Brief Answer:
Not over-reacting in the least

Detailed Answer:
Good afternoon and thank you for your question regarding these new onset symptoms of left sided paresthesias in the mouth and left eye as well as soreness in the left jaw and left rib.

If we were to take your symptoms of left mouth and feeling of left eye "weirdness" along with the sore left jaw in isolation from the rest of the information I would be vigilant for what could be a 7th Cranial Nerve disorder such as a Bell's palsy. It would not be uncommon at all for something like that to happen following an infection such as a pneumonia and especially if placed on several antibiotics. The upshot of something like a pneumonia which is aggressively treated is that your immune is possibly weakened and especially since antibiotics have probably working in you to clear the infection therefore, the appearance of something such as a Bell's Palsy which some people could be caused by a viral infection of the Herpes variety.

More recent thoughts and studies are disputing the viral etiology of classic
Bell's paralysis but the symptoms of a hemi-paresthetic (tingling) left sided mouth along with a "weird" feeling in the eye which may be coming on due to some dryness either due to reduced secretions as well as the possibility that the left upper lid may not be closing all the way when you shut your eyes....or at least "on the way" to not being to close in the next 24-48hrs. make me think of this as a possible diagnosis. The soreness of the jaw is also a valid part of the syndrome since many Bell's patients complain of what's called JAW CLAUDICATION as well which is when your mouth gets excessively tired or sore whenever chewing for any period of time.

I don't know quite how to explain the left rib area soreness only to say that if that is more related to the left side pneumonia as a referred pain because of the infection that it often times takes Pneumonias about 4-8 weeks to completely clear out to the point of your feeling SYMPTOM FREE.

Therefore, that left sided rib soreness to me has nothing to do with the other symptoms.

My suggestion is that you see a neurologist in the next 24 hrs. if possible. If the story and the examination are right then, you may be able to lessen the blow of a full blown Bell's by getting on either some steroids such as a Medrol dose pack or Acyclovir or even both. You should get some artificial tears and maybe even some lubricating eye ointment such as LACRILUBE from the pharmacy (will need a prescription likely) and if the left eyelid is definitely WEAK in its closure you will need to protect the eye from drying out. I always suggest to my patients that they get a SOFT EYE PATCH to wear at night when asleep and to put a small amount of lacrilube along the lower border of the eyelid and also use the Ocean Mist Spray every 4-6 hrs. or however, frequently the doctor recommends.

I would use the SOFT eye patch (NOT hard) at night when asleep if the eyelid remains even a little open because if not you may scratch the cornea with either hour finger or something on the bed/sheets themselves.

Please let me know how things turn out.

Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.XXXX.ly/YYYY for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.

This query has utilized a total of 20 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.

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Brief Answer:
Good nutrition is always a MUST to recovering from any illness

Detailed Answer:
It would be fine to exercise by walking. The downside to NOT seeing a neurologist with your symptoms would be to possibly miss a diagnosis. Bell's Palsy is not something that is as easily picked up by NON-neurology doctors based upon NON-MOTOR findings as by neurologists.

In terms of outcome...there is probably not much difference in terms of who you see, if anybody simply because if things do progress to a more "obvious" stage of development it will still have to run its course which could be days or even weeks or longer. At that point I believe it could make a difference who you see to get the best supportive treatments such as making sure your involved eye is well lubricated, hydrated, and protected from possible corneal scratches or abrasions. It may make some bit of difference in terms of any TREATMENT using anti-virals vs. not although there is newer data suggesting that the practice of treating Bell's with Acyclovir and similar drugs may not make as much of a difference to the overall course or severity of the event...even if caught in the initial stages.

Therefore, in summary I would say that by going to a neurologist your chance of getting the best early diagnosis and recognition of your symptoms as related to something not directly tied to the pneumonia you had is greater than by going to a non-neurologist.

You are correct in terms of nutrition and sleep which are critically important to your ongoing recovery not only from the pneumonia but from the present symptoms.

Please let me know how things turn out.

Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.XXXX.ly/YYYY for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.

This query has utilized a total of 33 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.

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