BPU Fitgirl15's Bell's Palsy Update: 1 year & 4 months - GOOD ADVICE!

[Gwenlj]

I agree with everything you said. I have had BP for two years. Your body heals on its own. But I can say this Bells has a lot to do with stress. It is caused by a viral. Yoga anything with calming affects helps. Also removing negative people from my life that were stressing me out helped. I am still healing and my face is still coming back. I go to the Gym,eat healthy and take a lot of B12. The body heals slowly and a full recovery will come! :D

[buttersyrupnpancakes]

raw is better, use a blender. that way the vitamins and chi stay in the food.

[jschrauwen]

Accupuncture was not even discussed by my doctors during my current bout with BP.

I'm now into my 9th month.

First bout with BP was over 15 years ago and I made a full recovery in 5 weeks.

I still can't whistle. I still have a hard time eating. I still can't drink properly from a glass. I still can't smile right. Still have only one eyebrow movement. I now however, don't need to wear sunglasses fulltime during the daylight hours (indoor or out).

[FitGirl15]

@jschrauwen Western doctors typically do not suggest Chinese Wholistic techniques as a form of therapy! (It's so sad!) Western Medicine thinks there is a drug to cure everything... not true!

My whistle is SLOWLY returning too. Last week nothing, but this week, I am able to make a few recognizable notes! Not sure if it's recovery or if I'm getting good at changing the shape of my tongue to compensate! HAHA

PS... my eyebrow took about 8 months to return also. Now, it's at 90%! Keep hope!

[mykinfoknew]

You are an absolute inspiration to young girls everywhere struggling to live up to the so called "beauty" that we are bombarded with on a daily basis. You also are an inspiration to those who know their own bodies and wish not to follow doctors orders but willing to put in the hard work to get their desired results.

You inspire me. From an aspiring Osteopath.

[FitGirl15]

@mykinfoknew Thank you sooo much for your kind words! I am so glad I inspire others! I am glad that by putting up these videos of me at my worst, I will prove to others that with faith & positivity, anything is possible!

[elchipoable1]

I want to say thank you for your videos I have 2 weeks with b.p the first days I was feeling afraid for this situation my left side was paralyzed when i see your videos I felt hope after 2 weeks i"m feeling better thanks for be a very nice person God bless you. :)

[nagicles]

yes yes ,It's seem occur from stress like you and my doctor said .Okay...now I will try to reduce my stress.Thank you a lot :))

[kennyjacks1]

hello Jessica, i have BP for the past three days and would like to know what to do in order for the pain around the ear to subside. This is just why i want to go and see a doctor to avoid saying in case i had known. I believe you that time will cure itself. Thanks for your videos because before seeing them i was very worried but now i'm already visualising how to manage the situation. My dad told me to take alot of vitamine B tablets. I would like to know how the nerve pains you had disappeared.

[bonzereoc]

I cant even tell any more,..

[FitGirl15]

@bonzereoc ...I have the squinty eye too... @1:30, throughout the video actually.

[chantals44]

@FitGirl15 hi jessica my name is chantal i've had bell's palsy for two years now and i haven't gotten treatment for the past three years,now i'm 20 yrs old and i want my face back to its normal way and i'm asking do u think that bc i waited so long to get treatment,do u think with the therapy and medicine ill get it back? even though its been 2yrs without treatment?

[FitGirl15]

@chantals44 The medicine that they give people at onset of BP is typically a steroid and an anti-viral. Since after 2 years, the virus will definitely be gone, there is NO point in taking the anti-viral. Also, after 2 years, the inflammation caused by the virus will also be significantly reduced (If not gone altogether)

My opinion is that medicine will NOT help you recover any more at this time.

But therapy MIGHT get you some mobility and strength back in your affected facial muscles.

[rrdemas]

Jessica, thanks for the videos and congrats on the great progress. My wife had Bell's last year and we appreciated your inspiration. One point I will make for all reading is that medicine in this area does NOT guarantee a quick fix, but I think it is very important to understand that quick use of antivirals and steroids can make a difference in your recovery - not certainly, but they can. Not taking them in my opinion is a mistake. There is no evidence that these treatments harm recovery.

