I got Bell's palsy march 26th 2017. I was getting these weird migraines on the left side of my head in the temple region for like a month before it happened. A few days before it started, I noticed I couldn't open my mouth all the way. Then I was eating soup and it tasted like I had burned my tongue really bad. Then my face started twitching on the left side EVERYWHERE. like my eyebrow, my nose, my lips, my chin, my cheek. Then I woke up on march 26th and couldn't keep water in my mouth while brushing my teeth on the left side. I went to the er and they diagnosed me with Bell's palsy. They told me it was a mild case, but it just hadn't actually set in all the way yet. They gave me the anti virals and prednisone. They only gave me 20 mg prednisone that I took for 4 days only. Idk if they only gave me this much because of my weight (I weigh 140) or because they thought it was a mild case. when I was reading online I saw ppl taking way higher doses for longer periods of time. Anyway it set all the way in and I could still close my eye a little bit it wasn't just open like some other ppl. I could still smile a little. But then it seemed like things were getting worse and I couldn't smile anymore at all. I had a little droop. And instead of my eye being dry it just waters all day. I asked my doctor and he said steroids aren't good for you and they can do harm to other parts of your body. He was pretty much useless. So 3 weeks went by and I still wasn't getting any improvement. The taste in my toungue was coming back and it stopped hurting so bad. (At first I had shooting pains in my head and on the left side of my face). My hearing was hyper sensitive also and that went away too. I still wasn't getting any movement and was getting discouraged because I seen some ppl recover in 3 to 4 weeks. I saw some ppl did acupuncture and it worked for them so I decided to give that a try at 3 weeks. I hadn't been to a neurologist yet because I couldn't get an appointment soon enough the one my insurance covered was all booked up. I did 6 sessions of acupuncture, with 3 regular sessions with just putting the needle in my face, and then 3 with electrostim. It seemed the acupuncture was working because I got some movement back in my cheek to where I could move part of my cheek by myself, and I was also getting twitching in some other places. I finally got a hold of a neurologist around 6 weeks and he told me there's no data on acupuncture working so I stopped going. By six weeks I had gained movement back in my neck, I could move my chin a little, I can raise my eyebrow a little, and I could move my ear... at 8 weeks now I can move the corner of my mouth just a little like its trying to smile. I also still have some twitching that goes on on my Bell's palsy side every now and then. But also, when I look in the mirror and try and smile and see what movements are coming back, my muscles feel kind of tight. Not when my face is at rest, but when I try and smile. I can see some other areas twitching in my cheek when I try to smile, like it's trying to work but it's to weak or something. My fear is that the electro stim and acupuncture made things worse and that's why It feels tight like that when I try to smile. Also when I move my lips a certain way or when I put hot water on my face I can feel my lips like pull upward on that side and there's a crease in my cheek like as if I'm smirking a little but I'm not. It's weird and only happens for a little Bit of time then goes back to normal. What is this? Also I can still only move that one part of my cheek and the the crease that comes when you smile still isn't moving yet... is this normal? I'm going to see my neurologist again on Thursday but I am a major worry wart and I keep worrying I made this worse by doing acupuncture and the electro Stim. Am i recovering okay or is something wrong? I also now get some headache and face pain on that side again but it's not as bad as it was when I first got it. I am 24 years old and my job has everything to do with how you look and is very competitive so I haven't been at work for 2 months. Just been staying home. I will admit I have been fighting with my significant other way more but than ever before and probably am more stressed than I should be. I also smoke weed sometimes to sleep and noticed that sometimes when I smoke I get more twitching on that side. Is twitching good? Because my face was twitching when it started, so don't know if it is it seems like it is good though because for like 3 weeks I had no twitching no movement at all on that side of my face. I hate this so much I'm so sad because I loved my smile before and I am a very pretty girl. I feel I've lost my face and I'm praying it will come back.... is muscle tightness when trying to move that side normal or is this a sign of synkinesis? I am so scared and keep crying I just want someone who's had this and recovered to let me know I'm recovering the right way? I also take b12, zinc, magnesium, multi vitamins and b6. I know it's only been two months but I'm scared my face will not go back to normal fully. Please someone help. 
