Re: Dwelling...losing sleep, its still a year away and am tired of it

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

In my case, I knew nothing when I started out, my ortho is a kindly,

gentle older man (almost retired now), and he gave me a good sense

of comfort about all of this. When I met my surgeon, I got the same

sense from him. So they both made me very comfortable about all of

this.

THEN I found these groups and found out just what I might be going

through. Yes, it can be worrisome and frightening. But it's

manageable.

Go see your ortho again with a list of questions, if that helps (and

ask him what might help for the pain - I had none, maybe the ortho

is working too fast). Or work on a list of questions for your

surgeon (there's lots of info on the geocities site at

http://www.geocities.com/orthognathicinfo/ )

If there's something particularly bothering you, ask it here.

There's lots of people with answers from their own personal

experience that may be able to help with your fears.

On the other hand, it may be more appropriate for you to take a

break from the group and get out and enjoy your summer at home. Come

back as you get closer to your surgery. Lots of people have done

that. It is possible to become addicted to these groups.

As for giving things up, that's an unfortunate side-effect of this

process. Hopefully you'll thank yourself when it's all done, for all

of your patience and hard effort.

It doesn't sound like you're having panic attacks to me. If so, I

would suggest seeing your general physician. I actually had a

conversation with mine about 8 weeks before my surgery (when I

REALLY got nervous), and she said " you are not debilitated (sp?) by

your anxiety, it's pretty normal and I don't think you want to take

anything for it, you don't need anything " and " you can back out of

this if you want " (remember, it's not a life-threatening condition

for most of us). Her most famous line? " Don't worry until you have

something to worry about " this after she told me she'd been flagged

for a recall after her mammogram, she said what was the point of

worrying about what the results might be? Just get on with life and

deal with it when the time comes. There's nothing you can do about

it.

Hang in there, you're in a tough spot with a lot of time ahead of

you, and I do know how that feels.

Best wishes,

>

> Ok, I know I cant be the only one who loses sleep over this, but

the whole surgery thing is ruining / running my life.... I had to

turn down a chance to work adn study abroad for six months today

because I cant return from Scotland to Nova Scotia to see my ortho

for tightenings....

>

>

>

> How has everyone else dealt with this? I dont sleep anymore

because all I do is sit awake and worry and dwell on this whoel

thing.... and if its not hte dwelling its the pain from braces!!!

Does the initial appointment iwhtthe surgeon make you feel any

better or does it just spark more worries and concerns and downright

fears (as I have)?

>

> Do you think the surgeon could prescribe somting at the first

appointment for thesepanick attacks or should I start looking for a

good psych.?

>

> Awake at 5 am, for the third night in a row this week,

>

> Kev

[Guest guest]

,

I was like that for quite a while, I'm one week away from surgery

now and I finally feel some peace. Like now that I know it is around

the corner and it will be over soon every thing is better. My anxiety

started around December, I've tried to ignore it and live with it,

that is about all you can do. Keep as busy as you possibly can. I

don't think there has been a single minute that the surgery was not

somewhere in my thoughts in the last 6-7 months.

For some the waiting game leading up to the surgery is harder to deal

with than the actual surgery and recovery. Being informed also helped

me.

So my only advice is to keep busy and keep researching. The more you

I know about what will be happening to me in the next few weeks the

easier it got to sleep.

Marsha

>

> Ok, I know I cant be the only one who loses sleep over this, but

the whole surgery thing is ruining / running my life.... I had to

turn down a chance to work adn study abroad for six months today

because I cant return from Scotland to Nova Scotia to see my ortho

for tightenings....

>

>

>

> How has everyone else dealt with this? I dont sleep anymore

because all I do is sit awake and worry and dwell on this whoel

thing.... and if its not hte dwelling its the pain from braces!!!

Does the initial appointment iwhtthe surgeon make you feel any better

or does it just spark more worries and concerns and downright fears

(as I have)?

>

> Do you think the surgeon could prescribe somting at the first

appointment for thesepanick attacks or should I start looking for a

good psych.?

>

> Awake at 5 am, for the third night in a row this week,

>

> Kev

>

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Well, you pretty much know all of my drama from my posting yesterday,

and as muh as I would like to write it off as a bump in the road and

say " screw it " I can't. I actually have quite the opposite problem

that you do, instead of losing sleep, I sleep all day. It doesn't

take a degree (although I have one, haha) to realize that I am

depressed. I've plotted and planned (my usual coping methods) until

I could do it no more, and so, feeling very defeated, I sleep. Then

I sleep some more. If it weren't for my " lovely " roommate bringing

over her family yesterday, I probably would not have gotten up

between the time I got home from work yesterday and the time it was

before I had to come back today.

I think and hope that you will feel better after meeting with your

surgeon. I know that I did. But I would also suggest maybe trying

to find someone with a better availability. Sure, credentials are a

great thing, but if you never get to see the guy, his knowledge will

not help you. Meds and a shrink are probably not necessary now, as

this is probably only a temporary thing. I would suggest talking to

your family and even your close friends about this. But be warned,

they won't " get it " enough to understand your frustration. In fact,

you meay hear a " well, then don't do it " . But, I do think that you

will feel better after discusing these concerns with " real " people as

opposed to tying to some unseen ones on the 'net.

