If you have a cold or similar malady/malaise, and suddenly parts of your face stop working normally:

1. •Eye doesn’t close correctly
   

2. •Lopsided smile
   

3. •Can’t drink without dribbling
   

Get to an emergency room or competent family physician immediately.

Do not wait for anything – dawn, permission from your insurance, or for your spouse to get home.

GO NOW1.

What you have may well 2 be Bell’s Palsy, a facial paralysis syndrome, generally associated with a viral infection.

1. •The symptoms will generally get worse than when you first notice it.
   

2. •Bell’s can result in permanent facial paralysis if not treated promptly.
   

3. •The path to an acceptable outcome starts with immediate treatment. Any delay worsens the likely outcome.
   

4. •The standard treatment is a combination of Prednisone and either Valacyclovir or Acyclovir. Don’t leave medical care without at least a prescription for both unless you have a strong medical reason – much more than some vague brush-off.  Keep trying sources of medical care until you succeed in getting proper treatment. Point a dithering doctor here.
   

5. •FILL AND BEGIN THE PRESCRIPTION IMMEDIATELY. Do not wait for your favorite discount pharmacy to open. Do not wait for your HMO to agree that these medications qualify for their special reimbursement plan. Prednisone is cheap, and generic Acyclovir is affordable. Both are on WalMart’s $4 list.  Get them NOW.
   

Did I mention that you shouldn’t wait?

What are you waiting for?

1. 1.If you have the symptoms, of course. See “Don’t Be An Idiot”, below.
   

2. 2.Or not, of course. But it is the most likely (1 chance in 65 in your lifetime), and treating for it is benign and doesn’t preclude diagnostic tests for lower odds possibilities.