Afternoon appointment with the neurologist. Still quite dizzy, vertigo had subsided. Told the dr. about the vertigo, and my assumption that it was caused by the Neurontin. He said it was a possibility and didn’t seem to question it too much. I mentioned that I was still experiencing pain in and all around the ear, the swollen gland and that the pain had extended to the left side of my thyroid. I was also experiencing dull headaches in the left temple and forehead region, and tenderness on the left side of my scalp and an area behind my left ear. Once again, he questioned me about the presence of lesions or blisters, which I had none. He said that it could be branches of the nerve reacting to the damage from the inflammation.

I was able to move the left side of my mouth very slightly. Was experiencing facial spasms, and still experiencing the pain, although it had become a little less. Or at least that was what I had been trying to convince myself. I could force my eye lid to move very slightly at that visit. On exam, my hearing loss appeared to be less, but I mentioned that I had begun to notice sensitivity to loud noise. He said that wasn’t unusual and would probably get better as the nerves heal.

The doctor read the report from the MRI confirming 7th cranial and possibly the 8th cranial nerve inflammation, consistent with BP. He said that in some cases the inflammation of the 7th cranial nerve can push on the 8th (they run next to each other in the ear canal) causing it to become inflamed. I knew that I had a narrow canal in the left ear, so it made sense.

I was told that the facial spasms could be a good sign as the nerves regenerate and try to fire impulses. Overall progress appeared pretty good.

We discussed my returning to work at the beginning of August and decided that I would delay it for a few weeks since I was still experiencing fatigue, pain and dizziness. The level of activity and responsibility of my job warranted me being in better health than I was to be able to return right away. And, from what I had been reading, rest and lack of stress where important for recovery. My “M.O.” in the past had been to “push myself”. This condition (and my husband!) convinced me that I needed to do what was best for my health. Work was going to have to survive without me for a little while.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me! Just don’t remember a whole lot about it, though. No, not because I partied too much! Oh, how I wish! Instead, it was just another day dealing with pain and everything else. At least the “moon face” has gone down a bit!