[FitGirl15]

@rrdemas Personally, I had a lot of side effects from taking the drugs. I would not take them again as my body didn't seem to handle them very well. It's hard to say if they helped me more then they hindered me... but for me, it was not a good idea.

To each their own! Listen to your body and do what is right for you!

[raiderettedoll]

My best friend is dealing with bells palsy and is having a hard time for me to go and visit her.what can I do to make her feel better?I txt her everyday but I really want to hug her and support her as much as I can.Any advice

[FitGirl15]

@raiderettedoll Some people don't understand the embarrassment we who fall ill with this condition feel! It is very hard to explain, but we feel like we have turned into a monster, and it is scary to face people (even our friends and loved ones) because we fear being judged as "ugly" or "retarded".

... maybe telling your friend about my videos will help her see that she too will get better... it does take time, but that shutting out the positive support from others will not help her recover!

[rlouks2]

Very inspirational transformation! Way to stay positive and encourage others! PS thanks for the info...studying this condition right now and it's great to see you being so upbeat and sharing your progress!

[oliolioopsie2294]

I got BP about 5 years ago, and I was an absolute wreck; still am. I lost so much self-esteem because of it, but your optimism has definitely lifted my spirits. I look 20x better than the initial strike, but I do wish my face could restore 100%. :[

Keep going girl :]

[cristicatalan]

I wish to thank you for all your videos. There is so little "official" information out there on the recovery process from facial palsy, but maybe that's because all cases are different.

I've been watching many of your videos, and I know you had taste disturbance in the beginning. How is that now?

4 month after the onset, because of the nerve, I have:

- weak muscle movements (no nose until now and the eyebrow just began)

- bad taste

- no tears (lacrimal gland does not function yet)

- ear problem

[FitGirl15]

@cristicatalan I got my taste back after about 1 month, maybe 1.5 months.

My eyebrow took the LONGEST to return, but is doing great now! Still a bit slower to respond but movement is about 90% of the good eyebrow.

I always had LOTS of tears. For your safety, please wear an eye patch! Buy some Lacrilube and use it frequently!

What is your ear problem? Having a problem hearing? The hearing nerve and the facial nerve are very close to each other? This is normal and will resolve! Be patient!

[merceditas2009]

i got bells palsy 3 times and got synkenises. like you my face is asymetrical and have facial weakness and it really bothers me.

[kini22222]

I aplaude you for all of your videos. I was diagnosed with BP one month ago. Your videos have helped me to calm down and realize that I will get better. You look amazing, and I am happy that you have recovered. I did want to tell you about an exercise I found on the bells palsy.org website that may help your "squinty" eye: Take the back side of your index finger (the fingernail side) and hold down your eye lid. Using your other hand, gently stretch your eye muscles upward by your eyebrow.

[eazypeezy]

I agree that acupuncture does not work. I have facial nerve damage and I was desperate to try something after it had been 11 months and I had it one time and it made things 50 times worse, my lips have started receding at an excel-orating rate. And my GPs are useless and now have no idea what to do.

[FitGirl15]

@eazypeezy YIKES! After 11 months, I'd think that acupuncture could do NO HARM to your mostly healed facial nerve! Did they apply stimulation to the needles? I think THAT is what causes the problems! 

!!!!!!!!!!Electro-stimulation on the face is just plain SCARYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!

I agree, GP's don't know anything about BP. Lots of them will actually have to pull out a text book to diagnose a patient with it! SAD!!! Have you considered seeing a chiropractor about your case?

[eazypeezy]

@FitGirl15 I haven't got Bp, but have got facial nerve damage which is very painful and I just watched some of your videos and you said alternative medication/acupuncture isn't the answer and I would agree because it has made things a lot, lot worse like my face feels very painful and weak. Even though it was only one session of acupuncture. There was no stimulation but a lot of heat as she used a heat lamp.

[threeguns03]

The first time i've got BP almost 2 months ago ..

Your movies clip really help me a lot to my revocery ...

Thanks God now I'm almost recovery ...

I pray for your health ...

[FitGirl15]

@threeguns03 You are so lucky! Your recovery has been so fast! I'm glad my videos gave you hope!

