Thursday, March 31, 2011
OUCH TMJ Pain is back
The one thing I was worried about was my TMJ pain coming back after surgery, well I was right! Because I can't use my night splint anymore I am pretty sure I am still grinding and clenching in my sleep so my TMJ pain has been quite bad the past two days. Also I am sure some of it is from the surgery too as everything feels so tight. My neck and back have also been a little sore so I think I might visit my chiropractor today so see if he can relieve some of my pain.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Day 4 Update
Hey Everyone
Its been 4 days now since surgery and I am starting to feel better. I honestly think that most of the discomfort/pain I have had is mainly from the anchorage plates that were put in. I saw the surgeon yesterday and he is happy with everything. Dr Peter Mouser has been amazing, I would highly recommend him to anyone.
Turning the key
Dr Mouser started turning yesterday, a few days earlier than expected. I am turning once a day for about 20 days. I am already starting to get a gap and I wouldnt say it hurts that much, its just more of a tight/pressure feeling after its turned. Neurofen plus has been helping a great deal.
Swelling & numbness
The swelling is slowly going down and a little bit of bruising has shown up on my cheek today. The swelling was not bad at first it gradually got worse over the first 3 days, now I think its starting to subside. I also have some slight bruising on my cheek today, its a little bit yellow. Regarding numbness I couldnt feel my top lips for almost 3 days, but its getting better now. When I touch my front teeth I cant really feel them, I think it will take a while for that to come back.
Eating
Normally I LOVE my food and I thought I would find it quite difficult eating soft and liquid foods, but it actually hasnt been that bad. The first few days I didnt feel like eating too much and when I did eat I would get so full quickly. The key is to have a variety and invest in a blender if you don't have one. Some of the foods I have been having are: chicken and vegie soup blended (from a chinese take away shop), Sanitarium up and go protein drinks, custard, pumpkin soup, tomato soup, ice cream and jelly. I had scrambled eggs for dinner last night and I just had some fried rice for lunch today - you dont need to chew either, they are quite easy to swallow hole. I am going to make a beef casserole tonight and blend it to make sure I get some much needed nutrients. And tomorrow I plan on having some mashed vegies. I havent really lost any weight yet but I think thats because of the swelling, Ill let you know in a few days if that changes!
Sleeping
Sleeping has not been too bad, I had to sleep on my back for the first few nights, but now I am sleeping normally. As gross as it sounds the first few nights I would have blood on my pillow when I woke up so I started using a towel. The pain killers help you get a good night sleep! I am finding I need a nap during the day as you do get tired quite easily, but I am not sleeping as much as I thought I would.
Brushing teeth
I started lightly brushing my teeth the next day. Its actually really important I keep the plates clean so I have a special soft toothbrush from my OS. I am also using savacol mouth wash after all of my meals.
Other randoms things I have experienced
The first night or two I had some blood coming out through either my nose or throat. I am still occasionally bringing up blood but its subsided. Pain in general isnt too bad, its definitely managable with pain meds, I am also on antibotics to prevent infection. I have had my husband off work helping me which you definitely need, you just dont have much energy to do anything. Ice packs didnt help that much, only on the 2nd or 3rd day when my face felt hot from the swelling.
I have also found every day to be different and your days are very up and down. One minute I feel great then a few hours later I feel crappy. I think sometimes its because I havent eaten much because once i eat i start to feel a bit better.
Another nice note was my orthodontist sent me a nice package while I was in hospital as a get well present, I thought that was a lovely touch :) They really do care about their clients and I have received great care from both the ortho and OS.
Its been 4 days now since surgery and I am starting to feel better. I honestly think that most of the discomfort/pain I have had is mainly from the anchorage plates that were put in. I saw the surgeon yesterday and he is happy with everything. Dr Peter Mouser has been amazing, I would highly recommend him to anyone.
Turning the key
Dr Mouser started turning yesterday, a few days earlier than expected. I am turning once a day for about 20 days. I am already starting to get a gap and I wouldnt say it hurts that much, its just more of a tight/pressure feeling after its turned. Neurofen plus has been helping a great deal.
Swelling & numbness
The swelling is slowly going down and a little bit of bruising has shown up on my cheek today. The swelling was not bad at first it gradually got worse over the first 3 days, now I think its starting to subside. I also have some slight bruising on my cheek today, its a little bit yellow. Regarding numbness I couldnt feel my top lips for almost 3 days, but its getting better now. When I touch my front teeth I cant really feel them, I think it will take a while for that to come back.
