spent the day in the ER UPDATED, another UPDATE

YankeePeach08 · January 2014

So I woke up with am and one side of my face was getting numb and tingly. My eyes and mouth weren't drooping but half was definitely numb. I thought it may be Bells Palsy, which is common in PG women (especially during third trimester) or possibly the start of toxemia and pre-eclampsia.

I called the on-call OB and she said to go to the ER, as it wouldn't affect the babies and they would be able to diagnose it better.

The ER doctor couldn't diagnose it as Belsy Palsy b/c my forehead wasn't affected at all. She gave me the option of a CT scan (which involves radiation) or waiting it out to see if my symptoms worsened and involved my forehead. My H and I thought it would be better to wait it out for a while but then Dr. wanted to do an MRI w/o the contrast dye as that would be safer. She didn't know what was going on though. The MRI would help rule out mini-stroke and brain tumors.

That MRI was the scariest experience of my life...that shit is tough!!! it is hard enough to lay on my back for 4 minutes let alone 40! I freaked out before they even got my forehead in the machine and had to stop. They had a Hannibal Lecter like thing over my face and once they took that off I was much better.

SO I made it through the MRI, which thankfully came back all normal. They finally sent me home and have no idea what is wrong with me. I"m supposed up with a neurologist next week.

They symptoms have not changed. It could just be pressure on a facial or cranial nerve, swelling due to the babies or possibly a virus that is causing it.

Luckily through all of this there was/is nothing wrong with the babies. They couldn't say whether it was related to pregnancy or not even.

Feel free to offer a guess as to WTF is wrong with me

I will update is symptoms change and after I see a neurologist.

My next OB appt. is on Wednesday.

UPDATE: So, um back at the ER. This am the symptoms in the right side of my face are worse (mouth is visibly droopy) and I have some symptoms on the left side. My left forehead has some paralysis and I can't close my left eye all the way. Hopefully seeing a different doctor will help. Even though it isn't textbook Bell's palsy it is so close that I wish they would just treat it that way. UPDATE #2 Saw a new doc, he said it is def Bell's palsy on the left side. Not sure why the right side was tingly yesterday. They are just consulting with OB on meds for it. WhyTF couldn't they figure this out yesterday before I spent 7 hours and went through an MRI???? I'm greatdul they were thorough but sometimes I think ER docs like to play with their fancy tools. Thank you for all the suggestions and T and Ps!!!!!

karacakes98 · January 2014

Wow! How scary. I hope the neuro can give you some answers!

Stowne101 · January 2014

Oh that sounds scary. I had an MRI once on my knee and I freaked out too! Hope you feel better and it goes away.

LiFeIsAmIrAcLe · January 2014

So sorry you went through that! I hope they find out what's wrong! Glad that everything is okay with your two little ones!

jennybean80 · January 2014

Eek, scary! It does sound a bit like Bell's Palsy, but it's usually the drooping that really diagnosis it. Sorry that the MRI was so tough, and hope they figure it out soon for you!!

BethRN1987 · January 2014

((Hugs))

kmeyers0611 · January 2014

Glad the babies are on, but I am so sorry you had to go through this

you are one tough mama! I will keep you in my prayers!!

kls33145 · January 2014

Sounds very scary

Thinking of you and hoping they figure out what's going on asap!
Take it easy and keep us posted!

ndpoole · January 2014

T&P

WoodShopGirl · January 2014

Happy thoughts! And if they want a repeat MRI, see if you can find a place with an open MRI unit. It will help with the claustrophobic feeling.

awhitworth926 · January 2014

Praying you get answers - and relief - soon!

cdnmomma · January 2014

so scary! sorry you are dealing with this. sending you hugs and thoughts.

ladyglittersparkles · January 2014

Very scary! Hope they figure out what's going on

amsat · January 2014

Scary!! I'll keep you in my t&p!

twinlove314 · January 2014

That's scary! Glad the babies are ok, and hopefully they can get you all figured out ASAP

CherryPicked · January 2014

Scary! Google "central seven" to see what it sounds like they are suspecting - if only your lower face is affected it is more likely an upper motor neuron lesion than a facial nerve lesion - so it is good that they did an MRI and that it was clean!

Hopefully the neurologist is able to give you some answers - that is scary! Are you able to move your face fine? If so then it could be something different entirely - sensation from the face is carried in the 5th cranial nerve, which has several branches which could explain your forehead not being affected.