[FitGirl15]

@threeguns03 You are so lucky! Your recovery has been so fast! I'm glad my videos gave you hope!

[aceofpaynes]

I am on day 5 , so everything is new and weird. Thanks Jessica your videos have been great and possitive and given me a lot of encouragement. I am surprised how many people are affected by this and had so much encouragment and understanding. Thankyou for taking the time out to do these videos.

[FitGirl15]

@aceofpaynes You are welcome! The whole thing was new and weird for me too! I'm glad I had the foresight to video tape the whole process and share my experiences with others! So much is unknown about Bell's Palsy, and so many people hide when they are sick with it. I wanted to try to bring awareness to this condition and hopefully touch the lives of others who need some support at a rough time in their lives as well!

[imricki1]

Thanks for posting. I am 20 weeks into this process and I was wondering if acupuncture would help. Sounds like I don't need to waste my money. I have much use of my Bell's face but have lingering issues. Straws are my friend. :) Some letters don't speak correctly and I can't whistle. You have given me hope. Thanks. Like you I am so happy to have recovered as much as I have I will just give thanks to God above for His grace and mercy in this.

[FitGirl15]

@imricki1 Are you STILL stressed out, feeling pain/discomfort due to the virus? If so, acupuncture is an AMAZING stress reliever, it isn't a waste of money at 20 weeks... It was for me at 1 week! But I did feel much less stressed out when I was getting it! I was considering trying it again, I'm now at 1Y5Mo. Can't hurt, right?

You have the right attitude! God Bless you!!!

[cclumist]

I just developed BP last Friday afternoon during work. I was very panics in the weekends. After watching your experiences, I have much relieve now and you actually looks more charming during the year.....

[FitGirl15]

@cclumist You are too sweet! Thank you for your kind words!

Stay calm, you are healing NOW! XOXO

[MariaDMontero]

the reason i said i'm sure is stress is because personally i feel to stress out everyday, and still up to this poing, i have two babis that are 2yeas and 10 months, i love my kids but they stress me out so bad, and i think that is what happend to me. now my questions is ..if its ok to have some neck massage twice a week not to treat BP but to relax my body. would it be ok, i really dont want to suffer from synkensis, do you recomend me not to take med. to treat it or acupunture? pliz let me know

[FitGirl15]

@MariaDMontero YES, massage is a great way to treat/deal with stress!!! I do think it will also help you heal from BP, indirectly. I think SYNKINESIS is actually caused by FACIAL MUSCLE STIMULATION too early in the recovery process. As long as you are not messing with your face too much during the first month of recovery, I do believe your case will resolve much smoother!

Acupuncture is good, but I would NOT allow the TCM to apply stimulation to the needles!

[FitGirl15]

@MariaDMontero YES, massage is a great way to treat/deal with stress!!! I do think it will also help you heal from BP, indirectly. I think SYNKINESIS is actually caused by FACIAL MUSCLE STIMULATION too early in the recovery process. As long as you are not messing with your face too much during the first month of recovery, I do believe your case will resolve much smoother!

Acupuncture is good, but I would NOT allow the TCM to apply stimulation to the needles!

[MariaDMontero]

Hi, i'm so happy to find your video after i saw the massage video, cuz i was going to start doing them tomorrow, This is my second time that it happend to me, the 1srt time i was pregnant so i couldnt take any med. but it only last 3 weeks, this time i'm on my second month and i can see some recovery can leaft my two eyebraws and can kind of move my chik on the affected area, i do beliave and i can said that i am 1oo% sure BP is couse by stress or emotional conditions,.

[snt0]

you look great

[angepangmexican]

Hi Jess, I am very thankful that you posted this. Everything you are saying is exactly the way it is, for me. You have been my rock through you tube through this whole experience. Thank you thank you thank you! I had tears in my eyes just listening to you being so encouraging. Finally someone who understands what I am going through. Thank you!

[FitGirl15]

@angepangmexican You are very welcome! Thank you for listening to me :) Knowing there are others out there like me, having a similar experience/recovery makes me feel better too! Thanks for the comment!

Take Care, life is still good.. even after Bell's Palsy!!! Don't stress!!!

