Recording: Bell's Palsy Live Q&A 17/02

Here is the recording of the Live Q&A session that took place on February 17, 2022. We hope these answers will help you regain your hope for recovery after long-standing Bell's palsy, Ramsay Hunt syndrome and other peripheral facial paralysis. Links: Online Diagnostic Session (ZOOM video call): https://crystal-touch.nl/online-bells... Bell's Palsy Knowledge Base: https://crystal-touch.nl/bells-palsy-... "What you can do yourself to reduce Synkinesis": https://crystal-touch.nl/what-you-can... Contact: [email protected] Contents: 00:00 - Introduction 00:18 - Question 1 "I was diagnosed with Bell palsy in March 2020, and I have recuperated a lot from it, but I lost strength on my right eye and I still get headaches and stiff neck. I can't sleep on my right side because my nose gets stuffed, and I can't breathe. What can I do?" 5:55 - Question 2 "Are there any vitamins or supplements you would recommend for someone 10 months post Bell's Palsy diagnosis?" 7:03 - Question 3 "I cannot visit your clinic in the Netherlands, but I would like to know what are the practical ways I can do on my own, so I can reduce my synkinesis? I can feel stiffness in my affected area (cheeks, eyebrow) and involuntary movement in the mouth once I blink, what routine can I do to make sure that I don't over force my facial nerves?" 11:23 - Question 4 "I had my attack on August 29th 2021. I was wondering how long I should wait before getting a gold weight put in my eye? My eye Doctor has recommended me doing it. I am 76 and wondering if my age makes recovery longer? I have really had no improvement since my attack. I have lost my hearing on my right ear, my balance is totally off and am dizzy a lot. My life has been turned upside down." 17:24 - Question 5 "Are Hemifacial spasm and facial Synkinesis the same?" 19:23 - Question 6 "I am approaching week three since my Bell’s Palsy diagnosis. I have been experiencing some hearing loss, outer ear tenderness, and ringing in the ear of my affected side. Does this align with Bell’s Palsy, or is it possible I was misdiagnosed? Should I expect my hearing to return when other facial functions return to normal?" 22:56 - Question 7 "I have regained some movement - but now have pain and balance issues, is this common?" 23:48 - Question 8 "Can viewing pictures of one's face prior to Bell's palsy (seeing how it was before) help with recovery in any way?" 26:46 - Question 9 "I have had Bell’s palsy for two times. One of them was in 2002 (very severe, I had to make one year of Physiotherapy every day) and the other one was in 2019. I am 60 years old. Am I likely to have this syndrome more frequent than other people?" 29:37 - Question 10 "When I eat my eye tears up. Will this improve?" 31:07 - Question 11 "Can the program be completed online?" 32:21 - Question 12 "Someone suggested isolating movements during delayed recovery to help prevent Synkinesis. What is it and is it a good idea?" 34:20 - Question 13 "​It's been over a year since BP. I still can't pout or push my lips forward or round it on the affected side. Could this be cured?" 36:22 - Question 14 "After two years of Bells palsy, and having synkinesis what to expect from now on?" 37:46 - Question 15 "Will Botox help the unlearning of synkinesis by the brain (since synkinesis happens when the brain relates several muscles to a single movement during bell's palsy recovery)?" 40:19 - Question 16 "What are the signs that synkinesis is getting better? Is it the contractions?" 41:00 - Question 17 "What is your opinion on surgery for someone who was Bell’s palsy for 6 years." 43:33 - Question 18 "I had facial paralysis in October 2016 and after 6 months of recovery I had facial synkinesis, now is there hope that this synkinesis will disappear?" 44:02 - Question 19 "​Is it possible for the infection to persist for an extended time?" 44:36 - Question 20 "I recovered in about 1.5 months. However, it has been almost 9 months since, and I get muscle fasciculations in my legs and arms. Does the affected nerve cause that?" 45:35 - Question 21 "​Is it possible to experience some tightness on the side that was affected even after months of recovering? I had BP about 9mths ago." 47:31 - Question 22 "Have patients developed asymmetrical skin sagging and slower response on the affected side over time? After palsy 20 years ago, I have noticed the palsy affected side of my body responds differently." 49:43 - Question 23 "​I have bell palsy for 15 years now it's now and when I get tired my eye gets smaller my lips go to a side, do you think there is anything I can do to heal myself completely?" 52:08 - Question 24 "Does acupuncture help in relaxing the facial muscles/nerves?" 53:19 - Question 25 "​When I wake up, my face muscles are very tight and pull on the affected side. Is there anything I can do to improve the quality of my sleep?" 56:10 - Closing comments