Bells Palsy a precursor to Lyme

Hello, I just had a friend call me. He was sick for a week (not deathly ill) and recovered but then a few days later one side of his face became numb.

I know have read that it people should be tested for lyme if that happens but I can't seem to find anything that says too much about it.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Bells Palsy is not a precursor to Lyme's it is a symptom of Lyme's. If you live in a Lyme's endemic area than as my LLMD puts it "you have Lymes until proven otherwise.

Bell's Palsy is indeed paralysis of one side of the face it comes from inflamation to the cranial nerve that runs to that area. with Lyme's disease we know that it loves nerve tissue so there for it makes sense that it would affect the nerve. That being said it is not always Lyme's viruses can cause it and indeed if you go to the avg MD they will give you an antiviral prednisone and tell you it is probably a viral infection you should be fine in 2 weeks. I would if there is any way possible get to someone who deals with Lyme's right away.

My mother was actually dealing with bells palsy episodes and headaches for 5 years before figuring out it was Lyme's all along. Please do not put it off. If they were already sick and then developed bells palsy it should be a red flag.

Nick

I actually feel like Bell's Palsy (especially along or after a flu-like illness) is one of those few telltales signs of Lyme that even the most non-LLMD might pursue as Lyme - sort of like a Bullseye rash except the disease is probably more advanced at that point than with the rash. I personally spoke to a doctor (nonLLMD) in an endemic area that said that unless the person has a bullseye rash, bell's palsy or a like a swollen knee, she does't test for Lyme. Cuckoo, I know! Also, it's not a precursor but rather a symptom.

Numb face on one side was one of my early symptoms. Would happen off and on to me and would last 1/2 day or so. Cleared up once I started to treat for lyme. If they suspect lyme then test and treat, the longer you wait the harder it becomes to treat.

Post Edited (Kirky98) : 11/2/2016 7:17:29 PM (GMT-6)

dacarte3 said...

Kirky98 said...
Numb face on one side was one of my early symptoms. Would happen off and on to me and would last 1/2 day or so. Cleared up once I started to treat for lyme. If they suspect lyme then test and treat if results are positive, the longer you wait the harder it becomes to treat.

Yes left side of face for me too. Didn't last the whole day but happened off and on. Luckily it's one of those symptoms that seemed to go away for almost all lymies after treatment begins.

yup! then followed by my left arm started to go numb and then leg muscles got all tight and could not walk for a few days. Took 9 months to figure out it was lyme...

Navigator said...
"If you live in a Lyme's endemic area than as my LLMD puts it "you have Lymes until proven otherwise.""

That is one scary statement for someone in the medical field to make.

Would you take your car to someone for repair who said "Engines go bad you need a new engine until someone can prove otherwise"....

navigator would you go to a mechanic who said its broke just cause its broke and we dont know why nor or we going to troubleshoot and if it was the engine we will give you 30 days of oil changes and your pistons will be fine?

i know 3 people who have had palsy as a sympom of msids

Best of luck with helping them, Laker. Do let us know if we can be of help. And do invite them to join our community!

Wonderful! And thank you! Maybe if he reads some of our stories, he will be more inclined to listen and ask you questions.

Look at it this way - the failure was not on your part. You planted a seed that may still grow. And remember that Lyme is so controversial that many just can't bring themselves to believe the truth of it all, because - well, because how could doctors be so wrong? But, there are many that are starting to see that they definitely can be and will learn to search out the truth.

Remain open to this friend, as they may turn to you when they simply don't get enough help from their regular doctor.

Thanks, guys, you're right. I had to go to 6 doctors and then finally a medical intuitive who finally told me I had Lyme. A little unconventional approach but I was desperate. The stars lined up and the day I called my LLMD she had just gotten a cancellation and I got in two weeks later.

I was pretty sick by the time I was diagnosed. He's not there yet, hopefully, he will get the proper treatment before he gets really sick.

This is very interesting. I had a year of on and off Bell's palsy (left side) ten years ago that was precipitated by a yellow fever vaccine. It is in my official medical record as a vaccine injury (probable Guillain Barre). However, I've had chronic illness for about as long and just received my Lyme-positive results this week. I also get the numb left arm ALL THE TIME!