Paralyzed and Misdiagnosed: The Shocking True Story of a Woman’s Descent into a Rare and Debilitating Disease
Ramsey Hunt Syndrome: A Rare but Debilitating Condition
Initially Misdiagnosed as Bell’s Palsy, Paralysis of the Right Side of the Face, Difficulty Eating or Speaking
The story of a woman in her 50s who was diagnosed with Ramsey Hunt syndrome after suffering from severe headaches has been revealed. After contracting the unfamiliar disease, she was said to have ”become paralyzed in the face and cannot close her eyes even when sleeping.”
According to the British media outlet Mirror, Vicky Chadwick (53) started suffering from headaches in November of last year. The headaches continued, but Vicky ignored the symptoms. After feeling dizzy and falling while riding a bicycle, Vicky went to the hospital. The CT scan results showed no particular problems.
A few days later, her face became paralyzed and she could not speak. She went to the hospital again and was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy. However, the prescribed medication did not work, and her dizziness and facial paralysis symptoms worsened.
Eventually, Vicky returned to the hospital last August and was correctly diagnosed with Ramsey Hunt syndrome and encephalitis, not Bell’s palsy. The virus that causes Ramsey Hunt syndrome had spread to the brain, leading to encephalitis.
“I have been depressed and anxious since I got sick,” Vicky said. To make matters worse, she lost her job after being laid off. She has since interviewed for jobs, but she says she is unable to communicate normally, so she has no chance of getting hired.
Currently, Vicky is paralyzed on the right side of her face and has difficulty eating and speaking. She has been diagnosed that her facial paralysis could last for several months. “I have difficulty eating and drinking, and my confidence has completely disappeared,” she said. “I can’t close my eyes properly, so I have to wear an eye patch when I sleep.”
What is Ramsey Hunt Syndrome?
Ramsey Hunt syndrome is a disease in which the varicella-zoster virus invades the facial nerve near the ear. The symptoms mainly include paralysis of half of the face and blisters and rashes on the skin. More than 50% of patients also feel neuralgia, and headaches, nausea, vomiting, and loss of taste may occur. Patients also experience ear problems such as hearing sounds louder in one ear than the other, tinnitus, and hearing loss.
The cause is a nervous system disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Children infected with the varicella-zoster virus get chickenpox, while adults get shingles. The virus that remains in the body in a latent state can stimulate the nerves of the face and cause inflammation at any time. It is known that the virus easily penetrates when the immune system is weakened due to overwork or stress. In particular, the nerves passing through the face are very narrow, so if inflammation occurs, the nerves can easily swell and lose function.
Treatment and Prognosis
Ramsey Hunt syndrome is diagnosed comprehensively through tests such as shingles virus tests or MRI tests. It is not easy to diagnose because symptoms vary from patient to patient, but if facial paralysis or skin rash occurs, it is necessary to suspect Ramsey Hunt syndrome. The earlier the diagnosis, the higher the treatment effect. According to a research team at Ehime University School of Medicine in Japan, among 80 patients, if treatment was started within 3 days of onset, the probability of complete recovery from facial paralysis was 75%. The prognosis was better than patients who started 4 days later (38%) or 8 days later (30%).
Treatment involves antiviral drugs or steroids. Facial acupuncture and heat therapy are also used. To avoid Ramsey Hunt syndrome, it is essential to manage stress, get enough rest, and supplement nutrients to maintain immunity.
Bell’s Palsy vs. Ramsey Hunt Syndrome
The Bell’s palsy that the woman in the story was misdiagnosed with is an idiopathic facial paralysis with no identifiable cause. It occurs suddenly over several hours or days and is recognized by symptoms such as facial paresthesia and facial distortion.