It's Bell's Palsy, Not a stroke

[EMTGuard]

I had a great weekend off and got lots of yard work done. Even fired up the BBQ grill Saturday.
Then, Sunday afternoon my left eye was watering and within a couple of hours I had lost feeling in the left side of my face. I couldn't close my eye completely and couldn't seal my lips. NOT GOOD.
Got my shoes on, fed the cats and me and my better half headed to Baton Rouge General Hospital. Within 10 minutes of leaving the driveway I was being fitted with a wristband in the ER and was waiting for a bed to open up. A little more than an hour later the doctor had checked me out and I was waiting for my prescriptions so I could leave.
I had a minor case of Bell's Palsy - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell's_palsy - and was being sent home.
I took my prescriptions to a local WalGreens and waited about 30 minutes. When the pharmacist rang up my total for the 2 drugs I was getting the bill came to $299. That almost caused a stroke for real. I had about $100 cash but not enough to cover that and no prescription insurance so I pulled out my Visa card and put myself further in debt.
Now I get to sleep with my eye taped shut for the next several weeks and wonder how long it will be until I can taste food normally again.
But Hey, At least it wasn't a stroke.


Steve

[JB diligence]

My girlfriend had that just a few weeks ago, once on the meds it went away in about a week and a half or so. She had to drink sideways but once realizing it wasn't too serious, she was able to joke about it. The worst part was loosing her natural blink reflex, now that's weird so be careful with your eye.

All the best to ya, and avoid light colored shirts till all is well .

[EMTGuard]

She had to drink sideways

Yep, I've already learned the hard way, put the straw in the RIGHT side of your mouth. Right side, not left. Oh heck, napkin please.

[HotelSecurity]

Hope you get well soon Steve.

It pains me that a great nation like the US has such a hard time accepting social programs like universal health care & in the case of Quebec, prescriptions. Granted our system is not perfect but I would get back at least $250.00 of the $300.00 even if I was not covered through work.

[EMTGuard]

Well, while I'm happy I could be seen in a first rate hospital I know I'll be paying off the bill for quite a while.
On the other hand, if this had happened on a weekday and I had been able to get into the Veterans Administration clinic I would have a much smaller bill and my prescriptions would have been only about $21 a peice. But it was a sunday evening and I knew something was wrong and took action. Sure I will be paying for some time but as with stroke, heart attack or any other problem, the sooner you get help the better. I have a very good chance of a full recovery in the next few weeks. I'll also have a very good incentive to go to work every day since I know that Visa wll be demanding their regular payments.

>wanders off singing Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life<

Steve

[JB diligence]

Well, while I'm happy I could be seen in a first rate hospital I know I'll be paying off the bill for quite a while.
On the other hand, if this had happened on a weekday and I had been able to get into the Veterans Administration clinic I would have a much smaller bill and my prescriptions would have been only about $21 a peice. But it was a sunday evening and I knew something was wrong and took action. Sure I will be paying for some time but as with stroke, heart attack or any other problem, the sooner you get help the better. I have a very good chance of a full recovery in the next few weeks. I'll also have a very good incentive to go to work every day since I know that Visa wll be demanding their regular payments.

>wanders off singing Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life<

Steve

Nice to see someone taking their own advice! Too often I think responders think were OK and put our health off till the last moment, I know I have as well as coworkers. Fortunately things turned out OK.

[HotelSecurity]

Well, while I'm happy I could be seen in a first rate hospital I know I'll be paying off the bill for quite a while.
On the other hand, if this had happened on a weekday and I had been able to get into the Veterans Administration clinic I would have a much smaller bill and my prescriptions would have been only about $21 a peice. But it was a sunday evening and I knew something was wrong and took action. Sure I will be paying for some time but as with stroke, heart attack or any other problem, the sooner you get help the better. I have a very good chance of a full recovery in the next few weeks. I'll also have a very good incentive to go to work every day since I know that Visa wll be demanding their regular payments.

>wanders off singing Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life<

Steve

Steve, Visa likes it better when you don't pay on time

[JB diligence]

Steve, Visa likes it better when you don't pay on time

Ain't that the truth!!!

[ericjones80]

Sorry to hear it....I'm glad you took action early.

[copelandamuffy]

Jim Ross commentator on Vince McMahon's Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment
on Monday Night RAW on the USA network has battlled Bell's Palsy

[NRM_Oz]

Well EMT you know better than most people that you needed medical assistance and I am glad to hear you are ok. After our discussion on EMT stuff in other forums I have been living at hospitals with my family over the last few weeks and I had the places to be honest. Hope you are getting stronger and not talking like Clint Eastwood too much. Get Well Soon !!!

[inman]

I was hit with that also back in 1987. They say they do not know what causes it, and that if you have it once, it is high probability to happen again. Mine hasn't come back. Weird feeling because the victim thinks the affected side is the opposite of what it really is.