When seeking for resolution of your condition, you will need to first consult with your doctor. After observing you, your doctor may refer you to a specialist most likely a neurologist.

Preparing for your appointment is a good idea since it helps you get to know more about your condition and help you prepare better to address it.

For your part you can do certain things to help you prepare well for your appointment. These things may entail doing the following:

Writing down all questions you want to ask your doctor
Bringing along a companion preferably a friend or family member with you in the appointment – Bringing someone close to you can help you recall some of the information the doctor have said which you may not remember or have overlooked. Your companion can also help you recall all of the relevant information you may have forgotten to mention your doctor.
Write down in a list all the medicines you are presently taking. These can include steroids herbs, vitamins, supplements and the over-the-counter and prescription meds you are currently taking.  You can also bring them all with you to your appointment to show them to your doctor.
List down information about yourself that may be relevant to your doctor for treating your condition – These may include the major stress factors in your life and life changes that may be causing or aggravating your condition. These pieces of information can be helpful for your doctor to come up with a right diagnosis.
Make a note of the symptoms you’re experiencing – Also include symptoms that don’t seem to be connected to your chief complaint.

Making a list of your questions can help make your appointment more efficient and more productive.  Listed below are some of the questions you can ask your doctor if you are suffering from symptoms of Bell’s palsy.

What may be causing my symptoms?
Can there be other reasons for my symptoms?
Do I need to undergo tests? If so, what tests are needed?
Are my symptoms and condition transitory or long-term?
What are the treatments for my condition? What do you think is best for me?
Are there other equally effective treatments?
Do you have a treatment plan to deal with my present condition along with my other health conditions?
Can you provide reading materials regarding my condition I can take home? Can you recommend websites that can provide more information about my condition?

If you have questions other than the ones listed above make sure you ask them to your doctor during your appointment.

Your doctor may also have questions to ask you about your condition. Some of the questions may go like these:

When did you first notice your symptoms?
Do you experience your symptoms continuously or occasionally?
How do you rate your symptoms? Are they severe or mild?
Are there things that better or worsen your symptoms? What are they?
Do you have family members or relative who’ve had some type of facial paralysis or Bell’s palsy?

While waiting for your appointment you can do the following things.  If you are experiencing pain in your face you can:

Take painkillers like over-the-counter meds including paracetamol (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) or aspirin to help relieve your pain.
Apply your face with washcloth dipped in warm water many times a day.

For those who can’t completely shut their eyes you can:

Close your eyes using your fingers.
Apply eyedrops to moisten and protect your eye.
Wear eyeglasses during the day to protect your eye.
Use an eye patch at night and when you sleep.