The doctors think that i have bells palsy and they want me to get 2nerve tests done on my face, a blood test..

and an MRI, I am EXTREMELY clostrophobic, and I also am afraid of needles! I was wondering if anyone had any advice from experience that could tell me what happens,(how do they take blood, do a nerve test and an MRI) I have never had any of these things done before so I am really nervous (my face is paralized on both sides) I looked on the web and it said that bells palsy can affect both sides of the face and it is called bilateral bells palsy, it also said that bilateral facial palsy is rare accounting for less than 1% of cases. Has anyone else ever had it on both sides of their face before and if so how long did it take to go away, did you fully recover ect. Thanks.

ps. I am only 15 years old.

The thing about Bells Palsy is there is no test for it. They have to rule out many other conditions so that they are sure it is just Bells Palsy and not something much more serious.

When I come down with it I had a CAT scan as well as a MRI to rule out strokes and tumors. I also had bloodwork out the ying yang and saw many specialists such as an neurologist and ear nose and throat doctor.

I wanted to tell you about vitamin B-12 therapy. I didnt start to show improvement until I started getting the shots. I heard about it from a local support group and many had used it before and swore by it. Here is a site that has a bit of info on B-12 therapy as well as some other alternative treatments as well.

http://associatedcontent.decenturl.com/a...

Edited to add: Did you know they can sedate you or give you something to relax when you have your MRI? I panic in the tube and they give me something to relax me and usually I go to sleep in there because Im so relaxed I dont care any more. Ask your doctor and I bet they will fix you up so it wont be traumatizing for you. :-)

Good Luck and all....

i've heard accupuncture really works for bell's palsy.

im sorry i dont know but go to Web MD it tells you it all and dont worry its nothing i have had blood test they dont really hurt

i'm 15 also.
i got an mri before, its fun, you can just sleep its nothing bad just lie down on a mattress thingy and u get moved electronically into a head chamber and some xrays are taken and u get moved out. its easy

a blood test is also easy, i didnt feel it when i got one, they just stick a needle into you and take out some blood i didnt even feel it just look away and think of me =]

i havent taken a nerve test so i cant help you there.

if you have bells palsy, i wouldn't even have the test taken. it's just a matter of waiting it out. it goes away in its own time. the blood test is done with a needle. they tie your arm with a thing that looks like a rubber band. it's ok. a nerve test usually just consist of them just lightly tapping certain parts of your body. it's ok too. you can get what's called an open MRI and that would help you too feel better (claustrophobic.) just go with it and i have faith that all will be good.