Everyone on this thread knows the feeling. It sucks not being in control of your own body. But you're showing signs of recovery which is great. Full recovery takes months, even years. You should be very optimistic. I'm 24 and am on day 10 of my 2nd round of Bell's palsy. First time I was 17, just about to graduate. It happened in class. I could feel my smile was off. Went to the ER that night. They said it was Bell's palsy. Gave me antivirals and steroids and sent me on my way. By week 3 I was pretty much back to normal without any addition supplements or treatment. I did have constant muscle spasms in my face and uncontrollable eye twitches. This still continues, 7 years later. Well not so much now that I have it again. This time around I have no movement at all which is quite discouraging. I have a lot of nerve pain. Tried acupuncture a few times, still no improvement other than face looks a little less droopy. Eye always tears because it won't close and my face and neck always hurt/are sore. This bothers me too because I am also a pretty young woman with a marketing career so I deal with people daily. This definitely lowers my self esteem and has effected my work to a lesser extent. I'm hopeful it will get better as it did before. Just hoping it doesn't take months.
As for weed, could be superficial. I used to always twitch when I would get high. I'm not sure there's a connection.
After doing all sorts of research on the little information that is known about Bell's palsy, my own experience, and from reading others, having movement definitely shows progress even if it is slow. You should be happy that you're having movement rather than nothing. Patience is the worst treatment for me. I have none. So I take it for what it is. Temporary paralysis.
Thank you so much for replying to me. Yes I totally agree that movement is a good sign, just super paranoid and this really sucks because it's taking so long. Wow this is your second time? Why do you think you got it twice? Well I hope you will have a speedy recovery like the last time! I'm hoping mine only lasts 3 months I can't not be able to smile anymore because I am a very goofy person. I love to smile and laugh and I feel this is making me a sad boring person because I don't like to show expression in my face . The first time when you had BP when you were recovering how did your muscles feel? I feel like my cheek muscles are tight when I Move them on that side.
Definitely stress the first time. This second time probably stess. It had happened just two days after oral surgery so I assume it was the physical trauma. I'm not at day 11, no imporvement. This time last time around I was in the 75% so its quite discouraging. From what I've been reading, the 2nd episode has lasted longer for everyone. This time is also full paralysis rather than the partial it was before.
The first time I did not have any pain. This time I'm in constant pain. Face feels like I got punched. My eye feels bruised also my cheek bone. I have really bad neck pain. Cupping seemed to help but pain came back two days later. I've been taking vitamins and using hot compresses and acupuncture but nothing has seemed to help. It's quite frustrating.
Yes Angel , this is awful, I have experienced all of your systoms, this July at 4 years an I still have systoms, although I seem to be the only one that knows it! I am also very fearful when I get stressed out it will return. Had make some life an work changes, good luck to you
I know stress did it for me also. My face also felt bruised when I first got it I couldn't even lay on that side. Some places I touch on my face are still sore if I press down on it, don't know what that means exactly. I was having a lot of pain at first too now it has went away and only hurts sometimes, but not as bad as when it was first hurting. I've been getting more twitching which I hope is a good thing. Also when I try to smile some parts of my cheek twitch like they're trying to work but they're too weak... hopefully that means they just need to get stronger but they are trying to work... the sinus of my left nostril has been itchy too and I read somewhere that means your healing... so I really hope I recover by 3 months. I hope you have a speedy full recovery also.
Hi Donna, I wanted to ask when you were recovering what were things you noticed going on? I'm getting some twitching everyday which I hope means it's healing.. and also when I try to smile on that side my cheek will twitch like it's trying to work but it's too weak. Idk if that is a good thing or what. Also he inside of my left nostril Has been itchy and j read somewhere that means healing too?
