Re: 4 1/2 weeks and having my first problems

[Guest guest]

Marsha,

I know how you feel, it's probably our worst fear: to come out of

this with joint problems. Mine started probably about the same time

as you, my surgeon told me I could take out the elastics: a few days

without elastics I noticed I got more pain, not continuous though. I

also felt as though my right side was moving back. I called him a few

days later and he told me to put the elastics back in. Right after

that I had my first adjustment at the ortho at 6 weeks post-op and he

also told me to continue with the elastics in the same position(but

now more to bring down my bite)one on either side. Since then, I have

to say the pain has really subsided a great deal and I don't feel as

though one side has moved back. I don't know if it's because of the

elastics or the fact that my bite is much better since the

adjustment. I do get a bit tired and achy in my joints if I keep my

mouth too much or too long open, so I just try not to do that, I'm

also not doing any excercises. I really hope things are moving in the

right direction now, but it's a slow process.We have to wait and see

I guess... Definately talk to your surgeon, perhaps (more) elastics

can give you some relief.

Nathalie

> Well, I've breezed through this up until now. I knew it was too

good

> to be true!

>

> A few days ago I started to have some aching in the right side,

joint

> and upper and lower jaw, I didn't think much of it took a few

motrin

> and I was fine. At first it was only in the evenings I chalked it

up

> to fatigue from my first week back at work.

>

> Well it is worse now, it is constant and even the pain meds I have

> leftover from surgery don't control it for long. I have an

> apptointment tomorrow at 8am with my OS, he is out today and his

> office is trying to page him. In addition to the pain it looks like

> my lower jaw has shifted significantly to the right.

>

> I think this all may be due to clenching my teeth at night, this

may

> have forced my jaw to the right and is causing the pain.

>

> Any opinions or input?

>

> Marsha

[Guest guest]

Marsha,

I know how you feel, it's probably our worst fear: to come out of

this with joint problems. Mine started probably about the same time

as you, my surgeon told me I could take out the elastics: a few days

without elastics I noticed I got more pain, not continuous though. I

also felt as though my right side was moving back. I called him a few

days later and he told me to put the elastics back in. Right after

that I had my first adjustment at the ortho at 6 weeks post-op and he

also told me to continue with the elastics in the same position(but

now more to bring down my bite)one on either side. Since then, I have

to say the pain has really subsided a great deal and I don't feel as

though one side has moved back. I don't know if it's because of the

elastics or the fact that my bite is much better since the

adjustment. I do get a bit tired and achy in my joints if I keep my

mouth too much or too long open, so I just try not to do that, I'm

also not doing any excercises. I really hope things are moving in the

right direction now, but it's a slow process.We have to wait and see

I guess... Definately talk to your surgeon, perhaps (more) elastics

can give you some relief.

Nathalie

> Well, I've breezed through this up until now. I knew it was too

good

> to be true!

>

> A few days ago I started to have some aching in the right side,

joint

> and upper and lower jaw, I didn't think much of it took a few

motrin

> and I was fine. At first it was only in the evenings I chalked it

up

> to fatigue from my first week back at work.

>

> Well it is worse now, it is constant and even the pain meds I have

> leftover from surgery don't control it for long. I have an

> apptointment tomorrow at 8am with my OS, he is out today and his

> office is trying to page him. In addition to the pain it looks like

> my lower jaw has shifted significantly to the right.

>

> I think this all may be due to clenching my teeth at night, this

may

> have forced my jaw to the right and is causing the pain.

>

> Any opinions or input?

>

> Marsha

[Guest guest]

Hi Marsha,

One thought, if you're clenching at night, have you ever taken

amitryptyline (antidepressant)? I take a low dose of it at night (I'm

not depressed, but it was prescribed for me after a sleep study that

I had over 10 years ago), it helps me unwind and get to sleep and

stay asleep. I do know that others here have been prescribed higher

doses of it to help with nighttime clenching. You might ask about

whether that can help.

I have nothing else to offer, just sympathy for this hurdle in your

recovery. Hopefully your surgeon can help and put your fears to rest.

[Guest guest]

Hi Marsha,

One thought, if you're clenching at night, have you ever taken

amitryptyline (antidepressant)? I take a low dose of it at night (I'm

not depressed, but it was prescribed for me after a sleep study that

I had over 10 years ago), it helps me unwind and get to sleep and

stay asleep. I do know that others here have been prescribed higher

doses of it to help with nighttime clenching. You might ask about

whether that can help.

I have nothing else to offer, just sympathy for this hurdle in your

recovery. Hopefully your surgeon can help and put your fears to rest.

[Guest guest]

Wish I could give you a better answer, Marsha, but I think you need

your doc for this one. I'm glad his office is trying to get you the

help you need.

Cammie

> Well, I've breezed through this up until now. I knew it was too

good

> to be true!

>

> A few days ago I started to have some aching in the right side,

joint

> and upper and lower jaw, I didn't think much of it took a few

motrin

> and I was fine. At first it was only in the evenings I chalked it

up

> to fatigue from my first week back at work.

>

> Well it is worse now, it is constant and even the pain meds I have

> leftover from surgery don't control it for long. I have an

> apptointment tomorrow at 8am with my OS, he is out today and his

> office is trying to page him. In addition to the pain it looks like

> my lower jaw has shifted significantly to the right.

>

> I think this all may be due to clenching my teeth at night, this

may

> have forced my jaw to the right and is causing the pain.

>

> Any opinions or input?

>

> Marsha

[Guest guest]

Wish I could give you a better answer, Marsha, but I think you need

your doc for this one. I'm glad his office is trying to get you the

help you need.

Cammie

> Well, I've breezed through this up until now. I knew it was too

good

> to be true!

>

> A few days ago I started to have some aching in the right side,

joint

> and upper and lower jaw, I didn't think much of it took a few

motrin

> and I was fine. At first it was only in the evenings I chalked it

up

> to fatigue from my first week back at work.

>

> Well it is worse now, it is constant and even the pain meds I have

> leftover from surgery don't control it for long. I have an

> apptointment tomorrow at 8am with my OS, he is out today and his

> office is trying to page him. In addition to the pain it looks like

> my lower jaw has shifted significantly to the right.

>

> I think this all may be due to clenching my teeth at night, this

may

> have forced my jaw to the right and is causing the pain.

>

> Any opinions or input?

>

> Marsha