Guest guest Posted May 3, 2004 Report Share Posted May 3, 2004 Hi everyone 20 days post op (upper, lower, palatal split and upper wisdoms) I feel really lousy, particularly with a headache and eyes which just ache and seem so sensitive that I just can't settle to read, watch TV or anything. Still some pain in jaws, but particularly in temples and around ears. I had been hoping to wean off painkillers but they are still my friend! When I try to sleep I have continuous saliva production which makes me keep swallowing, which then hurts my palate. Then I need to cough up a blood clot - still not rid of them. Surgeon says its just everything in the sinus area draining out. Although my nose is generally clear, with thankfully no more nose bleeding, my sinuses still feel heavy and clogged. Chin steel numb and bottom lip too - feels really swollen but is not too bad. Am I expecting too much to want to be feeling more normal? Any words of encouragement appreciated!! Best wishes Sue (UK) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2004 Report Share Posted May 3, 2004 Hi Sue, I'm 12 days Post op and still have aching around my TMJ, especially when I'm in a car or in the shower when the pressure changes. Doc says that it should subdue within 2 more weeks. If not, he may have to give me medicine, in which I'm praying I won't need by then. My temples feel like someone is poking a stick at them! I would say to give it another week and then talk to your doctor. Best of Luck to ya! T > Hi everyone > > 20 days post op (upper, lower, palatal split and upper wisdoms) I > feel really lousy, particularly with a headache and eyes which just > ache and seem so sensitive that I just can't settle to read, watch > TV or anything. Still some pain in jaws, but particularly in > temples and around ears. I had been hoping to wean off painkillers > but they are still my friend! > > When I try to sleep I have continuous saliva production which makes > me keep swallowing, which then hurts my palate. Then I need to > cough up a blood clot - still not rid of them. Surgeon says its > just everything in the sinus area draining out. Although my nose is > generally clear, with thankfully no more nose bleeding, my sinuses > still feel heavy and clogged. > > Chin steel numb and bottom lip too - feels really swollen but is not > too bad. > > Am I expecting too much to want to be feeling more normal? > > Any words of encouragement appreciated!! > > Best wishes > Sue (UK) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2004 Report Share Posted May 3, 2004 Sue, of course you aren't expecting too much. Nobody wants to feel lousy, and everybody wants to feel well and ready to go again, especially after going through something like this. It can take some time, though. Have you talked with your surgeon about your eyes and those headaches? I imagine you have. I'd be inclined to call my ophthalmologist and at least let them know what's going on. Sometimes a specialist can offer you relief that a specialist in another field knows nothing about. (I'm assuming that your health care system lets you do that. Ours does.) I'm surprised that you still have a blood clot, but mercifully I was spared all that, having lower jaw work only. And the numbness may persist for quite some time. For most people, though, it does get better. Thinking of you, and hoping that by now you are feeling better. Or at least more cheery... You do know that the anesthetics and steroids can make you feel low, don't you? It's a purely biochemical thing, and should pass soon, if that's part of what's ailing you. cammie > Hi everyone > > 20 days post op (upper, lower, palatal split and upper wisdoms) I > feel really lousy, particularly with a headache and eyes which just > ache and seem so sensitive that I just can't settle to read, watch > TV or anything. Still some pain in jaws, but particularly in > temples and around ears. I had been hoping to wean off painkillers > but they are still my friend! > > When I try to sleep I have continuous saliva production which makes > me keep swallowing, which then hurts my palate. Then I need to > cough up a blood clot - still not rid of them. Surgeon says its > just everything in the sinus area draining out. Although my nose is > generally clear, with thankfully no more nose bleeding, my sinuses > still feel heavy and clogged. > > Chin steel numb and bottom lip too - feels really swollen but is not > too bad. > > Am I expecting too much to want to be feeling more normal? > > Any words of encouragement appreciated!! > > Best wishes > Sue (UK) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2004 Report Share Posted May 4, 2004 Thanks for your kind words Cammie Certainly feel a bit brighter today, probably because I don't have the nagging headache and my eyes feel a little easier. Just had a chat with my ortho on the phone. He reckons I'm coming down with the post surgery blues - could be right. Best wishes Sue (UK) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2004 Report Share Posted May 4, 2004 If it should continue, and I don't think it will, there are also pharmaceuticals that can help, and don't hesitate to ask your doc. I wouldn't undertake that course unless you are either already on one, or the blues last more than a couple of weeks. Probably they'll be gone much sooner, and it can often take trials of quite a few of these drugs to find the right one. Take care, and rejoice in how much you have accomplished! It's also the time to treat yourself -- a guilty pleasure, like a trashy book you've been secretly yearning to read, the same sort of movie, a manicure or a pedicure, or both... a new perfume... anything that will give you a treat. Or take on a project, like writing letters you owe (yes, I still believe in writing letters, OLD-fashioned one that I am, Miz ) or reorganizing your address book, maybe. Cammie > Thanks for your kind words Cammie > > Certainly feel a bit brighter today, probably because I don't have > the nagging headache and my eyes feel a little easier. > > Just had a chat with my ortho on the phone. He reckons I'm coming > down with the post surgery blues - could be right. > > Best wishes > Sue (UK) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2004 Report Share Posted May 4, 2004 Hi Sue, Are you sleeping flat now? Just wondering if a change to an inclined or more upright position for a short period might help at night. I also slept with a humidifier on for months post-op. Also you might try a very gentle massage of the aching areas. I found the MLD therapy to be very calming, very gentle. It might help with some of the drainage, I'm not sure how it works in the sinus area. Have you tried steamy baths or a shower? Numb chin and lower lip, sounds familiar. All I could do was try to move my lips to exercise them - I made all kinds of silly faces in the mirror. If nothing else, that made me laugh : ) Hang in there, you'll get through it. You're over the worst of it now. > Hi everyone > > 20 days post op (upper, lower, palatal split and upper wisdoms) I > feel really lousy, particularly with a headache and eyes which just > ache and seem so sensitive that I just can't settle to read, watch > TV or anything. Still some pain in jaws, but particularly in > temples and around ears. I had been hoping to wean off painkillers > but they are still my friend! > > When I try to sleep I have continuous saliva production which makes > me keep swallowing, which then hurts my palate. Then I need to > cough up a blood clot - still not rid of them. Surgeon says its > just everything in the sinus area draining out. Although my nose is > generally clear, with thankfully no more nose bleeding, my sinuses > still feel heavy and clogged. > > Chin steel numb and bottom lip too - feels really swollen but is not > too bad. > > Am I expecting too much to want to be feeling more normal? > > Any words of encouragement appreciated!! > > Best wishes > Sue (UK) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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