Former Sen. Coleman has Bell’s Palsy

[a kennedy]

By Paul Schmelzer

Norm Coleman has Bell’s Palsy, a paralysis of the cranial nerve that affects the muscles in the face, according to the inaugural story by BringMeTheNews.com, former KARE anchor Rick Kupchella’s just-launched news site. In a video posted Thursday night, Coleman — his face visibly affected by the nerve condition — says he first noticed symptoms during a Sept. 2 flight from Washington, D.C., to Minneapolis. He noticed the paralysis in the left side of his face while drinking water, when he says he “realized something was dribbling out of one side and not the other.”

He tells Kupchella that the so-far incurable nerve paralysis won’t affect his future plans.

“It puts a lot of things in perspective — my smile is a part of me. I love to smile, and to all of sudden — part of your face isn’t working as it used to — the good news is it will.”

article: <http://minnesotaindependent.com/44345/former-sen-coleman-has-bells-palsy#more-44345>

[hobbit709]

1. I had that back in 1972.

after about 2 months it went away

[lamp_shade]

2. Incurable? My mother had it on the left side of her face. It went away within a couple of months.

[HillbillyBob]

4. As in there is no cure and not much in the way of treatment

It has to go away on its own. A friend had it and it took several years for it to finally clear up and his face to return to mobility..though his expressions were a bit lopsided for a couple more years after that.
The worst symptoms last 2 months,according to what he said his dr told him.

[lamp_shade]

6. Good point. Thanks. Interestingly, within a year or two she developed PSP

(Progressive Supranuclear Palsy)... the same thing that killed Dudley Moore. She hung on for about 5 years and passed away 2 years ago. RIP Mom.

[Maine-ah]

9. not everyone recovers from it.

I had it in 1992. My senior year in high school. I recovered mostly. Stuff I notice, that nobody else does.

[DainBramaged]

3. I had it the year BEFORE they discovered my second brain tumor

(December 2006) and if I had been sent for an MRI at that time by my doctor, they would have probably discovered my tumor sooner and I would still have sight in my right eye.

As much as I despise Norm Coleman I hope he recovers and has no lasting side effects or any hidden brain problems. I still suffer from problems on the right side of my face, my smile isn't as full, my right eyelid opens weird, it simply sucked.

[madokie]

5. But the good news is

that you're still here helping us to fight the good fight. Its not so much the disability that is important it is what one does in spite of it that is.

[DainBramaged]

8. ................

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[The Straight Story]

7. Had it once, Dr. gave me steroids and it went away

Was freaky :) Got it on my birthday in 1999 or 98.

[leftynyc]

10. I had it 8 years ago

Anti-virals, steroids and acupuncture for treatment - went away in around a month.