Guest guest Posted September 2, 2004 Report Share Posted September 2, 2004 Hi Marsha, I'm a believer in short term meds, especially if it allows you to function more or less normally. Got my fingers crossed for a quick solution for you too. > Well I finally found the right mixture and dosage of meds to control > the pain and still be able to function. It is funny how different > people react to different meds. I can take Vicodin and still function > normally and it does little for the pain yet I know people who will > sleep for 12 hours with one Vicodin. > > Anyway since the Vicodin didn't do much my Dr. gave me percocet > again, I can't function normally with it, but I found that if I do > half a percocet every 3 hours instead of 1 every 4 I can get through > the day, then the flexoril at night let's me sleep. > > I hate to take so many meds, but it's better than the pain. I have an > MRI and CT scheduled tomorrow and an appointment with my OS to see > when if and when the second surgery will be. > > Can't wait til this is over and I can have a normal life again > > Marsha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2004 Report Share Posted September 2, 2004 Hi Marsha, I'm a believer in short term meds, especially if it allows you to function more or less normally. Got my fingers crossed for a quick solution for you too. > Well I finally found the right mixture and dosage of meds to control > the pain and still be able to function. It is funny how different > people react to different meds. I can take Vicodin and still function > normally and it does little for the pain yet I know people who will > sleep for 12 hours with one Vicodin. > > Anyway since the Vicodin didn't do much my Dr. gave me percocet > again, I can't function normally with it, but I found that if I do > half a percocet every 3 hours instead of 1 every 4 I can get through > the day, then the flexoril at night let's me sleep. > > I hate to take so many meds, but it's better than the pain. I have an > MRI and CT scheduled tomorrow and an appointment with my OS to see > when if and when the second surgery will be. > > Can't wait til this is over and I can have a normal life again > > Marsha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 Hi Marsha, glad to hear you may be able to avoid surgery for the tmj pain. your jaw exercises should also help the cartiledge as when your jaw opens it pulls the condyle away from the cartiledge. you might want to try bromelain (pineapple enzyme) for the ear pain and swelling. it has been found to be very effective in reducing swelling from facial surgeries and is easier on the liver than over the counter antiinflams. I started taking it today to try and clear my left ear as I still can't hear out of it at 3 months post-op. hope all goes well. eric > > I have been having joint pain on the right side, this has been going > on for about a month (I am 9 weeks post-op) My surgeon has given me > pain pills again, and anti inflamatories, as well as a muscle > relaxer, because I clench at night as well. I can't open my mouth > very much either, and I have ear pain and even pain in the temple > sometimes. > > I went to see him and a Sr. associate from his office yesterday, the > have determined, from an MRI, CTs scan and xray, that my right > cartiladge has moved, apparently as a result of the movement of the > surgery. > > There is and option to correct it surgically, but before that they > are trying to get it to correct itself, I have been given exercises > to do, and a Therabite apparatus, which I put in my mouth and sueeze > the lever and it pushes my upper and bottom teeth apart, I am to > force it to open until I feel it stetch then stop and hold it. I will > also go for PT 3 times a week. > > If this does not help in 3 weeks then I will have it corrected > surgically. this would be a minor surgery, it is arthroscopic (sp?) > and I would be out patient. Supposedly all of this whould relax the > muscles enough to allow the cartiladge to slip back in place. If not > then my surgeon will put it back. > > > Marsha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 Hi Marsha, glad to hear you may be able to avoid surgery for the tmj pain. your jaw exercises should also help the cartiledge as when your jaw opens it pulls the condyle away from the cartiledge. you might want to try bromelain (pineapple enzyme) for the ear pain and swelling. it has been found to be very effective in reducing swelling from facial surgeries and is easier on the liver than over the counter antiinflams. I started taking it today to try and clear my left ear as I still can't hear out of it at 3 months post-op. hope all goes well. eric > > I have been having joint pain on the right side, this has been going > on for about a month (I am 9 weeks post-op) My surgeon has given me > pain pills again, and anti inflamatories, as well as a muscle > relaxer, because I clench at night as well. I can't open my mouth > very much either, and I have ear pain and even pain in the temple > sometimes. > > I went to see him and a Sr. associate from his office yesterday, the > have determined, from an MRI, CTs scan and xray, that my right > cartiladge has moved, apparently as a result of the movement of the > surgery. > > There is and option to correct it surgically, but before that they > are trying to get it to correct itself, I have been given exercises > to do, and a Therabite apparatus, which I put in my mouth and sueeze > the lever and it pushes my upper and bottom teeth apart, I am to > force it to open until I feel it stetch then stop and hold it. I will > also go for PT 3 times a week. > > If this does not help in 3 weeks then I will have it corrected > surgically. this would be a minor surgery, it is arthroscopic (sp?) > and I would be out patient. Supposedly all of this whould relax the > muscles enough to allow the cartiladge to slip back in place. If not > then