My 13 year old developed Bells Palsy 5 months ago - one side of his face is paralyzed and he can’t close his right eye and has a lopsided smile. He has had CT scans, steroid treatment, physio, acupuncture and daily facial massaging and exercises with no improvement. Our first specialist was not happy with his progress and a MRI and a new specialist later we were told there is no reason of why he developed BP (he didn’t have any of the usual causes) and because there has been no improvement it is likely that he will have to live permanently with this paralysis. It breaks my heart that he has to deal with this in his teenage years and I will never see his beautiful full smile again. He is very resilient and has coped well up till this point.I am trying to get him to talk about it but he keeps saying he’s ok. I am giving him some space but will continue to gently try and get him to open up. I think at this stage it is more me heartbroken and worried for him than he is. Any advice to help us through this? Anyone tried other treatments that have worked??
5 Replies
I have been in a wheelchair since I was 12. Kids can be cruel but there are great kids too. So long as he has a few close friends. Keep the communication open. So long as he knows you are there for him if he needs to talk. You are doing a great job.
Thankyou for your reply I really appreciate it! You made me feel better.
As a parent there’s a period of grief that we tend to have in these situations. Allow yourself to grieve the changes occurring now and into the future, your fears for the challenges your son may encounter, and the loss of “normal” and the now much different direction life is taking you all on. None of this is bad by the way, its just a new normal to adjust to. Perhaps if you could seek counseling to help with the changes you now face for both your son and yourself it may help with adapting? Your son will need to come to terms with these new changes in his own time and as new situations arise so I think reassuring him that at any time he could chat to you or a counselor whilst still giving him time to come to terms with it within himself. Also, second/third/fourth opinions medically aren’t a bad idea. Good luck xx
I had this at 14 a few times and the last time it took around 6 months for it to go. Don’t stress too much. Keep up with the facial exercises and I think you’ll find eventually it will go. Lots of head and face massages also may help. Don’t give up hope. My face did get better. It was scary at the time but 30 years on, I notice only slightly in one part if my eye or neck muscles if I tense it up but other than that is disappeared when, I also thought it wasn’t going to get better at the time. Please book him in for psycho or facial and neck and head massages. They helped me so much.
Don’t stress too much, I have had it a few times and my did go away. With face, neck, head and shoulder massages along with scrunching up your face tightly as hard as he can and regularly for exercises. It all helps. Mine did go away after around 6-8 months. He must get massages, acupuncture, and continue with facial scrunching up his muscles, he needs to release these nerves and muscles to help it return to normal. Be patient but don’t give up hope. He should get it back. It’s rare that it’s left permanent. You are doing the right thing. Also Google some facial exercises for it. Massage did amazing things for mine. I would go twice weekly Monday and Friday for 1 hours each time. Private health covers acupuncture and remedial massage.massage was amazing for mine.