Hey FItgirl,

A tumor(very rare for a healthy person) on the
nerve next to the ear wouldn't give you those
syptoms. Swelling and itching on the outside
ear canal is most likely the virus re-activating
again. It usually starts with some sensitivity,
some swelling, an itch and then the blisters
will appear. That virus can outbreak more than once
You probably need to get back on another cycle
of anti-virals.

Fitgirl,

This is why you need to consult your GP again to determine whether or not you are dealing with BP or RHS. If it is RHS then you may very well need another course of anti-virals. I hope the swelling goes away soon

Fitgirl,

You may have an ear infection going on which could also be bacterial. If you can see an ENT they will be able to take a good look inside your ear canal and check for any viral break outs or if your ear looks like it may have bacterial infection. Otitis media can cause facial paralysis.

I am not saying that you have an ear infection due to bacterial- just thought I'd mention it. It could very well be BP.

Did they do a Lyme testing on you?

Are you having any pain in the jaw area? I've had two bouts of otitis media and they can be painful near the ear, behind ear and the jaw area. My BP was *not* caused by my otitis media-my otitis media happened many years later after I got my BP.

Many of us do end up getting an MRI at some point. If you have insurance coverage and it is something you can do conveniently, go for it.

Have you been swimming in public pools? any other way your ear may have got infected?

If it is RHS, like sina and new mommy say- you may end up with having to take more antivirals.

Hope you are getting enough quality sleep and rest to help with the healing.

Hi Fitgirl,
Good luck at your doc's! I hope he has some helpful info for you.
God bless, and let us know..

Maybe your brain had to expand with all of the studying and learning that you've been doing.

Carie,
My chiropractor is MORE concerned about me and my condition then my doctor is... nice!

GRS... well, my skull better start growing soon then! LOL

Sage,
I didn't have ANY of the symptoms of Lyme upon onset (that page describes flu-like symptoms linked to Lyme. I have always felt GREAT, even once BP was in full force! I only had 2, maybe 3 nights of painful sleeps and that was DUE to the inflammation itself!)

I continue to get these large (some are small), rather nasty and painful "pimples" or bumps along my spine now... they are really weird! I kinda think this is a sign that my body is STILL being attacked by a virus.

Oh boy... ANOTHER trip to the doctor for me! I really DO NOT want to take another course of those antiviral meds... I am just now (6 weeks after starting them!) finally feeling "normal" again!!!

Perhaps I DO need an antibiotic??? Are antivirals antibiotics?

oh my, fitgirl, it sure seems you are having an unusual go of it. like maybe you got afflicted with a virus that is extra potent!

sage mentioned Ramsey Hunt, which as you probly know is basically Bell's Palsy except that the virus is identifiable as herpes zoster (the chicken pox strain) instead of herpes simplex 1, and often blisters are associated with it. the herpes virus resides dormant within the nerve system, and when it is activated, travels along the nerve to the skin, where it forms a blister. I think I remember reading somewhere that the antiviral is only effective if you take it as soon as the blisters appear. but that's what you did, right? maybe you will have to try it again. sorry if you have to take another round. it took me a very long time to recover from it, too. awful.

whatever is going on, I sincerely hope you find a physician who will listen to you and take care of you! maybe check out herpes zoster on wikipedia, if you haven't already.

take care,
God bless you.
Carie