my surgeon will put it back. > > > Marsha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 Hi Marsha, Thanks for the update. I tried to respond earlier, but yahoo poofed out on me. It's good to hear that some options are being explored before surgery is contemplated for you. I'm a surgery-as-a-last-resort type of person (same with drugs). I just talked with my friend who had the same problem, or so she thought. She told me that the MRI she had in June showed that her disc was in a normal position, so the TMJ specialist she was seeing was out to lunch. She hasn't gone back to her, nor the physiotherapist. Frustrating! She doesn't know now what the problem is. It's good to know that the surgeon (also mine) didn't dislodge the disc during surgery though. She also didn't like taking all the heavy duty drugs they were giving her so she just stopped taking them and is managing ok without. She's found a good massage therapist in her neighbourhood and is seeing him for some of the neck/shoulder spasms she has (car accident years ago, she's also a tall person in a short person's world). Her opening is 40mm, which I think is pretty darned good. She's ok with that. She is very, very careful about controlled yawns now, and doesn't open her mouth very wide, as I do too. Anyway, I thought I'd give you her update too. My fingers and toes are crossed for some progress on your situation. > > I have been having joint pain on the right side, this has been going > on for about a month (I am 9 weeks post-op) My surgeon has given me > pain pills again, and anti inflamatories, as well as a muscle > relaxer, because I clench at night as well. I can't open my mouth > very much either, and I have ear pain and even pain in the temple > sometimes. > > I went to see him and a Sr. associate from his office yesterday, the > have determined, from an MRI, CTs scan and xray, that my right > cartiladge has moved, apparently as a result of the movement of the > surgery. > > There is and option to correct it surgically, but before that they > are trying to get it to correct itself, I have been given exercises > to do, and a Therabite apparatus, which I put in my mouth and sueeze > the lever and it pushes my upper and bottom teeth apart, I am to > force it to open until I feel it stetch then stop and hold it. I will > also go for PT 3 times a week. > > If this does not help in 3 weeks then I will have it corrected > surgically. this would be a minor surgery, it is arthroscopic (sp?) > and I would be out patient. Supposedly all of this whould relax the > muscles enough to allow the cartiladge to slip back in place. If not > then my surgeon will put it back. > > > Marsha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 Hi Marsha, Thanks for the update. I tried to respond earlier, but yahoo poofed out on me. It's good to hear that some options are being explored before surgery is contemplated for you. I'm a surgery-as-a-last-resort type of person (same with drugs). I just talked with my friend who had the same problem, or so she thought. She told me that the MRI she had in June showed that her disc was in a normal position, so the TMJ specialist she was seeing was out to lunch. She hasn't gone back to her, nor the physiotherapist. Frustrating! She doesn't know now what the problem is. It's good to know that the surgeon (also mine) didn't dislodge the disc during surgery though. She also didn't like taking all the heavy duty drugs they were giving her so she just stopped taking them and is managing ok without. She's found a good massage therapist in her neighbourhood and is seeing him for some of the neck/shoulder spasms she has (car accident years ago, she's also a tall person in a short person's world). Her opening is 40mm, which I think is pretty darned good. She's ok with that. She is very, very careful about controlled yawns now, and doesn't open her mouth very wide, as I do too. Anyway, I thought I'd give you her update too. My fingers and toes are crossed for some progress on your situation. > > I have been having joint pain on the right side, this has been going > on for about a month (I am 9 weeks post-op) My surgeon has given me > pain pills again, and anti inflamatories, as well as a muscle > relaxer, because I clench at night as well. I can't open my mouth > very much either, and I have ear pain and even pain in the temple > sometimes. > > I went to see him and a Sr. associate from his office yesterday, the > have determined, from an MRI, CTs scan and xray, that my right > cartiladge has moved, apparently as a result of the movement of the > surgery. > > There is and option to correct it surgically, but before that they > are trying to get it to correct itself, I have been given exercises > to do, and a Therabite apparatus, which I put in my mouth and sueeze > the lever and it pushes my upper and bottom teeth apart, I am to > force it to open until I feel it stetch then stop and hold it. I will > also go for PT 3 times a week. > > If this does not help in 3 weeks then I will have it corrected > surgically. this would be a minor surgery, it is arthroscopic (sp?) > and I would be out patient. Supposedly all of this whould relax the > muscles enough to allow the cartiladge to slip back in place. If not > then my surgeon will put it back. > > > Marsha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 10, 2004 Report Share Posted September 10, 2004 My MRI clearly showed the disc all scrunched up in front of th jaw joint and my surgeon even said it was probably due to the pressure put on the jaw dring surgery. At least he is honest! He also said it was probably unstabel to begin with since that is the side that would pop and lock occasionally. My therapist is doing some myofacial (sp?) stretching on my jaw and neck muscles and that is a huge relief also so I am hpooin all of htis works. In the mean time thanks god for pain killers though I use them the least amount