Re: Shirley OS Update to Shirley

July 20, 2005

Hi Shirley,

I'm happy to hear your OD appt went well. I hope the next 8-12 months

in braces go by fast for you. I haven't been back to my OD yet (my OS

says to wait another month or two) but I do have a lot of work to be

done now that my jaws are finally in the right position and I have a

decent bite. Only one tooth touches on the left and I think two teeth

on the right. They won't tell me how much longer I need the braces. Oh

well, after nine years what's another year or two. At least my OD has

a family discount so we'll save some money when my daughter starts

braces in about two years.

My joint pain is getting a lot better. My right side feels great but

my left is still sore and swollen. My OS thought I might be developing

an infection there so he switched me to a stronger antibiotic and now

I'm slowly starting to feel better on that side. Today at PT, I was

able to open 24 mm which is the most I've ever been able to open since

I had my first surgery. Our goal is 30 mm and I'm sure that I'll

eventually get there. I have another six weeks of PT left.

Most people do see some improvement in their TMJ symptoms and I really

hope you're one of them.

> Hi , Thanks. I hope your joint pain is doing better, as I know

> you had a rough time with joint replacements.

>

> Each day the numbness gets better and today when I went to OD even

> found out there is definitely some painful areas that aren't numb

> when they pressed on lower lip and gum.

>

> I notice the jaws (probably joints) tighten up at night but loosen up

> as I use them during day. I just hope the left joint (which has

more

> degenerative changes) doesn't give problem when I start chewing

> (hopefully in 2 weeks).

>

> Take care,

>

> Shirley

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