strange symptoms in the jaw and eyes

[drew50]

My best friend has been on Viread, epivir and viramune for seven years now, without any problems (undetectable viral load - high number T4 cells)
In the last month or so he's had a disturbing loss of feeling on one side of his chin and jaw (he describes it as a dentists anaesthetic feeling) and in the last week, he's having trouble with his eyes - focussing and feeling that he's always a split second behind the fact. Could this be a sort of peripheral neuropathy? Has anyone else experienced the same or has heard of this sort of thing?
The doctors here are puzzled and he's had an MRI which showed nothing - the neurologist wants to do a spinal fluid test which he's not looking forward to.

[ARMANDO]

sounds like BELLS ,BUT YOU WILL KNOW IN A FEW DAYS ,HE WILL LOOSE FEELING ON THAT SIDE OF HIS FACE,ALL NERVES WILL CLOSE DOWN

[drew50]

Sorry for my ignorance but what is or are BELLS?

[whizzer]

Bell's Palsy is an inflammation of one or two branches of the facial nerve, which innervates the skin of the face.  It usually occurs on only one side of the face, though it can occur on both sides.  It is thought to be caused by the Herpes Simplex virus.  The symptoms usually develop over the course of 48 hours, and the paralysis can last 3-6 months.

Treatment usually consists of antivirals, such as Valtrex or acyclovir, and steroids to control the inflammation.  The sooner treatment is started the better.  He should see a doctor right away, even if it's just a doc-in-a-box.

-Whizzer