questions......

[CROOKEDSMILE]

1. Has anyone been told what vitamins or herbs are good for nerve recovery? I've heard.....of course....Vit. B12, magnesium and the other B vitamins but is there anything else?
2. I was scheduled for acupuncture but chickened out. Has anyone seen any medical evidence that this helps with facial paralysis related to surgical trauma (not Bell's palsy)?
3. Some therapist say do exercises at first sign of movement....others say wait at least a year. I'm wondering for those that waited to do exercises if they have less incidence of synkinesis than those of us that exercise at the first sign of movement.
4. For those of you that had further nerve recovery after 18 months did you get lots of muscle twitching in your face and did it precede better function? Did the twitching calm down?

Thanks for your input.
Angie.

[MissMolly]

Hi Angie,
I'm not an expert in this area, but there are speech language pathologists who are.  You may want to consult your local hospital and set up an appointment to discuss the issue of when to start working those muscles.  Because of the type of facial paralysis, insurance may cover it.  Good luck. 

Molly

[saralynn143]

Angie, my GP told me to take the entire B-complex. She has me take drops rather than a tablet or shot.

I read that Topamax and Neurontin are good for nerve regeneration, though I'm pretty sure the article that cited it was specific to diabetic neuropathy. I can't tolerate Topamax and my facial nerve specialist didn't think it would do me any good.

I have also read that SamE is helpful.

Sara

[jazzfunkanne]

angie patience, i have just seen more of my front teeth this week 26.5 months post op, i read bananas are good for nerve growth.

[JulieE]

Besides the B's, take Fish oil and Flax seed/oil:  Omegas and Vit E.
Jules

[epifania74]

Hi!!

I'm just past the two year post op..I don't know about the other cases..but I'll share about my experience with acupunture with you. I've been going to my local acupunturist for about 7 months now..I can see dramatic improvement on my face now I don't know if its time the acupunture or my faith but it has helped me.  My self esteem is slowly rebuilding and I am glad I'm getting back to my old self.

My face has become more symmetrical..the needles in the face don't hurt ..why? because i have no feeling on the AN side..he..he..lucky me. She also puts some into your legs to help with the circulation.  I go once a week for about an hour 40 mins which consist of the needles then u just lie and relax the whole time cool with me I can get a little siesta..and 20 mins of her just doing a massage on the face.

I always leave feeling revitalised and renewed. I've also been taking fish oil tablets also..so we will see..Good news though two weeks ago where she usually puts the needle I jolted when she stuck it in..She smiled and said that was a good sign..feeling was slowly returning.

Well dear just thought I'd share my experience..Will let u know how I'm going. Take care xxooxx Nia

[jazzfunkanne]

am in the uk and have seen good changes over the past few months , i use the Trophic Electrical Stimulation (TES) , you have too use it under the supervison of a trained physio, it is applied to muscle with the specific purpose of influencing its metabolic pathway. It helps the body in the natural healing process and prevents or reverses the changes associated with atrophy. Basically it helps with the nutritional growth and development of the muscle. It operates on frequencies similar to those used by the healthy nerve and therefore operates on both the red/slow and white/fast muscle fibres. I know another member in america has bought this machine.

[mimoore]

I take a high potency multi vitamin, Omega 369 and B-Complex each day. I have a massage once a month. All have helped. I have resumed my normal life - this has also helped. This has been a rough journey for me but I refuse to let this AN take over my life.
Michelle