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Is Headache A Symptom Of Bells Palsey?

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Posted on Mon, 9 Feb 2015
Question: Hi I was diagnosed with bells palsey on nov 3 had facial paralysis on right side of my face. It has improved a good bit my eye still waters a lot with slight droopiness my mouth still draws a good bit. I have terrible headach es with tenderness in my head on top an right side down behind ear tingle feeling in my face more at times than others. I had 2 rounds of steroids an antiviral meds at first 2 weeks had ct scan show nothing had a mri which showed faint enhancement in right auditory interna l canal I have had chripractior treatment and some therapy on my face. So my question is this normal symptons for bells palsey the tenderness in my head and the pain is intense more some days than others. thanks sherri
doctor
Answered by Dr. Geldon Fejzo (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Bells palsy is not the reason of your headache

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX I have been through your question and understand your concern.

While Bells palsy is not an uncommon event you did all the right procedures starting with steroids which have the most benefitial effects on the palsy, while antivirals seem not have much effect.

The MRI features are within normal findings because generally there is an inflammation of the facial nerve passing through the acoustic canal the cause of the palsy and this inflammation is what is seen in the MRI.

Headache instead is not common in Bells palsy, and neither steroids cause it. Headache has many causes and since you found some hypersignal on the first MRI, I recommend a second MRI to rule out any extension of the hypersignal which could be the cause of the headache and tenderness.

If it is normal, then I would not worry. Meanwhile use simple acetaminophen for treating the headache.

Hope this helps. Please feel free for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Geldon Fejzo (48 hours later)
okay, thanks. do you have any suggestions for me to do to get better from the bells palsey any quicker. any suggestions would b great thanks

sherri
doctor
Answered by Dr. Geldon Fejzo (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
physiotherapy

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX At this point the only thing you can do is physical activity of the muscles of your face, like standing in front of a mirror and blink, smile, show the teeth, wrinkle your forehad muscles. Do these procedures for 30 min twice a day. You should improve in a few weeks time. Hope this helps.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Geldon Fejzo

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 337 Questions

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Is Headache A Symptom Of Bells Palsey?

Brief Answer: Bells palsy is not the reason of your headache Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX I have been through your question and understand your concern. While Bells palsy is not an uncommon event you did all the right procedures starting with steroids which have the most benefitial effects on the palsy, while antivirals seem not have much effect. The MRI features are within normal findings because generally there is an inflammation of the facial nerve passing through the acoustic canal the cause of the palsy and this inflammation is what is seen in the MRI. Headache instead is not common in Bells palsy, and neither steroids cause it. Headache has many causes and since you found some hypersignal on the first MRI, I recommend a second MRI to rule out any extension of the hypersignal which could be the cause of the headache and tenderness. If it is normal, then I would not worry. Meanwhile use simple acetaminophen for treating the headache. Hope this helps. Please feel free for further questions.