Post by JAFisher44 on Jul 13, 2013 12:29:34 GMT -7
So, for about the last 15 years I have had oral herpes (cold sores). Many people have this affliction and don't even know about it. A large percentage of people who have Herpes Simplex type 1 will never have an outbreak.
I am not one of those people, I have severe outbreaks about once a month without treatment. By supplementing my diet with large doses of Lysine I am able to cut that down to about two outbreaks a year. These outbreaks are painful and embarrassing, but manageable and after all this time have just become another fact of life for me.
However, this Monday I discovered a new possible complication of this virus. It is called Bell's Palsy. Apparently the herpes virus can infect the cranial nerve VII and deaden it, causing facial paralysis.
Cranial nerve VII:
Monday this happened to me. I cannot move any of the muscles in my lips, cheek, forehead, etc. on the right side of my face. Also, the nerve that controls taste is in the same cluster and I cannot taste on most of my tongue. It is very frustrating and annoying.
Thankfully the majority of people who experience this heal fully within two weeks. I hope sincerely that I will be one of those people. However, there is the possibility that it can persist for long periods of time, or even be permanent.
The most frightening part of this paralysis is that I cannot blink my right eye properly and I have to take special care to make sure it stays moist and clean. If I do not I could receive permanent damage to my eye that can cause impairment, or even permanent blindness.
Anyway. It has only been 5 days, and I still hope for the best. I just thought I'd unload a little and let you guys know about my woes. Thanks for listening (reading).
Joshua Fisher
I am not one of those people, I have severe outbreaks about once a month without treatment. By supplementing my diet with large doses of Lysine I am able to cut that down to about two outbreaks a year. These outbreaks are painful and embarrassing, but manageable and after all this time have just become another fact of life for me.
However, this Monday I discovered a new possible complication of this virus. It is called Bell's Palsy. Apparently the herpes virus can infect the cranial nerve VII and deaden it, causing facial paralysis.
Cranial nerve VII:
Monday this happened to me. I cannot move any of the muscles in my lips, cheek, forehead, etc. on the right side of my face. Also, the nerve that controls taste is in the same cluster and I cannot taste on most of my tongue. It is very frustrating and annoying.
Thankfully the majority of people who experience this heal fully within two weeks. I hope sincerely that I will be one of those people. However, there is the possibility that it can persist for long periods of time, or even be permanent.
The most frightening part of this paralysis is that I cannot blink my right eye properly and I have to take special care to make sure it stays moist and clean. If I do not I could receive permanent damage to my eye that can cause impairment, or even permanent blindness.
Anyway. It has only been 5 days, and I still hope for the best. I just thought I'd unload a little and let you guys know about my woes. Thanks for listening (reading).
Joshua Fisher