Yes, I am at last feeling relaxed and happy with this new mouth. The pain in my jaw joint is 99.9% gone. My physio told me to up my dose of nortryptiline and the night pain has disappeared accordingly. My jaw mobility is awesome! Well, in comparison with what it was. I can jut my lower teeth out beyond my uppers, and can open 33mm (and have further to go yet, I know). I can also move my lower jaw out to both sides.
My top teeth haven't moved over to the centre much but then it's only been about 3 weeks since the spring's been in. I've realised that for proper chewing it'll have to happen. I can't slide my lower jaw over to the right with the molars together (ie chew to that side) because the canines bang into each other. They in fact need to slide over each other but can't because they're not positioned correctly in relation to each other. My ortho was talking about this from straight after the surgery and I didn't know why he kept going on about it. Now I am functioning normally again I realise why.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Will I ever be satisfied?
So what is my new problem.... oh dear... well it's been around since my surgery happened but I haven't really noticed it until now. I can only chew well on one side of my mouth because my molars don't touch on the right side. My orthodontist was worried about this from the start but I didn't care. Now that my mobility has improved so much (I can even incise easily now), I realise that chewing meat and hard stuff is only successful on my left side.
The surgeon told me before the surgery that after the surgery my incisors would meet but my molars wouldn't and the ortho would have to bring them down. When I asked him if he still had to do that he said 'That's happened now'. But now I will have to ask him again if there's anything more he can do. I'm afraid I have been more work for him than he bargained for.
My pain continues to decline and I am working REALLY hard on my exercises. I am forcing my jaw well into the pain threshold and it is yielding results. Coming up to the 3 finger opening.
The surgeon told me before the surgery that after the surgery my incisors would meet but my molars wouldn't and the ortho would have to bring them down. When I asked him if he still had to do that he said 'That's happened now'. But now I will have to ask him again if there's anything more he can do. I'm afraid I have been more work for him than he bargained for.
My pain continues to decline and I am working REALLY hard on my exercises. I am forcing my jaw well into the pain threshold and it is yielding results. Coming up to the 3 finger opening.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Medication and new spring
I got the new spring in my mouth to pull the teeth over to the side. No big deal. Sore teeth as you can imagine! I'll put in a photo soon. It's hard to see unless I pull my lip to the side.
The crazy bit is that as soon as I got it in my mouth I knew it wouldn't interfere with my jaw exercises. Remember that I delayed having it put in by 6 weeks because I thought that would be the case. I could have had the braces off before Christmas, because it is only meant to be in 3 months. Grrrrr. However he did say it could open up some gaps that would then have to be closed with power chains so I am thinking I could still have more than 3 months to go.
Today I went to a GP to ask for a prescription for the amitryptiline. WELL. I ended up with a registrar and it was AWFUL. She wouldn't prescribe it, didn't believe I have a TMJ problem. I said how come my jaw mobility is so awful. It's the braces, she said. I've noticed braces mean children can't open their mouths properly. I told her that was absolutely WRONG.
I could rant on about her but really have been so wound up it would not be good for me!
I got home and rang my surgeon. He wrote a script straight away.
The $40 I paid the GP would have been better flushed down the toilet.
The crazy bit is that as soon as I got it in my mouth I knew it wouldn't interfere with my jaw exercises. Remember that I delayed having it put in by 6 weeks because I thought that would be the case. I could have had the braces off before Christmas, because it is only meant to be in 3 months. Grrrrr. However he did say it could open up some gaps that would then have to be closed with power chains so I am thinking I could still have more than 3 months to go.
Today I went to a GP to ask for a prescription for the amitryptiline. WELL. I ended up with a registrar and it was AWFUL. She wouldn't prescribe it, didn't believe I have a TMJ problem. I said how come my jaw mobility is so awful. It's the braces, she said. I've noticed braces mean children can't open their mouths properly. I told her that was absolutely WRONG.
I could rant on about her but really have been so wound up it would not be good for me!
I got home and rang my surgeon. He wrote a script straight away.
The $40 I paid the GP would have been better flushed down the toilet.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Physiotherapist
Had the physio visit today. I went to it in a lot less pain - things have been continuing to improve on that front.
