Postpartum Bells Palsy?

[BabyLove1]

Anyone have any experience with this??

I came down with Bells Palsy a week after my latest DD was born and now have partial facial paralysis on the left side of my face. Luckily, I still have SOME movement, but it's very little. I'm also fortunate that my face isn't drooping - so as long as I"m not talking, I look normal. However, now my left ear has become REALLY sensitive and I can't taste right on the left side of my mouth.

I came down with it last Friday morning, got right into the ER and onto steroids and anti-virals within 10 hours. 2 CT Scans confirmed it's not a stroke, so they are 100% sure it's Bells, but I didn't get this sensitive ear until today and I would have thought, having been on the meds for 4 days now, that it wouldn't have gotten any worse...

Just wondering if anyone had this happen PP and how long it took to get some relief? The docs told me anywhere from a few days to 6 weeks for full recovery...with a small chance of it being permanent...

[GA1977]

I have a client who's daughter developed Bells after giving birth. unfortunately she never fully recovered (face is still drooped) I think its been 6-7 years now. She has improved. Hope you recover quickly!!!

[DucksLikeRain]

Last October one of my BFFs developed bells palsy after delivery. Hers was severe-her left eye watered constantly, she couldn't hardly smell out of the left side of her nose, she drooled horribly and was so embarrassed if anyone just popped in to say hi and see the baby. She was told 1-6 weeks. And then sent back to neurology when 12 weeks had come and gone with little to no improvement. It's been 18 months now and her eye has the slightest droop, if you didn't know her before you wouldn't know it wasn't always there-and she has a slightly lopsided smile. The left corner of her mouth doesn't quite lit as high as the right. If she gets really exhausted it becomes more pronounced but for the most part it doesn't impact her daily life any longer. I think her little boy was just turning one before things started to improve for her. But hers was also one of the worst the university hospital neuro head had ever seen.

[tmbg1022]

I don't have any experience with Bells Palsy, but oddly enough I came across this yesterday when I was searching for info on swelling during pregnancy. Here's the link but also the relevant info since I knew where it was in the comment thread:

http://www.circleofmoms.com/welcome-to-circle-of-moms/any-help-to-reduce-feet-swelling-during-pregnancy-323832

"I am 29 weeks and have had no swelling problems this time arround. Here is why- I have been eating all kinds of food that grows on a vine. Squash, zuccini, all kinds of mellon, and tomatoes. I eat either zuccini or squash with almost every dinner and have mellon for a snack. My best friend got bells palsy with her most recent pregnancy due to all of her swelling. Her doctor had no answers and said it "may" go away after the baby was born. She ate what I suggested and her bells palsy was gone in a week! Her doctor could not believe it. These foods all help your body cary extra fluid out in a natural way. Congratulations, and enjoy while these foods are in season."

Maybe it would help? Zucchini is easy to prepare and cantaloupe is so tasty; it might be worth a try.