Angel, yes all the twitching drove me crazy. But I assumed it meant healing, I still have numbness in my eyebrow although I'm able to move everything, I still have loud noises like barking dog close by hurts my ear, I a approaching 4 years this July, it took me a dam. Good 45 days to see real improvement I constantly did facial excersies I had facial massages often actually full body massages just to relax my body and only I am able to tell I had BP. When I take pictures Icanswe the difference in my smile . But all this time and I still have systoms , thankfully not noticeable, good luck hope you heal quick . Donna
Did neurologists do any tests on you? I did not see a neurologist first time but doctors are recommending it this time
Hi Angel, I was got Bells palsy two weeks ago and sice then I have only been gettin worrse. Now I am at a point where I cant close my left eye, I cant move my mouth and therefore I speak with difficulties. According to the doctors I am a 4 (6 being the worst). I am really scared and stressed about what is going on with me. I too work with my face and this condition is so annoying. Everybody is saying that I will start getting better in 3-4 weeks, but I am afraid it will take much longer. How long did it take for you? Are you ok now? Did you do accupunture and/or physiotherapy?
I just recovered from my second round of bells palsy. Everything I've read said the second time around it lasts much longer. The second time around was certainly worse. Pain and symptoms. Definitely got worse before it got better. I tried everything. Hot compresses, acupuncture, face massages etc. I did 3 rounds of acupuncture and during one session they did cupping on my neck. It was painful but during and after every session I felt movement but it did not last. I had complete paralysis of the left side so I couldnt close my eye or speak properly. I would hold my cheek up to sound normal. Miraculousy a little after two weeks I went from 0% improvement to 80% improvement within a weekends time. I'd say by 3.5 weeks I was 95%+ healed. Its now been two months. My affected side is still sore on my cheeks. Possible damage from constantly holding it when I talked? I have no idea. Also the affected side seems to be overcompensating now. I notice when I yawn that the affected eye will squint more, not sure why.
My first round of bells palsy only lasted two weeks with partial paralysis so I was very scared when it came around a second time.
At your age you should recover very well. Don't stress and don't worry about the acupuncture, you can't change that.
Wow , I have forgotten some of the very systoms I had, my BP is 4 years this month and my smile is still a little off although job one can tell but I can sure tell. What has worked for me are massages facial massages, actually full body massage helps with just relaxing, my massage thearpist is an RN and is awesome, still after all this time I have issues with loud noises , When it first happened I was put on large doses of steroids for weeks, at the end of 45 days my face was as close to normal so I was able to return to my job , we're all I do is talk (911) , my taste buds returned then they would be gone then return geeze went on a while, I wish you a speedy recovery, and I hope my info was helpful, donna
Hi lili! I am 4 months into Bell's palsy and my face is slowly getting better! I can smile now even though my smile is a little crooked I'm glad I can. There's still some things I can't do, like flare my left nostril, or close my eye all the way still. And I'm actually getting synkinesis which sucks but right now it's not too bad and I hope it doesn't get any worse. When I raise my eyebrows my Cheek goes up also making it look like I'm smiling on that side. But I'm just glad my face is actually coming back because it took so long! I know I'm still recovering but it's not that noticeable that I have it anymore unless I laugh really hard. Just hang in there. I prayed my face would come back at 3 to 4 weeks to but it unfortunately didn't. It will come back just try not to stress and make sure you sleep when your tired.
Thank you!! 
it's slowly coming back.
Thank you Donna
I'm so glad you fully recovered!! I'm still recovering and actually getting some synkinesis which is scary but it isn't to bad right now. I can move way more on that side and can smile even though my smile is a little bit crooked. You wouldn't notice I have Bell's palsy only if I pointed it out now. (Or if you watch me blink because my eye still doesn't close all the way). I know im still recovering and it's going to be a little longer for me... how would you say your recovery is? Do you have any synkinesis?
Hi Angel i also got diagnosed with bells palsy. Did you fully recover?
I’m still kind of sort of recovering. I have Synkinesis also. No one can really tell I have it anymore. I of course can still see it but other than that Ive pretty much just gotten used to it and know there’s nothing I can really do about it.
Dont worry you will get better.. i was also diagnosed with bells palsy im recovering little by little i couldnt move my nose nor my eyebrow and i couldnt smile either. But with alot of massages and with the help of God i can now move what i mention above. My mother also bought me a massager and it helped alot too. Dont stress cause that wont help. And i have 1 month and 3 days with this and im slowly recovering.. and you will too.