In the meantime, feeling nervous and anxious is completely normal.

But, as with everything in life, there is a point where a thing

becomes unhealthy. So, if I promise to not go home and sleep the day

away, will you promise to do the opposite? Find something to do to

keep your mind off of it. Stop reading this board (well finish this

message first)!!! Keep yourself so busy with other things that you

don't notice the time passing and then, eventually, you'll just fall

asleep. If you crash while you're friends are over, I'm sure they'll

understand

>

> Ok, I know I cant be the only one who loses sleep over this, but

the whole surgery thing is ruining / running my life.... I had to

turn down a chance to work adn study abroad for six months today

because I cant return from Scotland to Nova Scotia to see my ortho

for tightenings....

>

>

>

> How has everyone else dealt with this? I dont sleep anymore

because all I do is sit awake and worry and dwell on this whoel

thing.... and if its not hte dwelling its the pain from braces!!!

Does the initial appointment iwhtthe surgeon make you feel any better

or does it just spark more worries and concerns and downright fears

(as I have)?

>

> Do you think the surgeon could prescribe somting at the first

appointment for thesepanick attacks or should I start looking for a

good psych.?

>

> Awake at 5 am, for the third night in a row this week,

>

> Kev

>

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Marsha,

Glad you found the calm zone. Good luck next week!

> ,

>

> I was like that for quite a while, I'm one week away from surgery

> now and I finally feel some peace. Like now that I know it is

around

> the corner and it will be over soon every thing is better.

[Guest guest]

Thank you, I'm just hoping it will last for the next week, it is

really quite nice.

Marsha

> > ,

> >

> > I was like that for quite a while, I'm one week away from

surgery

> > now and I finally feel some peace. Like now that I know it is

> around

> > the corner and it will be over soon every thing is better.

[Guest guest]

Kev,

You are right that it is not an easy decision to make, but you really

need to think in the long term. The end result will far outweigh what

you are about to go through.

From my exprience, i went through both jaws the first time cause i

had to, to correct serious bite issues and TMJ, wicked headches...i

then lived pain free for aprox 7 glorious years....slowly the

headaches came back as the bite shifted, i was too young when we

first did it...not done grwoing...the pain got worse...the bite was

looking bad again...off to the side...

so when i got new insurance and saw orthdontist for a 10year check-up

(no lie)...he said " lets have a conversation with OS??? "

They encouraged me to go ahead, lower only this time, and knowing

that i would be pain free again, this time for good and fix the bite,

since i am a perfectionist after all....i was like BRING IT ON

and even now...9 days later, as aggrivated as i am that i cant eat

and talk...i know it has been worth every second and id do it again

tomorrow!!!

Its about a quality of life, at least for me. And I am happy to have

had the second opprtunity that medical technology has provided...

hope this is not too ranty, i just feel strongly on this issue. Hope

this helps you out

Best of Luck, EastCoastGyrl

>

> Ok, I know I cant be the only one who loses sleep over this, but

the whole surgery thing is ruining / running my life.... I had to

turn down a chance to work adn study abroad for six months today

because I cant return from Scotland to Nova Scotia to see my ortho

for tightenings....

>

>

>

> How has everyone else dealt with this? I dont sleep anymore

because all I do is sit awake and worry and dwell on this whoel

thing.... and if its not hte dwelling its the pain from braces!!!

Does the initial appointment iwhtthe surgeon make you feel any better

or does it just spark more worries and concerns and downright fears

(as I have)?

>

> Do you think the surgeon could prescribe somting at the first

appointment for thesepanick attacks or should I start looking for a

good psych.?

>

> Awake at 5 am, for the third night in a row this week,

>

> Kev

>

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I am one year in with braces and will 'need' upper and lower for a

full treatment. I too am getting tired of organizing my life around

the upcoming surgery. In particular, work and activies (running,

horseback riding, etc.) that will have to be put on hold. And the

potential for introducing problems that I don't currently have

(numbness of the gums, lips, chin, etc.), some of which may be

permanent.

I went for a second opinion this week as I am worried about breaking

something that basically works (my jaws). Yes, my bite is not perfect

but I can eat anything I want and do not suffer from headaches, etc.

The only real pain is in keeping my mouth open for long periods of

time at the dentist!

This surgeon told me that to have a perfect bite that I would need

the surgery but that I also would need to be 100% committed or would

have a hard recovery. He also told me that I have the same bite as

his 78 year old father-in -law who is thriving and successful in life

despite a 'bad bite'.

All of this to say I do not think that I will proceed. I will have my

teeth straigtened, and will also consult a plastic surgeon to see

what improvements in my profile can be acheived with minor surgery

(such as a chin implant). Sure I will not have the elusive 'perfect

bite' but truth be told, I am more interested in the final product

(my appearance) than I am in having a world class bite, as my current

bite presents no problems for me.

