Fao Sqad

[viv38]

Hi sqad hope you can help. My OH's Dad (63) has something not quite right with his face. His mouth on the left moves to the side when he talks and this is obvious when looking at him. He says it feels exactly like when you go to the dentist and the anaesthetic is wearing off and you can feel your lips pulling to the side, and it's difficult to drink properly. His right eye is also very teary and he has to keep wiping it. This happened about three days ago and came on suddenly. He has no other symptoms at all, as we suspected a stroke, but he's not slurring his speech, has no paralysis in his arms and feels otherwise fine. He's a devil to get to the doctor's, so I suggested I ask you. Hope you don't mind.

[netibiza]

Bell's palsy?

[LoftyLottie]

Look up Bells Palsy and make sure your Dad sees his GP asap. The same thing has recently happened to my cousin. It sounds mighty like Bells Palsy to me!

Sqad will be along soon, I am sure.

[Sqad]

That is a Bell's Palsy....not a stroke.....it is paralysis of the main nerve of expression in the face. The cause is unknown, but thought to be a virus.

It should settle BUT to be sure, he needs to take large doses of steroids by mouth, which can only be prescribed by the doctor.
It is essential that he starts them early.

Tell him that if he doesn't see his GP tomorrow, his face will be paralysed for good.

Good luck

[EcclesCake]

My mother had much the same and as Neti has suggested Bell's Palsy was the diagnosis. From what I recall there was no medical intervention, just time.....and not too long at that.

[pixie373]

Bell's palsy is the first thing that crossed my mind too. Although a tia (ministroke) wouldn't necessarily affect his arms either

[Sqad]

LOL.....my two students above have been taught well........;-)

[LoftyLottie]

Hi Neti.

Viv, it is essential he goes to his GP to get a proper diagnosis and advice. He should not assume that it is Bell's Palsy.

[Sqad]

pixie...good point...BUT:

Bell,s Palsy affects the eye............ministroke TIA doesn't.

[EcclesCake]

I'll shut up.......I don't recall my Mother receiving any treatment but there again th cocktail of drugs she was on she was probably already covered for most eventualities!

[LoftyLottie]

LOL Sqad

Viv, it does improve but sometimes only slowly. The only thing with the cousin now is that her eye has been left with a very slight droop, which isn't really noticeable. She was very frightened when it first happened to you. She actually slurred her speech quite badly too.

[LoftyLottie]

'when it first happened to HER'

[netibiza]

My nephew had it when he was only 25yrs, it lasted a year, don't think he had much treatment either.

[pixie373]

Thanks, sqad. Is there anything "between" Tia and stroke (medium stroke) where you might just get a few symptoms? Or is it really all or nothing with after -symptoms?

[Sqad]

pixie...no...with "strokes"...embolus or thrombus.........it depends on the artery involved.........large artery..Stroke..........small artery TIA (spasm).

Nothing in between.

[viv38]

Thank you so much for all your replies. I've quickly looked up Bells Palsy and yes, that does sound like what he's got, I will tell him what you said about getting to the doctor sqad.

Thank you again x

[pixie373]

Thank you, sqad. Very useful for me (or my clients) to have clarified.
sorry for interrupting, viv. Hope he gets an appointment very soon and all is well xx

[Sqad]

pixie......are you a nurse?

[viv38]

No probs pixie. What would we do without sqad? MY OH is going to persuade him to ring the doctor's tomorrow, but he's just said that it feels as if his lips are getting better, like a pins and needles sensation when an anaesthetic finally wears off. We'll see how he feels tomorrow.

[pixie373]

I have a Homecare business with my sister. No staff, we look after 12 people between us. Often need to judge whether we need to call doctors etc. Have 15 years experience in Homes, but anything extra i can learn, i will.
I did complete first year of nursing diploma, but was so horrified by the crapness of the hospital i was working in, i went back to Care.

[Sqad]

pixie...LOL.
Well you seem to know your stuff as indicated by many of your answers.

I am confident that when i leave AB to go to that great AB in the sky, I will leave it in good hands..;-)