Hope speculation by someone who has taken a few neurology classes is helpful and you get answers soon!

legallyginger · January 2014

Oh man, that is super scary! Kudos for making it through the MRI. I couldn't imagine having to lay still on my back for that long, especially with two babies. I hope the neurologist can give you some answers!

mevensen · January 2014

T&Ps that they can get you some answers and all is okay.

nlane0723 · January 2014

How scary! I hope you get some answers soon. T&P's being sent your way!

lisamstark · January 2014

Good job in making it through that! You may want to also go to an ent doc... I had a weird sinus infection one time that caused the left side of my face to go numb. I had to see a bunch of specialists before they could figure it out! I didn't have any symptoms like a stuffed up nose or anything either. Just inflammation pressing on the nerves. A round of abx cleared it right up! Since sinuses are often swollen during pregnancy- might be a good idea to get it checked out!

katykatykaty · January 2014

I'm so sorry! That sounds so scary! I had an MRI while pregnant with my daughter, and it was awful, so I feel for you. I hope you get some answers and that it goes away quickly.

lindsey1031 · January 2014

Whoa! I hope you get an answer soon and it's nothing serious. Way to go for making it through the MRI! That sounds nerve-racking! I'm glad the babies are okay - I'll be keeping up with your posts to see how things progress. FX in the meantime!

Nickiechan · January 2014

Wow that has to be scary. DH had Bells Palsy over the summer after he got laid off from his job and he just told me that he could wrinkle his forehead and the doctor still gave him anti - inflammatory and anti-viral. His doctor said that if you dont have feeling/movement in forehead that it is a more serious case. They were also concerned it may have been Lyme disease but it turned out to be just Bells Palsy. Could you make an appointment with your family doctor?

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aguy2011 · January 2014

Prayers for you. Try to stay calm, rely on friends and family for emotional support. I just got out of hospital with newly diagnosed preeclampsia. Having my loved ones has helped so much. And try to only think positives, not whatif thinking. Easier said then done. And stay away from google!!!

Andreabills · January 2014

That sounds incredibly frightening; I'm so sorry that you're going through this! FX that the docs figure out what it is soon! T&Ps to you and babies, I'm glad they looked good today and they aren't in any distress!

ewallace00 · January 2014

Sorry you had to go through this ... MRI's suuuuck! That pounding noise seems like it will go on forever. Hope everything is back to normal quickly.

Wriggley1123 · January 2014

Wow, what a day...so sorry you had to go through all of that. So glad to hear the babies are doing great. You are truly one tough mama....hugs to you!

ntdane · January 2014

Yikes! That's so scary! I am very impressed that you were able to be on your back that long. I struggle with that for any period of time. I'm glad your initial scans came back ok and hope you get answers soon!

benevolentforce · January 2014

So sorry to hear you're unwell, and still not being treated!

I'll hazard a guess based on my own strange neurological experiences, and ask if you've ever had migraines. Once I had what they ended up calling a 'misplaced migraine,' and it caused extremely frightening stroke like symptoms and random numbing. It hasn't happened since, but came on suddenly, and went away just as suddenly.

Will be thinking of you!

ETA: To be clear, the misplacedness of the migraine meant I didn't have any standard migraine symptoms - only these weird ones!

jennbaylor12 · January 2014

Oh how scary!! Fx for a good follow-up appt and to getting some answers

Khedges07 · January 2014

Wow! Sounds like a eventful day for you, I'm sorry

(
Glad all is well with your little ones & really hope you get some answers soon

)
Big hugs

lwebley · January 2014

So sorry. The unknown is a horrible feeling. I had to have an MRI last week as well. My dr. thought I might have appendicitis, but my results were negative, thank goodness. Being in that machine is scary though! Hope your symptoms go away soon!

coreyeliz · January 2014

Man! What a crappy day for you! It really does sound like it might be Bells Palsy. I'm not sure that the forehead has to always be fully involved, but I'm also not a doctor or a nurse. I hope you're feeling better soon. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion. If it is Bells Palsy, getting the steroid early really helps. Good luck!

kelley72 · January 2014

Ts and Ps for you and your los! Hope they have a dx soon and treatment!

Moedowell · January 2014

I hope this helps you get better soon! How scary!! Praying for you and the babies!!

pattipants · January 2014

OMG! So sorry you've had to go through all of this, especially an MRI that didn't lead to any answers! Glad you were able to see a competent doc, and the babies won't be affected!

Andreabills · January 2014

I'm so glad that they found out what it is, just sorry it took so long for a diagnosis! Hopefully they get you some meds and you feel better soon!

jennybean80 · January 2014

Glad you got some answers! Hope you get some treatment started, and get to feeling better. GL

Nickiechan · January 2014

I am so glad they figured it out. I thought it most likely was Bell's Palsy since DH had the same issue, but was able to move his forehead. It was SUPER scary when he got it... so I image it was pretty scary for you too when they said it wasn't Bell's Palsy. I am glad the other doctor could diagnose you. Did they give you some safe medication to help with it? DH said his whole face tingled when he had it. When we researched Bell's Palsy, it is said that pregnancy women get it often. Feel better soon!

ifr8955 · January 2014

From my experience the ED doctor wants to cover his/her ass by ordering the right tests. The MRI is actually more time consuming and decreases the doctor's compensation because most ED physicians are reimbursed based on how quickly they see you, diagnose you, treat you, and discharge/admit you.

I'm glad you got a diagnosis that is easily treatable!

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