[samsungkid0606]

i would like for you too say my name in the next video or maybe say hi to me in the next video beacause that will really make me happy i have had BP for a while now its recovered 80% i cant belive alot of people have had BP. thanks for the videos i Hope you Get alot of Views =) just for you to know you have a Big thank you from Bosnia Beacuse i live there and i am watching you half way across the world.... you made my day =)

[aria757]

Hi Jessica! You're looking great! I'm so much happy to see you! I thanks you for your videos helped me really, expecially in the first weeks of BP when I was frightened by things that happened to me.

you gave me great help and a positive outlook in life in dealing with BP... thank you so much

God bless you always and take care

[pablodius]

Your facial exercise video led me to all of your other videos, and I wanted to thank you for documenting your journey with bp. I was sad at first, but after 3 short weeks I am almost 100%. A trick for the exercises is to only move your good side as much as the bp side can move. This helped me try to move the bp side more and kept me symmetrical. glad to see that you are looking great!

[achaconcr208]

Hi Jessica, I have been watching your videos since a month ago. I start with B.P on 7/29/11. I am on my 6 week and I already recover my facial movements; I can smile almost evenly and my blinking is 95% good. I just want to THANK YOU, because in the beginning I didn't know what to think or expect. As you said maybe with a pill and therapy will be recover fast. When I saw your videos, I set my mind to : "This is not going to be away quick!!" I did not fall to frustration. Keep positive attitude!

[Elstangerino]

I agree with you. I think facial exercises and trying to force you face to move contributes to synkinysis. I find that the calmer and more relaxed I feel, the more natural my face looks. I have been dealing with this for 13 years and I too have tried everything. Best advice...let you body heal on it's own, don't try to force it.

[n0rep1y]

You look great, fitgirl. You're very lucky to have your face back, it could have been much worse, just view some of the other vids here. In meantime, have you researched this Dr in NYC, facemakernyc dot kom, his before and after photos are promising.

[MrWonkychops]

One of the errrmmm not so fit ladies from your gym probably got embarrassed lol

.... Do you still think about bells palsy every day ?!!!

I do !! Always got tight eye that's why I'm contemplation botox

Does your acupuncture involve connecting low voltage wires to the needles as mine did ??

Xxxx

Are you still contemplating book .. Or just living your life now

XxLOVE xx

[MrWonkychops]

I wish I'd gone on holiday when my son caught chicken pox !!!!!!

Do you think "what if " all time

You seem a positive person so I doubt it

You didn't take the antivirals straight away though did you ?

I remember you 6 week (roughly )

Post saying you just took them when rash appeared ... So western medicine my have worked better for you if taken straight away

Xxxxx

[sonialuz1975]

Everything u are saying is so true. Bells Palsy needs time to heal. I tried everything. From exercise to massage acupunture in the begining and in actuality i was hurting myself than helping myself. U stress urself even more and it takes a longer time to heal. Just relax...think positive...and u will see that u will start to heal little by little. The hardest thing for me was accepting that this could ever happen to me. Now im recovering slowly but surely, so far i say 60%, and u will too.

[zndibsi]

Hi, I have never heard about this ailment until I had it some 10 days ago. I have seen most of your video clips and I admire your effort in helping us to understand Bell's Palsy. Your experience gave me hope that I will too recover to almost 100%.

You are a great inspiration , thanks so much and God bless you.

[FitGirl15]

@zndibsi Hold on to that HOPE! You will recover!!! 

Get plenty of rest, relax, and take your vitamins!!!

Take Care!

~jessica

[MrWonkychops]

I know for me and you the steroids and antivirals didn't work to good but I think were in minority and people should take them ...... Why remove zumba vids ???

Your looking fit and well !!!!

And posh in your new yard :-)))

[FitGirl15]

@MrWonkychops I'll have to post new Zumba vids!... my gym asked me to remove them, for privacy reasons.

I think people need to know that there IS a choice wether taking drugs to heal from this condition is required or that you can choose to let your body heal on it's own!!! (Which it WILL DO!!!) Western Medicine gives people a false sense that they will be CURED in a few days by taking a week worth of meds. BOGUS, in my opinion.

~~If I had to do it again, NO DRUGS for me!

