Last fall-winter, I suffered from Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. This happens to some people if they have had the Chicken Pox(i had as a kid). RHS is basically a form of the Shingles that affects your face, and for me, my inner ear.

It started as if was an ear infection, and a regular doc prescribed antibiotics. Several days later, I still felt like crap, and then one morning I woke up and the entire left half of my face was paralized(can't spell)!! It was terrifying... The regular doc diagnosed me w/ Bell's Palsy, BP does not actually mean PAIN. A few days later, I was in so much pain that the Vicoden they prescribed was doing NOTHING to numb it(and I am NOT a girl who's used to meds more serious than Alieve!). They sent me to a neurologist, who diagnosed me w/ RHS, and prescribed Valtrex(assuring me that my problem had nothing to do w/ STD's), and mega-high doses of prednisone. He felt that while I would do SOME improving, I would most likely have some permanent damage to my face.

So bit by bit, I improved, and thanks be to my precious God, by February, I had my face back!! The only time you can see anything weird about my face is when I yawn(it goes kinda lopsided). Also, the pain improved before my face did, and I only get little twinges of pain in my ear from time to time.

The neurologist very impressed w/ my healing, and he felt pretty confident that I would not suffer RHS... he just felt the chances were really slim. However, I did not think to ask him about pregnancy. Now, I'm worried that RHS might happen again... I started getting twinges in my ear last night, and while it's bearable, they don't seem to be going away like they normally do.

I'm scared if it happens again that I WON'T heal again this time... there's already some damage to nerves from the FIRST bout of RHS... Like anyone who may have been through RHS, I appreciate the use of both sides of my face more than I ever could have before... I really really don't want to go through this again, ESPECIALLY not while pregnant(I don't know what the drugs would do to my baby!). If you have any info, I'd be most appreciative, and if you are willing to send up a prayer for me, that would mean so much!! There is a website w/ a foram for RHS people, but so far, I'm not finding it helpful for my situation. I thank God every day for healing me of the RHS, and I ask Him to NOT let it come back, but I know sometimes He has reasons for telling us NO. ....

Scared. TIA for any info you have.

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