Thought I had flu in side of face on Friday. Now googling seems to relate this to possibly Bells Pawsy. Will try to get to doctor in morning. Can having the Flue Jab last week and Metformin user really up the possibility of getting Bells Pawsy?. Should I call HNS direct also?
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Bells Palsy?
- Thread starter rugo
- Start Date
- Messages
- 5,916
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Re: Bells Palsy
hi Rugo - welcome to the forum
You are wise to get yourself seen by a doctor - weakness and numbness in the face is a symptom of many things and needs checking out even if its just to put your mind at rest
As to Bells Palsy it is mainly caused by a virus and anyone at all can get it so I very much doubt the flu jab or metformin would be the cause if it was Bells Palsy.
Ring the NHS direct and see what they say - they are the best people placed to advice you and I have always found them helpful.
hi Rugo - welcome to the forum
You are wise to get yourself seen by a doctor - weakness and numbness in the face is a symptom of many things and needs checking out even if its just to put your mind at rest
As to Bells Palsy it is mainly caused by a virus and anyone at all can get it so I very much doubt the flu jab or metformin would be the cause if it was Bells Palsy.
Ring the NHS direct and see what they say - they are the best people placed to advice you and I have always found them helpful.
jopar
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 2,222
I had Bells Palsy in my 20's :shock:
It does need to be checked out though to rule out other causes out, I had an emergency out of hours appointment (Sunday) but if you've got a small injury unit near you pop in and have it checked if not ring NHS Direct for further advice.
They will likely do some tests, such as holding arms up, balancing on one leg, a strength of grip on that side, and perhaps a little memory test to rule out stroke side of things, I had this done very scary at the time as I was only 26...
Treatment is generally a course of steriods (you'll have to watch your BG's as steriods can increase them, so might mean adjustments in your diabetic medication) it generally clears with this all be it a slowly, if it doesn't which is rare there is an operation that they can do but as I said this is rare.
The cause is a inflammed and/or blocked nerve in the face (not sure which one though) hence why it's associated with virus/infections but not always it can come out of the blue as mine did..
I didn't have any colds or underlying infections when I had mine, I was pregnant at the time but the night it started I had spent a very uncomfortable night baby sitting for a friend who basically even though it was winter left me with no heating and I was sat in a draft hitting the side I had my bells pusly on...
They will also probably suggest you wear a eye patch, to prevent dust getting in your eyes, which if you are working in a dusty enviornment or even doing house work is advisable because you can't shut your eye... Oh I do suggest if you can wear old tops that you don't mind throwing away, as drinking can be a problem causing a lot of dribbles.. Not pleasent at all and ruins your tops..
It does need to be checked out though to rule out other causes out, I had an emergency out of hours appointment (Sunday) but if you've got a small injury unit near you pop in and have it checked if not ring NHS Direct for further advice.
They will likely do some tests, such as holding arms up, balancing on one leg, a strength of grip on that side, and perhaps a little memory test to rule out stroke side of things, I had this done very scary at the time as I was only 26...
Treatment is generally a course of steriods (you'll have to watch your BG's as steriods can increase them, so might mean adjustments in your diabetic medication) it generally clears with this all be it a slowly, if it doesn't which is rare there is an operation that they can do but as I said this is rare.
The cause is a inflammed and/or blocked nerve in the face (not sure which one though) hence why it's associated with virus/infections but not always it can come out of the blue as mine did..
I didn't have any colds or underlying infections when I had mine, I was pregnant at the time but the night it started I had spent a very uncomfortable night baby sitting for a friend who basically even though it was winter left me with no heating and I was sat in a draft hitting the side I had my bells pusly on...
They will also probably suggest you wear a eye patch, to prevent dust getting in your eyes, which if you are working in a dusty enviornment or even doing house work is advisable because you can't shut your eye... Oh I do suggest if you can wear old tops that you don't mind throwing away, as drinking can be a problem causing a lot of dribbles.. Not pleasent at all and ruins your tops..
Hello All,
Thanks for the infos.
I can equate to what youre saying Jopar. Last week I had been working away and staying in an old converted farm building. With the cold weather and the fact that that it was warmer 'outside' the farm building than in it!; this may give some pointers. The central heating was hardly working at all. It was so cold at nights and albeit my body was warm under the bed covers, my head wasnt. Anyway I had all the ECG tests etc today at the Hopsital A&E and they have given me steroids and think it could be Bells Pawsy. They dont think it was a mini stroke and asked me to keep an eye on things. They did mention the sugar levels I will have to keep a good check on them. Thanks again for the infos.
Appreciated
Ru
Thanks for the infos.
I can equate to what youre saying Jopar. Last week I had been working away and staying in an old converted farm building. With the cold weather and the fact that that it was warmer 'outside' the farm building than in it!; this may give some pointers. The central heating was hardly working at all. It was so cold at nights and albeit my body was warm under the bed covers, my head wasnt. Anyway I had all the ECG tests etc today at the Hopsital A&E and they have given me steroids and think it could be Bells Pawsy. They dont think it was a mini stroke and asked me to keep an eye on things. They did mention the sugar levels I will have to keep a good check on them. Thanks again for the infos.
Appreciated
Ru
