Bristol Palin, 34, has taken to Instagram to reveal her struggle with sudden facial paralysis. She detailed her alarming experience to her followers, explaining the rapid onset and progression of her symptoms.
According to the Daily Mail, Bristol Palin, daughter of Sarah Palin, announced she has been suffering from facial paralysis for over a week, believed to be Bell's palsy, sharing her medical journey transparently on social media.
It all started nine days ago, according to Palin, when she first noticed an unusual sensation on her face. "It all began nine days ago when I first noticed that my face was suddenly 'pulling' to the left," she shared in a post.
The symptoms quickly escalated within hours. Palin described the rapid progression: "Within a couple of hours, the entire left side of my face was numb and just paralyzed." The left side of her face showed nearly zero movement, which prompted an immediate doctor's visit.
After experiencing these initial symptoms, Palin underwent several medical tests and a CT scan to determine the cause of her sudden paralysis. Despite the comprehensive testing, "Nothing came back from the tests or CT scan," she noted, leaving the medical team to suspect Bell's palsy.
Over the next few days, Palin began a regimen of steroids and other medications as prescribed by her doctor. She also turned to acupuncture, a form of treatment she advocated for on her social media, highlighting its benefits in her condition. "If you know anyone who has any of these symptoms, I would highly suggest going more of the Eastern medicine route," she urged.
By the second day, her condition worsened, with her left eye becoming extremely dry due to her inability to blink fully. She documented this worsening through Instagram videos, providing daily updates on her condition.
Following five days with little to no improvement, Palin started to notice a slight change by the eighth day. "I'm finally starting to get some sensation back. It’s been a little painful the last two days which is a good indication that it's getting better," she expressed with cautious optimism.
Her partial recovery began showing promising signs, with her face appearing less crooked and some mobility returning. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, improvement in Bell's palsy conditions usually begins around the two-week mark, and complete recovery can take three to six months.
Reflecting on her experience, Palin shared a poignant thought: "The next time I say my nose is long and I want a nose job, I am going to remember this and I'm just going to be so thankful to have a normal, functioning face because this has been wild."
As she continues her journey toward recovery, Palin remains hopeful and continues to share her experiences, advocating for awareness and understanding of Bell's palsy. Her story not only highlights the challenges of sudden health issues but also the importance of immediate medical attention and the potential benefits of integrating Eastern medical practices into Western treatment plans.
