Question: Hi,
I am a 24 year old female recovering from an episode of Bells Palsy. It started nearly a month ago on the right side of the face, when I first felt an earache sensation, followed by temporary paralysis.

I was prescribed valasycovir (apologies for the spelling) and prednisone, both of which I’m off now. I also attend physical therapy twice weekly as recommended by my doctor.

The paralysis is basically gone, I still have some very very slight immobility in the mouth area, which is basically unnoticeable to everyone except me and my physical therapist, and I have no trouble chewing or speaking.

However, in the last couple of weeks I’ve started to feel a pressure and sensation around the right ear, that radiates around the jaw and neck. It’s not painful and it doesn’t prevent me from sleeping, although if I’ve slept on it funny I have woken myself from an aching feeling to fall asleep in a more comfortable position.

When I’ve brought this up to my physical therapist they’ve recommended neck stretches and massages, but I’m not sure if it’s helping.

Is this sensation a normal part of recovery? Will the neck stretches and massages help the nerves?

Thank you for your quick response Dr. Spaho. I went first to an urgent care back when I had the first ear ache, and was mistakenly told I had an ear infection and given Amoxicillin. After a couple days of no relief and Bells Palsy setting in, I went to my doctor who told me about BP and gave me the new meds and was directed to stop taking the amoxicillin.

I see them again in a few days, so I will let them know and see what we can figure out then. I’ve never had an ear infection before, so I’m not sure if the sensation is that or not.