side of my mouth. Over the next day, I lost the ability to close my right eye and had to tape it shut to sleep at night. I continued teaching but the students were merciless in their comments about my slurred speech and my one eye that didn’t blink. Anyway, the condition mostly cleared up in a few months. I still can’t raise my right eyebrow without using the left, and my smile is crooked.

So, a week ago I was telling a co-worked about my experience with Bell’s Palsey in 2007 and how it was something I’d never want to go through again. As, I was driving home that night, I noticed my left eye wouldn’t close and the left side of my lip wouldn’t raise as high as it should. Over the next 2 days, my facial muscles on the left got so weak that I could barely move my lips and my left eye won’t close. I went to my doctor who verified that the dreaded Palsey had hit me again. One of the worst symptoms for me this time is that I have no sense of taste on the left half of my tongue. But, I’m speaking a little better than 7 years ago and I don’t have to tape my eye shut at night. I’m just praying for a quicker & full recovery this time.