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Stress Caused This Woman's Face To Become Semi-Paralysed

Stress Caused This Woman's Face To Become Semi-Paralysed

Danielle Ferguson was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy after waking up one morning with a numb tongue and pain in her jaw

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

A nutritionist who woke up one morning with a half-paralysed face was told by doctors that the condition was down to stress and there was nothing she could do.

Danielle Ferguson, 29, from California, USA, began experiencing cold-like symptoms; she was very tired and lethargic but had no fever, body chills or cough. Her tongue started to feel numb and her jaw was in a lot of pain - like someone had punched her.

The next morning, in August 2019, she woke up to find the entire right side of her face paralysed, which a nurse had warned her about the day before. Her parents drove her to the emergency room where a doctor diagnosed her with Bell's palsy and prescribed her with an oral steroid and antivirals.

The doctor attributed her condition to stress and said that there was nothing she could do - not that Danielle believed this. She tried different alternative treatments like IV therapy, acupuncture, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and craniosacral massage.

Danielle Ferguson tried to do a number of things to help.
Media Drum World

Having half of her face paralysed caused her to shy away from strangers, but finding a connection with other Instagram users who had been through a similar thing made her more confident about embracing her journey.

With over 12,000 followers on Instagram, she is now able to share her own personal journey to raise awareness of Bell's palsy.

Danielle explained: "The week prior to my diagnosis I had felt like I was coming down with a cold. Then that Saturday I started to feel the symptoms coming on, but I didn't know what it was at the time.

"My tongue felt numb and my jaw hurt really badly; almost like someone had punched me or I was grinding my teeth all night long. Plus my smile was a bit off but nothing super noticeable."

Danielle with her husband.
Media Drum World

Danielle was told that the condition could have been caused by stress and that she would eventually regain the strength in her muscles.

She continued: "There was a lot going on, but I thought that was normal. I didn't feel like I was overly stressed. However, looking back what I didn't realise was everything I was doing or trying to do was based on my thinking I had to work hard in order to be worthy.

"That head space I was in had to be corrected and I think me getting Bell's palsy was my body's way of telling me that. I am still recovering, however - in the beginning, I really tried everything I could and while the doctors told me there was really nothing I could do, I frankly didn't believe that.

"I create space every morning for myself to do my daily devotional and pray which I believe is what has kept me strong throughout this process."

Danielle won't let it get her down.
Media Drum World

Danielle went on: "I am feeling better and starting to see movement come back into my face. However, I thought about this the other day and even if my movement never came back, it wouldn't stop me from doing what I want to do with my life.

"I want to help others be health advocates for themselves and take back control of their own health and if that is inspiration then, yes, I want to inspire others to do this.

"I do this by simply being myself, showing up on IG and in life to pour my heart and soul into what I believe. I am Dani, my heart is my own and there's nothing that can change that.

"I realise that self-love is how I nurture and take care of my heart and my soul. It's not about how good I look or what my face looks like, it's the confidence and love I have for myself inside that counts.

"Listen to your body. It will tell you what you need to heal, whether that is physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental. Trust yourself and be honest with yourself.

"Also, give yourself grace and allow your body to rest when it needs to. Your worthiness is not based on how hard you work, how much you check off your to-do list or how perfect your house looks. You are already so worthy and so loved, just as you are."

Featured Image Credit: Media Drum World

Topics: Community, Weird, Health, US