
Bell's Palsy Support Group
Bell's palsy (facial palsy) is characterised by facial drooping on the affected half, due to malfunction of the facial nerve, which controls the muscles of the face. Bell's palsy is the most common cause of acute facial nerve paralysis and affects about 40,000 people in the United States every year. Additional symptoms that may accompany the condition are pain around the...

deleted_user
Yet another study published in the New England Journal of Medicine confirms what some of us have been doing
1) They treated people who had JUST presented with symptoms of Bells with either: PREDNISONE alone (25 mg twice a day), PREDNISONE (+) Acyclovir (zovirax), or acyclovir ALONE
2) Results showed that treatment with prednisone alone (25 mg twice a day) SIGNIFICANTLY improved the chances of complete recovery at 3 and 9 months
3) INTERESTINGLY: adding acyclovir to prednisone MADE NO DIFFERENCE and treatment with ACYCLOVIR alone did NOT alter outcome either.
Take home message: Early treatment with prednisone at the onset of symptoms is important and adding acyclovir doesnt seem to do anything
Dr O.
1) They treated people who had JUST presented with symptoms of Bells with either: PREDNISONE alone (25 mg twice a day), PREDNISONE (+) Acyclovir (zovirax), or acyclovir ALONE
2) Results showed that treatment with prednisone alone (25 mg twice a day) SIGNIFICANTLY improved the chances of complete recovery at 3 and 9 months
3) INTERESTINGLY: adding acyclovir to prednisone MADE NO DIFFERENCE and treatment with ACYCLOVIR alone did NOT alter outcome either.
Take home message: Early treatment with prednisone at the onset of symptoms is important and adding acyclovir doesnt seem to do anything
Dr O.

deleted_user
hello DrOrrange - I just read your posting about acyclovir and prednisone. I was on valtrex and prednisone within 24 hours of getting BP. It has now been 3 months and I still am not fully recovered. I am at the point where most people would not recognize that I have BP as my face is symmetrical again. However, my eye still does not blink shut all the way and my smile is not completely back. I am finding myself very frustrated with this slow recovery and worried that this is all I am going to get. Can you tell me how long this can take? and will I fully recover? i know those are two questions that maybe God can only answer. I just need some hope. I thought another medical expert opinion would help. Many thanks in advance.
Join the Conversation
Posts You May Be Interested In
-
I have been here before, a long long time ago and now I am back.Forgive me for not just saying what I want to say,even under a triple dose of antidepressants it is still raw and seeping and I am hesitant at revealing it as at least under the bandages around my heart I don,t have to look at how raw and wounded.My child was cleaved from my heart by his own actions. my child of ten,turning eleven...
-
theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??