Re: Question about pain before surgery even occurs

[Guest guest]

There are a few people who have problems with the pain post-op, but

not many. For most people, the combination of the numbness and the

painkillers they give (morphine or Demerol, immediately post op,

Lortab or Vicodin or something of that ilk for the next week or two)

usually are enough to block the pain.

I'm sorry you're hurting so. I was spared the coils, because my teeth

just scooted. But I can imagine that they are no fun.

Did your ortho offer any suggestions for relieving the pain?

It's conventional wisdom that if you take something before the

appointments with the ortho, it's easier and more effective to

prevent pain than to play catch up with it. (That's also true when

you're post op. Keep taking the pain stuff as long as you need it,

and don't overdose, but do be sure to get it before the pain comes

back.)

As for the pain of the braces, many docs suggest that you chew on the

sore places, and some docs even offer " chew toys, " hard plastic or

rubber discs that you bite down on. There's something about using

those teeth that while it hurts at first, helps keep the blood flow

going and relieves the soreness.

I don't know what to suggest about the joint pain. Do be sure that

your docs know it's going on, and ask if either ice or heat would

give you any relief. If they would, you might want to invest in a Zip-

N-Squeeze jaw wrap. They're also wonderful for post-op use.

For a time I even used a TENS unit -- Transcutaneous Electrical

Neural Stimulation, a little battery powered gadget with electrodes

attached. You put the electrodes on your face (but learn where the

right places are, for sure!) turn it on, and it sends little shocks

out to block the pain impulses.

Hope some of this is helpful to you. And hey -- if a good cry would

help, have at it! You're entitled.

Cammie

>

> My doctors are trying to get me ready for upper/lower/palate

surgery

> in December. I have these coils on my wires on each side to open

up

> space in between my canine teeth and I go to the ortho every 3

weeks

> now to get them activated/changed. The right side has about a 2mm

> space now, the left side is moving more slowly and is at 1mm. I

> have had a headache and more increased joint pain, face pain, tooth

> pain for over a month and a half. The ortho said it is from all

the

> moving my teeth are doing and from the way I chew due to my bite

> being made worse. I chew like sideways now to even be able to

> somewhat chew my food. I feel so awful today (just went to ortho

on

> 10/22, got new coils installed, more pressure). I've tried

tylenol,

> ibuprofen and nothing works at all. I am scared b/c if I have been

> in this much pain now before surgery then how will I handle after

> surgery. I expect to feel this way up until my surgery and then

way

> after surgery from all that. Anybody experience this and what did

> you do? I feel like crying.

[Guest guest]

There are a few people who have problems with the pain post-op, but

not many. For most people, the combination of the numbness and the

painkillers they give (morphine or Demerol, immediately post op,

Lortab or Vicodin or something of that ilk for the next week or two)

usually are enough to block the pain.

I'm sorry you're hurting so. I was spared the coils, because my teeth

just scooted. But I can imagine that they are no fun.

Did your ortho offer any suggestions for relieving the pain?

It's conventional wisdom that if you take something before the

appointments with the ortho, it's easier and more effective to

prevent pain than to play catch up with it. (That's also true when

you're post op. Keep taking the pain stuff as long as you need it,

and don't overdose, but do be sure to get it before the pain comes

back.)

As for the pain of the braces, many docs suggest that you chew on the

sore places, and some docs even offer " chew toys, " hard plastic or

rubber discs that you bite down on. There's something about using

those teeth that while it hurts at first, helps keep the blood flow

going and relieves the soreness.

I don't know what to suggest about the joint pain. Do be sure that

your docs know it's going on, and ask if either ice or heat would

give you any relief. If they would, you might want to invest in a Zip-

N-Squeeze jaw wrap. They're also wonderful for post-op use.

For a time I even used a TENS unit -- Transcutaneous Electrical

Neural Stimulation, a little battery powered gadget with electrodes

attached. You put the electrodes on your face (but learn where the

right places are, for sure!) turn it on, and it sends little shocks

out to block the pain impulses.

Hope some of this is helpful to you. And hey -- if a good cry would

help, have at it! You're entitled.

Cammie

>

> My doctors are trying to get me ready for upper/lower/palate

surgery

> in December. I have these coils on my wires on each side to open

up

> space in between my canine teeth and I go to the ortho every 3

weeks

> now to get them activated/changed. The right side has about a 2mm

> space now, the left side is moving more slowly and is at 1mm. I

> have had a headache and more increased joint pain, face pain, tooth

> pain for over a month and a half. The ortho said it is from all

the

> moving my teeth are doing and from the way I chew due to my bite

> being made worse. I chew like sideways now to even be able to

> somewhat chew my food. I feel so awful today (just went to ortho

on

> 10/22, got new coils installed, more pressure). I've tried

tylenol,

> ibuprofen and nothing works at all. I am scared b/c if I have been

> in this much pain now before surgery then how will I handle after

> surgery. I expect to feel this way up until my surgery and then

way

> after surgery from all that. Anybody experience this and what did

> you do? I feel like crying.