Accident Mum Lexus Scheller surprised her social media followers on Wednesday by posting a startling video showing her being diagnosed with Bell’s palsy and leaving half of her face paralyzed.
Lexus posted a series of videos on Tik Tok and Instagram that were filmed at a hospital in San Antonio, Texas. She had just completed a roughly 20-hour road trip from Indiana with fiancé Isaiah Norwood.
“So, we got to San Antonio,” Lexus began her first clip”But on the way down, I started to notice some changes in my face. If you can’t tell,” she pointed to her face, “this side of my face is paralyzed.”
Lexus revealed she was in the emergency room, where she was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy. She also said it was difficult for her to get insurance to cover the costs because she was out of state. “It’s going to be really expensive,” Lexus said.
The former reality star spoke of her inability to move her eyebrows, smile or close her eyes until she sought her thoughts and prayers.
In the caption of the Tik Tok clip, Lexus included her Cash App ID:
My cashapp is $Lexus0502 if anyone is willing to help me. I don’t want this to happen to anyone. I also don’t know how long it will take for my face to get back into motion. 😭😭😭 I just want to enjoy my vacation.
Shortly after her first clip, Lexus uploaded another very brief video in which she showed half her face lacking movement.
@lexus.scheller literal kilometers #fyp #bellspalsy #facial paralysis
♬ Language – Newsboy Baby
Lexus took to Instagram for another video with more information. “My entire right face was paralyzed,” she said. “It was really hard to talk. My eyes kept watering because I couldn’t close it all the way. I could barely eat. My tongue was paralyzed – it was on the right side.”
Lexus said the first symptoms were jaw and ear pain about three days ago. She thought it might be an ear infection, which wasn’t a good sign considering she was about to go on a long road trip.
The initial symptoms disappeared, and Lexus is optimistic that whatever happens, it has run its course. Then she started experiencing tongue paralysis. As recently as Tuesday, while the couple was still driving, they started experiencing facial paralysis.
So, she went to the hospital and was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy. Lexus explained they didn’t know what the cause was, adding that Bell’s palsy could have “occurred naturally.”This is supported by An overview of Bell’s palsy on mayoclinic.org:
Bell’s palsy is a condition that causes sudden weakness of the muscles on one side of the face. In most cases, weakness is temporary and will improve significantly within a few weeks. Weakness makes one side of the face look droopy. The smile is one-way, and the eye on the affected side refuses to close.
Bell’s palsy is also known as acute peripheral facial paralysis of unknown cause. It can happen at any age. The exact cause is unknown. Experts believe it is caused by swelling and inflammation of the nerves that control the muscles on one side of the face. It may be caused by a reaction that occurs after a viral infection.
Symptoms usually begin to improve within a few weeks, with full recovery in about six months. A small number of people continue to experience symptoms of Bell’s palsy throughout their lives. Bell’s palsy rarely occurs more than once.
Here’s her full Instagram post:
Lexus responded to a flood of comments on Tik Tok and Instagram, including many asking if Lexus has been vaccinated. Most of them were a little surprised when Lexus admitted she wasn’t vaccinated.
Here are some excerpts from Lexus’ interactions with people in the comments:
Comment: I hope they give you something to protect your eyes. I also had it and had eye drops and had to close my eyes and wear patches.
Lexus: We now tape it up because I can’t blink it’s so dry and watery
Comment: I have this. Are you stressed?
Lexus: Yeah, we just drove from Indiana to Texas, so it’s stressful
Comment: Just curious…my grandma got it years ago…she is a big smoker…do you smoke? I heard that’s a big reason too.
Lexus: i pumped hard
Comment: Did your doctor say this could be the cause?
Lexus: They really didn’t tell me much, I’m 5 states away from home so I went to the doctor to find out more as soon as I got back.
Comment: Have you been vaccinated?
Lexus: No, I am not vaccinated.
Comment: Really wow I’m so happy! Then you need some much needed rest! Let a friend babysit for you and give baby girl a break.
Comment: Is it permanent or will it go away? sorry.
Lexus: In my discharge papers it said anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months. 🥺
Comment: My situation happens when I’m stressed out. Just try to relax, it always helps me. I hope you feel better soon. It’s really bad when I call them episodes. I’ve put them on and off since I was 16. Praying for you ☺️
Lexus: Thanks. I definitely think it’s because of the stress. I definitely need to calm down.
Comment: may be stress related
Lexus: Yes, I think the trip is stressful for me.
Several commenters suggested that Lexus be tested for Lyme disease.exist CDC website, which states that neurological Lyme disease can lead to cranial nerve involvement. “When cranial nerves are affected, facial paralysis (drooping) may occur on one or both sides of the face.”
“I’ll definitely get tested when I get home,” Lexus said in response to suggestions that the facial paralysis could be due to Lyme disease.
The whole ordeal sounds scary, especially when you’re more than a thousand miles away from home! Our thoughts are with Lexus and we wish her a speedy recovery!
Asa Hawks is a writer and editor for Starcasm. You can contact Asa in the following ways Twitter, Facebookor email starcasmtips(at)yahoo.com