All of this to say it is a personal decision to proceed with such a

major surgery, and my only advice is to honestly evaluate your

motivation and explore your options. Ultimately it is you that has to

go through the entire treatment and live with the results, whatever

they may be.

Cheers!

[Guest guest]

Hi , my surgery date is on Sept. 15th in Halifax, Dr. Precious

is the surgeon and I've heard only wonderful things about him as

well as the other surgeons at the QEII. I live in Saint and

provincial healthcare pays for the surgery if I have to go outside

the province so thank God I do!

I know how you feel about the " upcoming surgery " running your life.

For me it's more of not being able to communicate very well with the

bite I have now and it has gotten WAY worse now that I am at this

stage of orthodontics. I have been working temp jobs and was at one

for 9 months until everybody got laid off in the beg. of June ~ now

I'm not sure how to go about looking for work b/c of my upcoming

surgery and my various appts. It is so annoying! And the thought of

going through interviews not being able to speak very well makes me

nervous.

Also, I grew up in NS and went to univ. in Sydney and really want to

move back there, but I CAN'T b/c I have to stay in NB until my

braces come off which probably won't be until next June GRRRRR

What does your surgery involve? Mine is an underbite, but both my

upper and lower jaw will be moved. I try my best not to think about

it and live each day one at a time. Have you ever taken advil? I am

not a meds taker and had never taken it before I got braces, I find

it works the best! I really did not take to my braces either when I

first got them, it felt (and still feels sometimes) like rocks and

shards of glass were cemented to my teeth, and any pressure applied

to one tooth would shoot through all of them together.

I have only been wearing my braces since November/03 and my surgery

is in Sept ~ my consultation appt was in May and it did make me feel

a lot better. I have wanted this for a LONG time so maybe I am more

comfortable with the idea than you are, but if you are feeling

really anxious about it be sure to express that to your surgeon and

make a list of ANY questions that come to your mind, nothing is too

stupid. At the consultation I got some x-rays done and some

pictures taken and then a few minutes talking with the surgeon ~

there was nothing to it, and he was SUPER nice:)

Just think of the END RESULT and how it will all be worth it! I

would have to cry if I had to turn down a chance to go to Scotland

since I've always wanted to go there! Maybe you will have a second

chance and more opportunities after this is all done!

Hope some of this helps ~ I tend to ramble on sorry!

>

> Ok, I know I cant be the only one who loses sleep over this, but

the whole surgery thing is ruining / running my life.... I had to

turn down a chance to work adn study abroad for six months today

because I cant return from Scotland to Nova Scotia to see my ortho

for tightenings....

>

>

>

> How has everyone else dealt with this? I dont sleep anymore

because all I do is sit awake and worry and dwell on this whoel

thing.... and if its not hte dwelling its the pain from braces!!!

Does the initial appointment iwhtthe surgeon make you feel any

better or does it just spark more worries and concerns and downright

fears (as I have)?

>

> Do you think the surgeon could prescribe somting at the first

appointment for thesepanick attacks or should I start looking for a

good psych.?

>

> Awake at 5 am, for the third night in a row this week,

>

> Kev

>

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

It is indeed a totally personal decision. and I wish you well in

whatever your choice may be.

Do ask your ortho, though, and your surgeon about probabilities for

long-term retention of the changes they have made for you.

Cammie

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I am one year in with braces and will 'need' upper and lower for a

> full treatment. I too am getting tired of organizing my life around

> the upcoming surgery. In particular, work and activies (running,

> horseback riding, etc.) that will have to be put on hold. And the

> potential for introducing problems that I don't currently have

> (numbness of the gums, lips, chin, etc.), some of which may be

> permanent.

>

> I went for a second opinion this week as I am worried about

breaking

> something that basically works (my jaws). Yes, my bite is not

perfect

> but I can eat anything I want and do not suffer from headaches,

etc.

> The only real pain is in keeping my mouth open for long periods of

> time at the dentist!

>

> This surgeon told me that to have a perfect bite that I would need

> the surgery but that I also would need to be 100% committed or

would

> have a hard recovery. He also told me that I have the same bite as

> his 78 year old father-in -law who is thriving and successful in

life

> despite a 'bad bite'.

>

> All of this to say I do not think that I will proceed. I will have

my

> teeth straigtened, and will also consult a plastic surgeon to see

> what improvements in my profile can be acheived with minor surgery

> (such as a chin implant). Sure I will not have the elusive 'perfect

> bite' but truth be told, I am more interested in the final product

> (my appearance) than I am in having a world class bite, as my

current

> bite presents no problems for me.

>

> All of this to say it is a personal decision to proceed with such a

> major surgery, and my only advice is to honestly evaluate your

> motivation and explore your options. Ultimately it is you that has

to

> go through the entire treatment and live with the results, whatever

> they may be.

>

> Cheers!

>

>