Rushed to ER - Need guidance---

[SuperGeeky]

Hi All: Quite a scare yesterday. Couldn't sleep night before last, checked this website about 4:00 A.M. Noticed some postings on mini strokes.

Later in the morning, I was driving with my six year old son. My eyes started having problems, bad enough with icy conditions. So, I get home and start eating lunch. Can't believe it, it's like the left side of my face is all numbed up. Having trouble opening my mouth to eat and I can't feel my lip.

So, I thought, I didn't get much sleep. Just take a nap and forget it!! My wife came in the kitchen, said she was going to the doctor. Asked her to take me too. I was feeling like such a hypochondriac!!

I quietly asked to see the nurse, feeling quite embarrassed. Nothings wrong. The nurse immediately got the Doctor, and he said to call an ambulance.

After spending 10 hours at ER and having a MRI, conclusion was Bell's Palsy with severe case of Sinusitus.
ER Doc told me to see my Sleep Doctor first thing in the morning. My Primary and Sleep Doctor are in the same practice (Thank God)

I met with the Sleep Doctor this morning. I generated Encore Reports, as long as we were meeting anyway.
He marveled over the Encore Reports, replying "This is the way their supposed to look, perfect". Thanks so much to cpaptalk.com members!! I've learned so much!!

Anyway, here's the rub. Because of the Sinusitus, he has asked me not , that's right NOT, to use my BiPap for ten days. He said my sinuses are so bad, it's not doing anything for me anyway. Wow!!

Two weeks ago, they gave me an 'Echo' for my heart. They said it was a heart of a 14 year old. Boy, do I feel lucky!!

I guess I'll sleep on my side in the mean time. And, he also wants the MRI film. Ya, go baby! Find something the Radiologist missed. I'm really pleased!!

Sleep Doc told me he's giving a speech on SA and stroke. It must be the new thing on the SA radar.

Anyway, thanks to all of you who devote your time to reading postings, and putting out your collective experiences. Lives are extended and saved...

God bless,

SG

[Goofproof]

Too bad your doctor doesn't know what FF masks are for. Maybe he needs a little night school. I would think O2 would be handy to breath. Jim

[SuperGeeky]

Thanks, I didn't even think of that! Isn't that a bit odd, not to think of FF mask?? Perhaps the pressure is acting as an irritant to the all the sinus cavities?

Great point GoofProof, you always nail it!!

SG

[ozij]

The problems is that your sinus cavities are filled with pus now, and the pressurized air can blow that bacterial laden stuff very deeply in. And that is much too close to your brain for comfort.

O.

[SuperGeeky]

Well, that would certainly outweigh the risk of being taken off of my BiPap. And, I just wonder if that is anything to do with Bell's Palsy.

I'm not sleeping well at all. Forgot to mention to the doctors that muscles in feet are pulling inward. Jerky, similar to restless leg syndrome. Tonight, the hands are curling in at the wrist. Still can't sleep...

All I get are these very worried looks from doctors and nurses. It's frightening!!

Thanks,

SG

[Julie]

Bell's palsy in OCCASional cases can be related to high blood sugar, and you might want to ask the MD about getting a routine test for that, but it's otherwise just one of those odd things (like shingles, for instance) that hits people out of nowhere, then goes away again, and is not related directly to apnea itself. However, I would call him today and ask about your hands and feet 'curling' (or even feeling that they are), if only just to reassure yourself, and to keep him informed of what's going on, because it's not necessarily an accompanying symptom of Bell's that I'm aware of (as an ex-med. sect'y in various neuro. offices).

[ejfrankle]

When I had an attack of Bells Palsy they immediately put me on prednisone to hopefully reduce the symtoms. Did they prescribe anything in your case.

Eric

[SuperGeeky]

Yep Julie, I told the Sleep Doc I was craving sugars. Candy Bars and such... The lab is doing a series of tests, Lyme disease and I hope diabetes. So, thanks for mentioning it. I'll google to get more info.

Eric, the ER Doc prescribed:

Prednisone
Valtrex
Augmentin

Eye patch and something to keep the eye moist.

If the sinuses are severely swollen, what's the odds of it pressing the facial nerve? Or the same virus is attacking both sinuses and facial nerve?