possible I would be a basket case without them. Marsha > > > > I have been having joint pain on the right side, this has been > going > > on for about a month (I am 9 weeks post-op) My surgeon has given me > > pain pills again, and anti inflamatories, as well as a muscle > > relaxer, because I clench at night as well. I can't open my mouth > > very much either, and I have ear pain and even pain in the temple > > sometimes. > > > > I went to see him and a Sr. associate from his office yesterday, > the > > have determined, from an MRI, CTs scan and xray, that my right > > cartiladge has moved, apparently as a result of the movement of the > > surgery. > > > > There is and option to correct it surgically, but before that they > > are trying to get it to correct itself, I have been given exercises > > to do, and a Therabite apparatus, which I put in my mouth and > sueeze > > the lever and it pushes my upper and bottom teeth apart, I am to > > force it to open until I feel it stetch then stop and hold it. I > will > > also go for PT 3 times a week. > > > > If this does not help in 3 weeks then I will have it corrected > > surgically. this would be a minor surgery, it is arthroscopic (sp?) > > and I would be out patient. Supposedly all of this whould relax the > > muscles enough to allow the cartiladge to slip back in place. If > not > > then my surgeon will put it back. > > > > > > Marsha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 10, 2004 Report Share Posted September 10, 2004 My MRI clearly showed the disc all scrunched up in front of th jaw joint and my surgeon even said it was probably due to the pressure put on the jaw dring surgery. At least he is honest! He also said it was probably unstabel to begin with since that is the side that would pop and lock occasionally. My therapist is doing some myofacial (sp?) stretching on my jaw and neck muscles and that is a huge relief also so I am hpooin all of htis works. In the mean time thanks god for pain killers though I use them the least amount possible I would be a basket case without them. Marsha > > > > I have been having joint pain on the right side, this has been > going > > on for about a month (I am 9 weeks post-op) My surgeon has given me > > pain pills again, and anti inflamatories, as well as a muscle > > relaxer, because I clench at night as well. I can't open my mouth > > very much either, and I have ear pain and even pain in the temple > > sometimes. > > > > I went to see him and a Sr. associate from his office yesterday, > the > > have determined, from an MRI, CTs scan and xray, that my right > > cartiladge has moved, apparently as a result of the movement of the > > surgery. > > > > There is and option to correct it surgically, but before that they > > are trying to get it to correct itself, I have been given exercises > > to do, and a Therabite apparatus, which I put in my mouth and > sueeze > > the lever and it pushes my upper and bottom teeth apart, I am to > > force it to open until I feel it stetch then stop and hold it. I > will > > also go for PT 3 times a week. > > > > If this does not help in 3 weeks then I will have it corrected > > surgically. this would be a minor surgery, it is arthroscopic (sp?) > > and I would be out patient. Supposedly all of this whould relax the > > muscles enough to allow the cartiladge to slip back in place. If > not > > then my surgeon will put it back. > > > > > > Marsha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 10, 2004 Report Share Posted September 10, 2004 Hi Marsha, Glad the therapist is giving you relief. I told my friend last night that I was so happy with what my massage therapist has done for me over the past 3.5 years that if I had to choose between food & a therapy session, I'd opt for the therapy (of course I would not starve forever, never fear). I believe folks now when they say " get an MRI to be certain " if there's troubles. Not that everyone needs one, but in certain situations, yes. Best wishes, fingers still crossed for you! > My MRI clearly showed the disc all scrunched up in front of th jaw > joint and my surgeon even said it was probably due to the pressure > put on the jaw dring surgery. At least he is honest! He also said it > was probably unstabel to begin with since that is the side that would > pop and lock occasionally. > > My therapist is doing some myofacial (sp?) stretching on my jaw and > neck muscles and that is a huge relief also so I am hoping all of > this works. In the mean time thanks god for pain killers though I use > them the least amount possible I would be a basket case without them. > > Marsha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 10, 2004 Report Share Posted September 10, 2004 Hi Marsha, Glad the therapist is giving you relief. I told my friend last night that I was so happy with what my massage therapist has done for me over the past 3.5 years that if I had to choose between food & a therapy session, I'd opt for the therapy (of course I would not starve forever, never fear). I believe folks now when they say " get an MRI to be certain " if there's troubles. Not that everyone needs one, but in certain situations, yes. Best wishes, fingers still crossed for you! > My MRI clearly showed the disc all scrunched up in front of th jaw > joint and my surgeon even said it was probably due to the pressure > put on the jaw dring surgery. At least he is honest! He also said it > was probably unstabel to begin with since that is the side that would > pop and lock occasionally. > > My therapist is doing some myofacial (sp?) stretching on my jaw and > neck muscles and that is a huge relief also so I am hoping all of > this works. In the mean time thanks god for pain killers though I use > them the least amount possible I would be a basket case without them. > > Marsha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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