Eating
Normally I LOVE my food and I thought I would find it quite difficult eating soft and liquid foods, but it actually hasnt been that bad. The first few days I didnt feel like eating too much and when I did eat I would get so full quickly. The key is to have a variety and invest in a blender if you don't have one. Some of the foods I have been having are: chicken and vegie soup blended (from a chinese take away shop), Sanitarium up and go protein drinks, custard, pumpkin soup, tomato soup, ice cream and jelly. I had scrambled eggs for dinner last night and I just had some fried rice for lunch today - you dont need to chew either, they are quite easy to swallow hole. I am going to make a beef casserole tonight and blend it to make sure I get some much needed nutrients. And tomorrow I plan on having some mashed vegies. I havent really lost any weight yet but I think thats because of the swelling, Ill let you know in a few days if that changes!
Sleeping
Sleeping has not been too bad, I had to sleep on my back for the first few nights, but now I am sleeping normally. As gross as it sounds the first few nights I would have blood on my pillow when I woke up so I started using a towel. The pain killers help you get a good night sleep! I am finding I need a nap during the day as you do get tired quite easily, but I am not sleeping as much as I thought I would.
Brushing teeth
I started lightly brushing my teeth the next day. Its actually really important I keep the plates clean so I have a special soft toothbrush from my OS. I am also using savacol mouth wash after all of my meals.
Other randoms things I have experienced
The first night or two I had some blood coming out through either my nose or throat. I am still occasionally bringing up blood but its subsided. Pain in general isnt too bad, its definitely managable with pain meds, I am also on antibotics to prevent infection. I have had my husband off work helping me which you definitely need, you just dont have much energy to do anything. Ice packs didnt help that much, only on the 2nd or 3rd day when my face felt hot from the swelling.
I have also found every day to be different and your days are very up and down. One minute I feel great then a few hours later I feel crappy. I think sometimes its because I havent eaten much because once i eat i start to feel a bit better.
Another nice note was my orthodontist sent me a nice package while I was in hospital as a get well present, I thought that was a lovely touch :) They really do care about their clients and I have received great care from both the ortho and OS.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Day 1 to 3 post op
The swelling has gradually gotten worse over the past 3 days as you can see in the photos. Everyone says day 3 is the worse and I agree. I have been in some pain because of the swelling and I think a part of it is from the anchorage plates they put in. They are pushing up against my cheeks. Pain killers are helping though and I am finding ice is now helping also as my face feels quite hot from the swelling. I am not really bruised though which doesn't surprise me too much as I dont normally bruise easy. the bruising may come later, who knows...
Morning after and first night at home
Day 2 & 3
Morning after and first night at home
Day 2 & 3
Straight after op
Here are some photos of when I first got out of the operation and the first night. You can see the swelling wasn't too bad but I had a bit of blood in my mouth -gross I know! And I had a gap straight away as they turned the expander during the operation to make sure it works.
When I first woke up I was in pain, but I had the 'magic button' which I had to press about 3 times before I got relief, then I became quite comfortable. I had ice on my face for a little while but it didnt give much relief.
When I first woke up I was in pain, but I had the 'magic button' which I had to press about 3 times before I got relief, then I became quite comfortable. I had ice on my face for a little while but it didnt give much relief.
Pre op profile photos
Here are a couple of photos I took the night before my Op. The first image shows my mouth relaxed and the second one is me trying to close my mouth. You can see how uncomfortable it is for me and the dimpling I get in my chin.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Home from hospital
Hi Everyone
I got home from hospital a couple of hours ago and feeling very tired and weak. I will update u in the next few days in more depth with some photos. The Dr said it all went perfectly and I am recovering well. I have been having some soups and lots of those protein drinks, choclate ones - they are quite yummy :) The main thing I have noticed is the blood that I am bringin up, I think its coming from my nose and going down the back of my throat. The pain isnt too bad, I had one of those self administer buttons for pain relief which are always good. I am swollen and starting to bruise and I think most of the pain that I do have is actually from the anchorage plates they put in. I also can't feel my top lip as they cut into the nerves, it will be like that for a while.
So good luck to the girls who are having their surgery soon. Its honestly not too painful, im sure the upper and lower jaw surgery would be alot worse. But it is uncomfortable and I can tell it will take me a few weeks to recover. And thanks for all the well wishes, talk to you all soon!
