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Sat 4 Jan, 2014 03:31 pm
There's a little bit of background on this one, because I think they might be connected:
On Dec 23 (a Monday), I experienced a major migraine, the worst headache I've ever had, concentrated behind my left eye, with a sharp, stabbing pain. I've had sinus headaches like that in the past, and since my roommate currently had a cold, I figured I was just getting sick from her. I tried to sleep it off and it went away a few hours later.
Later that week (Friday), my tongue started feeling weird, like it's partially numb. I thought it was a reaction to the medicine I was taking (for the cold that I thought I had) or because I was starting my period, so maybe my body was just being weird about it.
On Tuesday of this week (New Years Eve), I noticed that there was a loss of of the left side of my lower lip. Not completely, but it was definitely enough to noticed a difference. Yesterday, I finally noticed that there is a definite drooping on the left side of my face. On my left eye, my cheek and nose, and my left side of my lower lip.
It's only enough that I noticed it, and if I point it out, someone else can notice it. But it definitely wasn't there before, and I know it's something to be concerned of.
I don't really have the money to see a doctor until the end of the month, and the amount of droop hasn't gotten any worse, so I'm wondering if there is any advice out there about it? Should I definitely see a doctor right away, or is it possibly something that can wait, since it hasn't gotten worse?
Thanks for your help!
@pmparry,
See a doctor.
I don't want to unnecessarily alarm you, but uneven facial droop can be the sign of a stroke. That's according to the
Cleveland Clinic.
@jespah,
That was also my reaction as I was reading your description. Please don't wait, call your doctor and have someone drive you, don't try to drive yourself.
Quote:pmparry said: I don't really have the money to see a doctor until the end of the month
Sounds like a mild stroke. I presume you're in America where you have to pay for doctors, so if i were you I'd fake a collapse in public somewhere (a restaurant, bar room, police station, hospital steps, bus or train station etc) and pretend to be semi-conscious so that somebody'd be forced to call an ambulance to take you to hospital where you'd be tended to, and worry about paying later.
Alternatively fake it from the comfort of your home by simply phoning for an ambulance and begin by telling the dispatcher in a weak voice-"help, i'm on the floor..."
@jespah,
It could be Bell's Palsy. But we're not doctors - you need to see one asap.
@Romeo Fabulini,
yeah.
a police station might be best.
that way if he is found out, he won't have to walk far to jail.
where he can get free health care as well...
It could also be Bells Palsy - which also needs to be seen by a doctor immediately -
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bells-palsy/basics/symptoms/CON-20020529
quoting -
Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Signs and symptoms of Bell's palsy come on suddenly, and may include:
Rapid onset of mild weakness to total paralysis on one side of your face — occurring within hours to days — making it difficult to smile or close your eye on the affected side
Facial droop and difficulty making facial expressions
Pain around the jaw or in or behind your ear on the affected side
Increased sensitivity to sound on the affected side
Headache
A decrease in your ability to taste
Changes in the amount of tears and saliva you produce
In rare cases, Bell's palsy can affect the nerves on both sides of your face.
When to see a doctor
Seek immediate medical help if you experience any type of paralysis because you may be having a stroke. Bell's palsy is not caused by a stroke. See your doctor if you experience facial weakness or drooping, to determine the underlying cause and severity of the illness.
I am so glad I don't live somewhere you have to pay at the point of delivery for healthcare. Probably an unworthy thought... could this be a false story, a misguided attempt to boost what Usians call "socialized medicine"?
@contrex,
Usians?
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
But no, I don't think so. Trouble is, she needs to go to emergency unless there's a family doctor and that is a royal pain unless they take you right away. But given the palsy, I bet they would.
But - her family doctor may not require immediate payment. I hope she has called him or her.
@contrex,
contrex wrote:
I am so glad I don't live somewhere you have to pay at the point of delivery for healthcare.
That's exactly what I thought.
@izzythepush,
I think he knows that... it's not as bad as "Amerikkkan".
@contrex,
I'm a woman. I don't know any of us people in the u.s. who like to be called usians. Perhaps there are some.
@ossobuco,
ossobuco wrote:
It could also be Bells Palsy - which also needs to be seen by a doctor immediately
That's what I was thinking too. Doesn't sound like a stroke with the symptoms progressing over weeks, not hours.
@ossobuco,
I don't particularly like being referred to as a Brit, I see myself as English primarily, although I am British and European as well.
Believe me, there's far worse terms Contrex could use if he saw fit.
@izzythepush,
I know there are worse terms. ; )
@ossobuco,
ossobuco wrote:I'm a woman.
Sorry, I just assumed that you were male because osso is a male-gendered Italian word.
@contrex,
contrex wrote:
osso is a male-gendered Italian word.
... and Italian given names ending in -o tend to belong to males.
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