My journey with Bell's Palsy

The information in this guidebook is based on my personal experiences and is not a substitute for medical advice.

Any links to third-party resources are provided for the reader’s convenience. Before making any health-related decisions, please consult with a qualified medical professional.

I do not accept responsibility for the consequences of actions taken based on the information within this guidebook.

Copyright © 2023 Kirsten Bamboulis. All rights reserved.

My story Diagnosis and reaction The effects Recovery and treatment Resources Lessons Support and connections How I am now?

My Bell’s Palsy journey began on the morning of the 21st of September 2018. At the time, I was 20 years old and woke up with no movement on the right side of my face. I was absolutely terrified thinking that I was having a stroke.

Later that day, my father and I found ourselves seeking medical assistance from professionals. I was then diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy and given a prescription for antivirals and steroids.

Bell’s Palsy affects both females and males equally and can occur at any age. However, data collected from, Stuffthatworks.health suggests that the most common occurrence happens between the ages 32 to 54. The website, Facialpalsy.org.uk states that Bell’s Palsy is an inflammatory condition that affects the seventh cranial nerve.

The inflammation surrounding the seventh cranial nervous system eventually causes facial paralysis as a result of the pressure placed on them.

Bell’s Palsy is not considered to be permanent, however long-term effects and rare cases may occur.

When I was diagnosed my case was considered moderate. However, I was unfamiliar with Bell’s Palsy and experienced a large sense of disorientation, lacking any valuable information to guide me through the recovery process.

Bell’s Palsy can bring many mental, emotional and physical challenges, such as...

Everyone’s journey to recovery is different. While some cases are more severe than others, and they may cause long-term effects, others may recover fully.

It is critical to seek medical attention and receive a prescription for a period of time to begin the recovery process. After onset, most patients begin to show signs of recovery within a few weeks or months. It is important to note that you should not force your muscles to move and only begin facial exercises once movement has returned. Forcing movement could lead to long-term complications such as synkinesis.

Since Bell’s Palsy is a condition that has no single cause and can affect anyone differently, finding effective treatments can be challenging.

Please consult with a medical professional before deciding on any treatments. Treatment options based on reports from members of the Stuffthatworks.health community include:

Support comes in many forms. Although the people around you may not understand the effects of Bell’s Palsy you are never alone. In my opinion, the best support is from individuals going through similar experiences because they are the people who will understand you the most. An essential support connection that can help your experience be a little easier is through in-person and online support groups along with medical professionals.

Your family and friends can also provide you with a sense of comfort.

I used to get extremely frustrated and upset with my family members but I eventually understood that they were only concerned and wanted to make sure I was okay.

I know this experience can be terrifying and exhausting but please do not give up. For more information regarding Bell’s Palsy please seek medical advice from professionals.

Other resources include: Facebook groups.

Www.Stuffthatworks.health Www.Facialpalsy.org.uk In person and virtual support groups (you can find information for virtual support groups on www.Facialpalsy.org.uk).

The NHS.

Always put your health first!

It may have come as a frightening and sudden change in my life, but Bell’s palsy taught me many things. My experience with Bell’s Palsy taught me to never assume anything about people since the toughest battles aren’t always visible.

There is always a brighter side to dark storms.

Despite recovering and gaining much of my facial movement back 5 years later, in 2023, I still suffer from some complications from Bell’s Palsy. This is my journey...

This guidebook narrates my journey with Bell’s Palsy, offering my perspective on the challenges and milestones associated with the medical condition. Suited for individuals going through similar experiences, it aims to provide a sense of a friend and a source of guidance. The contents detail my experience and valuable information from resources, providing insights that may resonate with those seeking comfort and understanding in their journey.

KIRSTEN B DESIGNS Graphic designer | Visual storyteller