I was wondering if anyone knew of any difficulties of diving with Bells Palsey. For those who don't know what it is, it is when the facial muscles on one side of the face quit working for a period of time (up to 6 months). I just got it a couple of days ago and I have already paid for a 3 day dive trip on the GBR. My breathing and everything is fine. I can equalize pressure fine and I have no congestion or anything. I can bite down on a reg so I don't see any problems there. Any info would be great. Thanks.
Bells Palsy
- Thread starter cheezbay
- Start date
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Is there a chance you could get the money refunded after you inform the agent ofyour medical condition?
if not...
Have they been able to isolate the cause of the paralysis, is it viral?
Are you currently taking any medications for it?
If so ensure they are compatable with diving...
If it was me (only one cranial nerve is affected and you mentioned the symptoms are not bilateral..)I would have a neurological examination filled out and take it with me to ensure any post dive problems could be clearly defined. The nuero should concentrate on the area of decreased sensation, this will allow medical personel to have a fixed reference point in the event of a diving injury.
Other than that I would ensure of course that I had no problems maintaining a seal on any of my equipment...
Hopefully the symptoms will resolve prior to your trip and become a non-issue, good luck either way and I hope you have a speedy recovery!!
I am not a doctor, I am hopeful someone can give you a more accurate recommendation...
Jeff Lane
if not...
Have they been able to isolate the cause of the paralysis, is it viral?
Are you currently taking any medications for it?
If so ensure they are compatable with diving...
If it was me (only one cranial nerve is affected and you mentioned the symptoms are not bilateral..)I would have a neurological examination filled out and take it with me to ensure any post dive problems could be clearly defined. The nuero should concentrate on the area of decreased sensation, this will allow medical personel to have a fixed reference point in the event of a diving injury.
Other than that I would ensure of course that I had no problems maintaining a seal on any of my equipment...
Hopefully the symptoms will resolve prior to your trip and become a non-issue, good luck either way and I hope you have a speedy recovery!!
I am not a doctor, I am hopeful someone can give you a more accurate recommendation...
Jeff Lane
Soggy
Contributor
My mother had Bells Palsey several years ago and it scared the bejezzus out of her....thought she might have had a stroke. My understanding is that Bells Palsey is somewhat of a mystery. I "believe" that the nerves on one side of the face just spontaneously die or something happens to the mylin(sp) coating the nerves. At that time, doctors were noting that it frequently occurred on the left side of the face in adults and the right side in children....there were several theories, one being driving in the car with the window open. Those theories are all probably outdated now...this was like 10 years ago.
She was on a steroid treatment for it.
My mother had a problem where she had to hold her mouth shut on that side to use a straw. That would be my main concern...sucking in water without even knowing it. You may be able to bite down on the mouthpiece, but can you make a watertight seal? She also needed to tape her eyelid shut at night because she couldn't control the opening/closing of her eye...she would sneeze without blinking! Assuming the same is true for you, how would you handle your mask being knocked off underwater...can you swim in salt water with your eyes open without a mask?
I AM NOT A DOCTOR...NOR DO I HAVE ANY MEDICAL TRAINING
I am only speaking from experience with a relative. Take whatever I have said with a grain of salt.
wrecNcaver
Contributor
My mother went through an episode of Bells Palsey. Just one thing, she became tired very easily. When she did, the facial muscles drooped even more. You may want to call DAN to see if they have info on this. Good thing is that it clears up on its own. Best of luck to you and dive safe.
you probably have NO movement of the muscles on one side of your face, right?.
The difficulties I see based on my episode would be:
I wasn't able to blink my eye. This would be very uncomfortable in a mask at depth where you wouldn't be able to re-moisturize your eye. I wouldn't want to risk an injury. Your MD most likely gave you drops to help keep your eye wet.
I had no use of half of my mouth. While you may be able to bite down, can you make a good enough seal around the reg long enough to make a dive?
Mask fit. With the lack of nerve function, your face is now probably asymmetrical. You might experience some leakage do to nothing lining up on either side of you mask.
This WILL go away. It took me about 4 weeks to begin to regain function, 4 more weeks to appear normal (well.....as near to normal as I can appear).
Is this the first thread of a new forum? DEEP- Divers Enduring Episodal Palsey
Good luck cheezbay and welcome to the board.
The difficulties I see based on my episode would be:
I wasn't able to blink my eye. This would be very uncomfortable in a mask at depth where you wouldn't be able to re-moisturize your eye. I wouldn't want to risk an injury. Your MD most likely gave you drops to help keep your eye wet.
I had no use of half of my mouth. While you may be able to bite down, can you make a good enough seal around the reg long enough to make a dive?
Mask fit. With the lack of nerve function, your face is now probably asymmetrical. You might experience some leakage do to nothing lining up on either side of you mask.
This WILL go away. It took me about 4 weeks to begin to regain function, 4 more weeks to appear normal (well.....as near to normal as I can appear).
Is this the first thread of a new forum? DEEP- Divers Enduring Episodal Palsey
Good luck cheezbay and welcome to the board.
Jersey
Contributor
My sympathies. I had Bells, started June 2001. I was taking classes at the time and had physician clear me to dive, with precautions. The dive shop had no problems letting me dive. However, due to some of the issues aquaviper states - inability to close eye, inability to fully close mouth around reg, and high doses of steroids, I did not get in the water. Let's face it, I couldn't keep food in my mouth, let alone feel secure with a reg at depth. I was out of the water for 3 weeks.
The steroids worked pretty quickly and I also took antioxidants and vitamins (especially B complex). Fairly complete resolution within 3 months. I still have residual problems, one eye (the first site to hit) droops and tears up constantly, I get stress headaches if I am on computer too much. But most people can't tell.
The source of Bells is not really known, virus may be indicated, some claim episodes of Lyme disease can trigger (I have had Lyme), stress (I was going through a separation at the time), accident, dental work if the hit the nerve the wrong way. Who knows?
I am not a doctor and any information is given as a former Bells sufferer, based on my personal experience. You mention your trip, but not the remaining time until you leave. Talk to your Doc about how long they estimate resolution. Good luck and keep us posted as to your progress.
The steroids worked pretty quickly and I also took antioxidants and vitamins (especially B complex). Fairly complete resolution within 3 months. I still have residual problems, one eye (the first site to hit) droops and tears up constantly, I get stress headaches if I am on computer too much. But most people can't tell.
The source of Bells is not really known, virus may be indicated, some claim episodes of Lyme disease can trigger (I have had Lyme), stress (I was going through a separation at the time), accident, dental work if the hit the nerve the wrong way. Who knows?
I am not a doctor and any information is given as a former Bells sufferer, based on my personal experience. You mention your trip, but not the remaining time until you leave. Talk to your Doc about how long they estimate resolution. Good luck and keep us posted as to your progress.
Natasha
Contributor
Good link. Lot's of info. Surprising it lists "Scuba Diving" under possible Trauma.
I was just told Sunday that my sister in law has this right now.
She is not a diver, but she is taking it very hard.
I'll be looking forward to the doctor's imput.
I was just told Sunday that my sister in law has this right now.
She is not a diver, but she is taking it very hard.
I'll be looking forward to the doctor's imput.
This is a discussion you should have with your doctor. If your doctor is not familiar with diving, he can consult a diving specialist at DAN.
A friend of mine also had Bell's Palsey. She developed symptoms shortly after a dive and it was originally thought to be DCS. Hyperbaric treatments obviously did not help.
A friend of mine also had Bell's Palsey. She developed symptoms shortly after a dive and it was originally thought to be DCS. Hyperbaric treatments obviously did not help.
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