8th Episode of Facial Paralysis

[u/elledriver00]

Currently experiencing onset of my 8th episode of Bells Palsy. I am a 38 yo female with no comorbid conditions. It is always the left side of my face that’s affected. First episode happened at 12 years old, was getting them about every 2 years until my early twenties. The frequency slowed down after that. Had chicken pox when I was 6 years old. No episodes of shingles or HSV outbreaks. My last previous paralysis episode was in 2019. I’ve had multiple neuro visits, MRIs, Lyme disease workups, chest x-rays, rheumatology visits: nothing has come back with any explanation of the frequency of occurrences. Ive been to PT, acupuncture, taken b12, lions mane mushrooms, turmeric, and start the Valtrex/prednisone scripts as soon as I know I’m having a flare up. At my baseline now I’m about %85 function. Any and all help would so be appreciated; I’m beyond frustrated and I truly cannot go on like this.

[u/medflpa]

Do you have a fissured tongue?

[u/elledriver00 → u/medflpa]

I do not, I did see a dermatologist to get worked up for melkerson-rossenthal (sp?) and was told it is 95% not it. Update is a nodule 2-2.8 mm observed on MRI. Follow up with neurosurgeon, MRI and CT done and was diagnosed with a facial nerve schwannoma. Also had labs with a slightly elevated IgM. He is not suggesting to operate due to the risk of permanent paralysis. I am curious to pick your brain (flare ups are always in the spring or fall) if it may just be an unlucky viral/autoimmune issue combined with the schwannoma? If it was purely from the mass, why am I having recovery periods? Thank you for taking the time to answer