I got home from hospital a couple of hours ago and feeling very tired and weak. I will update u in the next few days in more depth with some photos. The Dr said it all went perfectly and I am recovering well. I have been having some soups and lots of those protein drinks, choclate ones - they are quite yummy :) The main thing I have noticed is the blood that I am bringin up, I think its coming from my nose and going down the back of my throat. The pain isnt too bad, I had one of those self administer buttons for pain relief which are always good. I am swollen and starting to bruise and I think most of the pain that I do have is actually from the anchorage plates they put in. I also can't feel my top lip as they cut into the nerves, it will be like that for a while.
So good luck to the girls who are having their surgery soon. Its honestly not too painful, im sure the upper and lower jaw surgery would be alot worse. But it is uncomfortable and I can tell it will take me a few weeks to recover. And thanks for all the well wishes, talk to you all soon!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Surgery tomorrow and its my birthday today!!
Well the day has finally come, my surgery is tomorrow. I have been so busy at work today trying to finish everything before I have a few weeks off, that I haven't even been thinking about the surgery. I thought at this stage I would be quite nervous but im not yet.
Its also my birthday today but its a pretty low key birthday, just hanging at home tonight and having some take away.
Anyway I will be taking plenty of photos and keeping you all updated, so look out for some new posts in the next few days.
P.s. I decided to have some yummy hamburgers seeing I won't be eating anything solid for a while hehehe
Its also my birthday today but its a pretty low key birthday, just hanging at home tonight and having some take away.
Anyway I will be taking plenty of photos and keeping you all updated, so look out for some new posts in the next few days.
P.s. I decided to have some yummy hamburgers seeing I won't be eating anything solid for a while hehehe
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Expander is in!!!
I got my expander (RME/RPE) in yesterday, it is so annoying. It isn't really hurting too much I am just struggling with my speech. I know it will get better but I am paranoid about it especially because I work in sales and have to talk quite a bit. I am also just trying to get use to eating a certain way as it can be difficult eating things like lettuce, it just gets stuck inbetween my pallate and expander.
It's one week today until my surgery and I am starting to get nervous. All I kept thinking yesterday was 'what have I gotten myself into', it's all really starting to hit me. Well there is no turning back now, so I just have to suck it up - literally haha
It's one week today until my surgery and I am starting to get nervous. All I kept thinking yesterday was 'what have I gotten myself into', it's all really starting to hit me. Well there is no turning back now, so I just have to suck it up - literally haha
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Sleep specialist appointment
Well I had my appointment with the sleep specialist today which just confirmed what the orthodontists have been saying, I do have a sleep disorder because of my bite and tongue. I don't have sleep apnea but he does thinks I have Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS). I haven't had a sleep test but he was quite certain I have it from my assessment today, so much so he isnt bothering doing a test because the SARPE surgery should fix the problem. I only need to see him again if the surgery does not help.
A quick run down on what UARS is, basically I am having very disrupted sleeps without even realising. Because my palate is so narrow and my tongue does not sit properly it falls back when im sleeping and obstructing my airways which causes my brain to react and prompts me to move positions. They call them arousels and describe it like someone a couple of times an hour poking you and disturbing you. Because my palate is narrow my nose cavity is as well which is causing blockages in my nose and hence I breath through my mouth.
If you google UARS I have probably 80% of the symptoms!
After years of complaining about being tired its actually refreshing to know that I do actually have a problem, as strange as that sounds. I have seen so many doctors for various symptoms but they never found anything - until now! I dont feel like such a freak anymore.
A quick run down on what UARS is, basically I am having very disrupted sleeps without even realising. Because my palate is so narrow and my tongue does not sit properly it falls back when im sleeping and obstructing my airways which causes my brain to react and prompts me to move positions. They call them arousels and describe it like someone a couple of times an hour poking you and disturbing you. Because my palate is narrow my nose cavity is as well which is causing blockages in my nose and hence I breath through my mouth.
If you google UARS I have probably 80% of the symptoms!
After years of complaining about being tired its actually refreshing to know that I do actually have a problem, as strange as that sounds. I have seen so many doctors for various symptoms but they never found anything - until now! I dont feel like such a freak anymore.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Spacers!
A quick update, I got more spacers in today. Next week its impressions, then the following week I get the torture device - the expander!! Not looking forward to that.
3 Weeks until surgery day, i'm excited but nervous
3 Weeks until surgery day, i'm excited but nervous
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
TAD's (temporary anchorage devices)
Well I learnt something new today that the anchorage implants I am getting are quite common and called something else - TAD's. For months I have been trying to google information and finally found bucket loads! So this is what they are going to look like, I will have 4 placed into my gum.
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