The outcome really surprised me. I came away with antidepressants! Well, a recommendation for my GP to prescribe some. Called amitriptylline - which as an antidepressant is used at about 75-100 mg whereas I will take about 5 mg.
I'll try to explain why but can't remember all the details. He says it is my lateral pteragoid muscle not moving the TMJ disc properly, and at night time it gets worse due to build up of metabolites and that the pill will break that cycle.
What an honest guy... he could have kept charging me $40 a visit for many visits, and that's still an option, but he really thinks this will work.
He did stick a needle in my muscle and I think there was some loosening afterwards.
Orthodontist tomorrow for the bizarre teeth-to-the-side-moving device. Since it has a spring as part of it, I can only imagine that it will take me to even deeper depths of foul food catching.
The outcome really surprised me. I came away with antidepressants! Well, a recommendation for my GP to prescribe some. Called amitriptylline - which as an antidepressant is used at about 75-100 mg whereas I will take about 5 mg.
I'll try to explain why but can't remember all the details. He says it is my lateral pteragoid muscle not moving the TMJ disc properly, and at night time it gets worse due to build up of metabolites and that the pill will break that cycle.
What an honest guy... he could have kept charging me $40 a visit for many visits, and that's still an option, but he really thinks this will work.
He did stick a needle in my muscle and I think there was some loosening afterwards.
Orthodontist tomorrow for the bizarre teeth-to-the-side-moving device. Since it has a spring as part of it, I can only imagine that it will take me to even deeper depths of foul food catching.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Feeling good
I am still waiting for my physiotherapy appointment next week but it is amazing how much my pain has reduced with time. My body is obviously working hard at fixing itself. My opening hasn't changed much, still at barely 3cm with terrible forwards and right-sided movement. But that is of small concern to me compared to the pain. The noise is disappearing too.
With summer coming on I am really really enjoying eating tomato sandwiches. Only someone who has had an open bite will appreciate what I mean. And I am very much enjoying the way my lips touch at rest.
Sadly two nights ago my husband heard me clenching in my sleep (just 3 clicks though) and I woke up with a terrible headache which lasted all day. Could have been stress induced cos my son has been really sick (chest and ear infection) and our car wasn't working so I couldn't easily get him to a doctor. Fortunately our neighbours babysat and lent me their car, they are so kind. Jack's much better now and the car is fixed.
He is the loveliest boy and such a joy to me. He made me a card for my birthday today that said "I love you so much Mama!"
I have lots of other stuff going on which I am loving. Our 3 Orpington hens are thriving, we have had them 2 weeks and they have almost doubled in size I think! They are SO funny and we love watching them and having them with us.
Also I have started Zumba dancing and yoga. These are fairly expensive hobbies. But they make me feel GREAT and of course are fantastic for the health and fitness. Zumba tonight, can't wait. Remind me NEVER to do another aerobics class. As my dance studio's website says, 'Ditch the workout, join the party!'. I love dancing!!
With summer coming on I am really really enjoying eating tomato sandwiches. Only someone who has had an open bite will appreciate what I mean. And I am very much enjoying the way my lips touch at rest.
Sadly two nights ago my husband heard me clenching in my sleep (just 3 clicks though) and I woke up with a terrible headache which lasted all day. Could have been stress induced cos my son has been really sick (chest and ear infection) and our car wasn't working so I couldn't easily get him to a doctor. Fortunately our neighbours babysat and lent me their car, they are so kind. Jack's much better now and the car is fixed.
He is the loveliest boy and such a joy to me. He made me a card for my birthday today that said "I love you so much Mama!"
I have lots of other stuff going on which I am loving. Our 3 Orpington hens are thriving, we have had them 2 weeks and they have almost doubled in size I think! They are SO funny and we love watching them and having them with us.
Also I have started Zumba dancing and yoga. These are fairly expensive hobbies. But they make me feel GREAT and of course are fantastic for the health and fitness. Zumba tonight, can't wait. Remind me NEVER to do another aerobics class. As my dance studio's website says, 'Ditch the workout, join the party!'. I love dancing!!
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