Bells Palsy and the after effects

How it all started

It was on the 10th Of January 2019 that suddenly i felt wobbly on my legs, I was unable walk properly and felt like a drunkard walking unsteadily. I found my left eye was not blinking and I was unable to close it. I also felt a little strange that I was hearing little less on my left ear. I reported this to my wife and daughter-in-law and we decided to visit the nearby nursing home the next day,

Next day we visited "Nerul Hospital" managed and run by Dr. Mitkari- a leading Homeopath where many specialists visit for multiple ailments of patients. I was referred to The Resident RMO who after a preliminary examination ruled out paralysis and diagnosd it as an attack of "Bells Palsy" where one side of the facial muscles are affected, in my case being the left side. Dr Mitkari referred me to Dr Anil Kukreja at The Terna Speciality Hospital in Nerul. We rushed to the Terna hospital and and I was admitted for an MRI scan and further tests for a more detailed study of the disorder. Dr Sunil Kutti, A specialist Neurologist was also consulted.

When The MRI reports were examined it was found out that it was indeed an attack of Bells Palsy. I was asked to undergo some medication and a physiotherapy treatment at the Terna Physiotherapy College.

What is "Bell's Palsy"?

Bell’s palsy is a condition in which the muscles on one side of your face become weak or paralyzed. It affects only one side of the face at a time, causing it to droop or become stiff on that side.

It’s caused by some kind of trauma to the seventh cranial nerve. This is also called the “facial nerve.” Bell’s palsy can happen to anyone. But it seems to occur more often in people who have diabetes or are recovering from viral infections.

Most of the time, symptoms are only temporary.

There’s no test that can tell you for sure if you have Bell’s palsy. In fact, doctors usually find out through what they call a "diagnosis of exclusion." That means in most cases, they determine you have Bell's palsy only after other conditions have been ruled out.

Your doctor will start by doing a complete and careful physical exam. If he suspects you have Bell’s palsy, he’ll try to close your eyelid on the affected side of your face. If it doesn’t close, it’ll signal that you have what doctors call “the Bell phenomenon.” With this condition, your eye rolls upward and outward when you try to close it.

Your doctor will then try to rule out other conditions. He’ll probably test your hearing and sense of balance. He may also order several tests, such as skull X-rays, a computed tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Electrical testing may help clarify the diagnosis. It may also help him predict how fast and fully you’ll recover.

I reported to Dr Jui Dave , head of the Physiotherapy- Nerve section who examined the reports and recommended stimulation of the facial nerves for the cure of the eye not closing and the hearing defect and a  series of physical  exercises to correct my instability in walking.

The Terna Physiotherapy College

The Terna Physiotherapy college is subdivided into different categories- Phyiotherapy -Neuro, Musculoskeletal, Cardiosvascular and respiratory and Community Rehabilitation. I was referred to The Neuro division as the nerves on the left side of my face were affected and needed Electrical stimulations to Activate them.

The Physiotherapy- Neuro Team

The Terna Physiotherapy-Neuro Team

                 Photos  of some of the facilities at Terna

The Belles{Beautiful young ladies) of Terna 

So I walk into the Terna Physiotherapy college with One eye open ,legs wobbling walking like a drunkard, a little hard of hearing on my left ear. A sight to behold!!! And what do I see ? A group of pretty young ladies welcoming me with wide smiles and calling me "Uncle". It felt better that they called me Uncle rather than Grandpa. I felt not so old suddenly!!!

When one is young you hear stories fo angels descending from heaven to help people in need. When I saw the young ladies I felt they were angels who came to help me.

I was handed over to Dr Loveleen- and her team for the initial treatment. I found Dr Loveleen to be a very patient, sincere and a very considerate doctor who treated her patients with utmost respect and was never once annoyed when I made mistakes, the lovely smile never leaving her face,

We started off right earnestly with the Electrical stimulation of the damaged nerves. That is how how I came "Under The Wires" The Electrical Stimulating machine is an equipment where the Therapist administers mid electric shocks on the affected nerves f the patient, talikng to the patient to know the right amount of current being administered. 


The treatment went on for about 10 days after which I found encouraging improvement on my eye as well as my physical  hand eye co-ordination and walking which had steadied quite a lot. 

Me Under the "Wire". Electrical stimulation in progress

For the second part of the treatment I was handed over to Dr Vaishali and her team. While the electrical stimulation of facial muscles continued I was started on further physical exercises. 

I was also asked to undertake various physical exercises to correct my imbalance in walking.

I was asked to walk The Figure Eight.  I was very unsteady on my feet and I required the support of a Therapist assistant to hold my hand lest I fall down and injure myself. 

I was asked to catch and throw back a ball to and fro, again with the  therapist assistant.

I was asked to undergo various facial exercises like raising my eyebrows, bringing my eyebrows together, stack a set of blocks etc. 

I was asked to stand and keep my feet on the numbers called out with either feet

Standing on either leg alternatively with the support of the therapist assistant.

I place on record my sincere thanks to Dr Loveleen, Dr Vaishali. I also thank Razia  who helped me with my exercises and taught me Patience as I have been an impatient man all my life. I learnt the value of Patience and dedication after seeing the team Of Physiotherapy- Neuro.

That then is the story as I was struck with "Bell's Pa;sy" and ended up with "Belles as Pals(Friends).