For irrigating sinuses religiously everyday and keeping vibratory snore down to less than six, it's amazing I'm having the sinusitus.

Take care,

SG

[ozij]

I don't know about the facial nerve, but sinusitis can be extremely painful - including make you think you have a toothache.
O.

[Julie]

The facial nerve I think you're referring to would be the one causing trigeminal neuralgia, or tic doloureux, which is horrible to have, but in fact the nerve originates at the back of your brain, and is not likely to be affected by wearing a mask (believe me, I checked into it!).

[SuperGeeky]

This is why I really like to run all the bases and work very hard to communicate with the doctors.

I'm wearing a nylon pantyhose very tightly around where the facial nerve is around my ear. Then of course, I'm building pressure in my respiratory system enough to keep the throat open.

I strongly believe in pressure needing adjustment after a complete Sleep Study. However, I try not to do it without my Doc's permission. No way am I going to pretend understanding fluid dynamics, and start jacking pressure up and down. Particularly with a BiPap. No thanks!!

And, I think this is a good example... I'm having Sinusitus, you know pain in my teeth etc. Really not understanding what's wrong. I'm running without a Humidifier, just fine. But, each day I'm getting more and more tired. Ripping of the mask in the middle of the night. Waking up!

And, when I get tired, I start slipping on my routine. Cleaning hose, mask, irrigation. Just a vicious cycle... The whole therapy starts to fail and Encore reports become less meaningful...

That's why I'm so glad to have been referred to the Sleep Doc rather than Primary. Because so much can be derived from the Sleep Apnea and really need to grasp the 'Big Picture'...

Thanks,

Mark

[greenvelvetdragon]

Hi Mark, sounds like you have been havinga rough time. the most important stop is the thoracic doc(sleep guy); ask them about a possible referal to neurology and what their thought are re the palsy, i never take the thought of stroke lightly, been working with stroke patients for too many years, would prefer to have full cardio and neuro workups to know for sure; the diabetes tests are always a good idea as well.

all the best!

[Frogso]

I have been suffering from Bell's Palsy and trying to use my CP mask with much adjustment and difficulty. I decided to check this forum for info. How are you doing now? I'm hoping that everything has turned out well for you and that you're feeling much better. Any tips to help get me through this time? I, too, was prescribed Valtrex (which I have finished) and Prednisone which I'm still taking in reducing doses. Also using moisturizing drops in my eye and Tylenol for discomfort. The worst pain is mainly my outer ear and behind it. Tomorrow I'm seeing a chiropractor hopefully for some relief.

[Julie]

Hi Frogso, just saw your post and I am a bit worried about the chiropractor. Bell's palsy is a neurological problem involving facial nerves (whatever else might be involved) and chiropractors have ways of sometimes jerking necks around, and have been known on a few occasions to provoke strokes (in Canada anyway, they are now not doing some of the things they normally would). I really think you want to not do this now, but wait and see your neurologist if you have problems (BP can take a while to get over).

[WearyOne]

I have been suffering from Bell's Palsy and trying to use my CP mask with much adjustment and difficulty. I decided to check this forum for info. How are you doing now? I'm hoping that everything has turned out well for you and that you're feeling much better. Any tips to help get me through this time? I, too, was prescribed Valtrex (which I have finished) and Prednisone which I'm still taking in reducing doses. Also using moisturizing drops in my eye and Tylenol for discomfort. The worst pain is mainly my outer ear and behind it. Tomorrow I'm seeing a chiropractor hopefully for some relief.

Have you seen a chiropractor before relating to this problem? If not, you might want to run it by your treating physician. I see a chiropractor regularly, and have for years, but I don't have Bell's Palsy. My issues were numbness and tingling in my arms and hands, which turned out were coming from my neck. Chiropractor visits eliminated the problem. Then later on a herniated disc in my lower back. I was already seeing the chiro at the time the herniated disc was discovered (although not for the lower back), and the orthopedic surgeon said to continue with the chiropractor in addition to doing the PT the neurologist prescribed. But again, my issues were/are different from yours, so if you haven't seen the chiro before, I really think running it by your treating physician first would be the safest route to go.

Pam