Eye dryness had begun to show improvement. I was thankful that I had the smarts to go to the ophthalmologist. Other than that, no improvements. Inside the ear was starting to feel very sore and irritated.

No sleep again.

Stopped using the ear ointment. I thought that I must have been having a reaction. It seemed to be irritating the inside of my ear. The pain was worse. I thought briefly about “that Ramsay Hunt Syndrome” and that it mentioned blisters in the ear. Could it be…nope, no way.

No relief from the pain or dizziness. I wasn’t able to do much more than move from the bed to the couch. Had to grab furniture, the wall for support.

My kitties and dogs seemed to want to help make me feel better. I cautiously snuggled and pet them, a bit fearful for the cat and dog hair getting in my eyes. I decided that I need swim goggles or safety glasses to wear during the day. With 8 furry animals, even the best housekeeper couldn’t keep the animal hair under control. And, I never claimed to be the best housekeeper and nothing got done during the past week.

I told my husband about the goggles and he got on it as soon as he could. He picked up both swimming goggles and safety glasses. I started with the swim goggle look. It was very hip, you know, crooked face and all. But I did feel better psychologically. Last thing I needed was some foreign body in my eye!

My husband has been so great, trying to take care of me, taking off work when he can. He’s taking care of everything.

Still wasn’t getting any sleep. Just couldn’t get a comfortable position. The pain!

Still no improvement. I just wished that I could have slept more. My head felt so strange. Others I know who were familiar with friends or relatives who had BP said that pain wasn’t a problem. Am I some strange case? It seems when I get stuff, it always comes with a strange twist. I was anxious to see what the neuro and MRI would reveal.

Eye felt so much better. The new ointments and gel seemed to be helping. Other symptoms were the same.

MRI appointment. You can leave your eyes opened or closed, but don’t move! I began with my eyes open since I couldn’t close the left eye. That was a mistake. My right eye began to water and sting as I was afraid to blink it during the test. Thank heavens the first test was a short 2 minute test. After That, I decided to close my eyes, well, my right one at least. That was much more comfortable. 45 minutes of thumping and clicking and my head in a brace. They had trouble getting the needle in the vein to inject the solution for the contrast part of the MRI. Other than being uncomfortable because of the ear pain, it wasn’t bad. At least the thumping and clicking had a good beat!

Still totally couch and bed bound. Can’t sleep, can’t eat.

Neurologist appointment: Nearly passed out in the waiting room. I was so ill, so much pain, having hot flashes and heart palpitations. (Could it have been prednisone related?) I wasn’t feeling nervous about the appointment, perhaps a little anxious, but hopeful that I could get some answers and something to help the pain.

Physically, I was not doing well, just leaning on my husband as we waited for 2 hours in the waiting room.

Shortly before being called, I began to feel a bit better. Another hour wait in the exam room. We were told it might be a long wait since I had been squeezed into the schedule. They weren’t kidding.

The NP and Neurologist listened to the history of my onset of BP and asked if I had seen or experienced any lesions anywhere. I hadn’t. He asked if the other 2 doctors (GP and ER) that I had seen in the past 10 days had seen any. They hadn’t. On exam everything appeared to be fine, except some hearing loss on the affected side, and of course the facial paralysis. I mentioned that I stopped using the ear ointment because of increased irritation and pain, but he told me that the ear was clear. He didn’t have the radiologist report for the MRI, but I had the disc and he had taken a quick look at it and said it appeared that there was nerve inflammation that would confirm the BP. Since the 10 day course of prednisone hadn’t touched the pain, he prescribed medrol, another corticosteroid.

He placed me on Neurontin for the nerve pain. I was glad to hear that it could possibly relieve the horrible pain, and that I might get some sleep. My husband and I left feeling hopeful for the days ahead.

Off to the ophthalmologist follow-up appt. He was pleased to see the improvement in the cornea and said to continue using the gel and ointment. He said that I shouldn’t need to return and wished me luck with the BP.