[allyrain]

@FitGirl15

i agree with you, cause in 1975. I hadn't any of that drugs in my country. i took vit B and had some conservative methods of therapy (kind of electroshocks for example).

my face recovered like yours, not at all, with synkensis, I think that I'm the same from that days,I haven't full recovery . but my life was ok, had many love and friendships through my life, especially with my 3 kids.

sending you my love, to all of you with BP.relax and be happy :)

fitgirl15, ty,you're beautiful

[FitGirl15]

@MrWonkychops I'll have to post new Zumba vids!... my gym asked me to remove them, for privacy reasons.

I think people need to know that there IS a choice wether taking drugs to heal from this condition is required or that you can choose to let your body heal on it's own!!! (Which it WILL DO!!!) Western Medicine gives people a false sense that they will be CURED in a few days by taking a week worth of meds. BOGUS, in my opinion.

~~If I had to do it again, NO DRUGS for me!

[FitGirl15]

@MrWonkychops I'll have to post new Zumba vids!... my gym asked me to remove them, for privacy reasons.

I think people need to know that there IS a choice wether taking drugs to heal from this condition is required or that you can choose to let your body heal on it's own!!! (Which it WILL DO!!!) Western Medicine gives people a false sense that they will be CURED in a few days by taking a week worth of meds. BOGUS, in my opinion.

~~If I had to do it again, NO DRUGS for me!

[dredd2010ph]

i shared this vid on my facebook page :) i hope u wont mind :)

[FitGirl15]

@dredd2010ph Not at all! Share the info! The more people we make AWARE about Bell's Palsy, the more support there will be for others who get it in the future! XOXO

[dredd2010ph]

no jessica u are not an idiot....you have actually helped me with my journey with bells palsy ... you are of great help and gave me positive outlook in life in dealing with BP... thnk you so much for the inspiration :)

[FitGirl15]

@dredd2010ph Thank you! I know I am NOT an idiot... but I HAVE had such comments on my Videos and I don't appreciate them! LOL  ... Bell's Palsy is not easy to recover from, as it it! Negative energy is unwelcome here! :)

[gypsyhair1]

My last comment of the day, my dermatologist told me that a lot of women who get botox for a wrinkle end up wrinkled in a new place because other areas try to compensate for the muscels that are now paralized. She told me that it makes quite bit of sense that if the area around the corner of the mouth is not at 100%, other areas are automatically trying to help with the movement. She, and my phisiotherapist, say to wait 2-3 years to recover from BP before doing anything like botox or surgery.

[gypsyhair1]

And btw, there is a difference between you now and 2 months ago. Quite a few people tell me it can take up to two years. Are you still feeling twitches?

[FitGirl15]

@gypsyhair1 I feel twitches only in my BP eye. I do still feel the BP pain when I laugh, smile, cry...

I am considering doing some acupuncture again... I think it will soften my features again!

[gypsyhair1]

I have some amazing stretching exercises that helped a lot that I got from my phisiotherapist. These are not the typical ones you keep hearing to do. One is to pucker and then when the synkinesis eye tries to shut, force it as wide as you can as you continue to pucker. Stretch the crap out of it. A lot of our nerves are back, but the scrunched up muscles need to be pulled into place.

[MrWonkychops]

Hi Jessica .....your looking well .... Is this your new apartment ?

Looks very official with the cabinet behind you ... Kind presidential :-)))) Are we allowed to discuss different opinions to weather anti vitals are useful and steroids xxx

I been looking into botox I think I'm going to give it a try next month

Given up on acupuncture

Given up on tropic stimulator

Given up on vit b12

But I'm not giving up fullstop !!

No way

Love the zumba vids

Xxx

[FitGirl15]

@MrWonkychops Discussions are great! Rude, inconsiderate comments are not! ;)

Botox scares me. Acupuncture is better to me! :)

I had to take a LOT of my Zumba vids down. :(

[eshada100]

hi jessica... from day 1 of my bell's you have been an excellent inspiration for my recovery... i would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you... God bless you always and take care.... ernie

[FitGirl15]

@eshada100 THANK YOU! Your comment brought tears to my eyes!

I am blessed too! XOXO

[jewelsj99]

I agree with all of this. Good to see your video. I haven't watched in a while!