I had an episode with Bell's palsy a number of years ago, but I do not believe it has any connection with stroke. I just mention it to illustrate what weird afflictions i have suffered in the past.
Bell's palsy is a partial paralysis of one side of the face, characterized by loss of motor control of one side of the mouth, and one eye lid. Swelling and inflammation of the seventh cranial nerve, where it passes through a small aperture in the face of the skull, is thought to cause this paralysis. The restriction due to swelling where the nerve passes through the small opening results in impaired circulation, which causes paralysis of the nerves which connect these facial muscles. The overall effect is a face that is droopy and flaccid on one side. The most serious and painful consequence for me was loss of control over my left eye. I could not move the eye lid, except by manually opening or closing it with my fingers. Lack of ability to blink also left the eyeball dry and irritated much of the time. I resorted to wearing a sinister-looking eye patch.
Fortunately, Bell's palsy proved to be a short-lived temporary condition. After a frenzied trip to the emergency room with complaints about the paralysis, the doctor laughed at my rueful expression and diagnosed "droopy face". He gave a prescription for anti-inflammatory steroids, and sent me home. The paralysis cleared up and symptoms gradually disappeared over a few weeks.
I only wish the current affliction was so ephemeral.
