Monday, January 07, 2008

Blah Blah Blah

So today warranted another visit to the oral surgeon. I'm thinking of changing the name of my blog to Blue Monday's Mouth since that is the only topic of discussion lately. On Friday I went for my post operative visit and after some discussion I was prescribed antibiotics and sent on my way. Saturday and Sunday I felt no better. Sunday got to the point where I was popping pain meds every two hours. This morning I called and they told me to come in at 11.

My oral surgeon was surprised to see me again. At first he thought maybe I developed a dry socket until he tried looking in my mouth and noticed I could open my jaw less than I could at the last visit. We discussed my symptoms again, he felt around my face and had me perform a few simple exercises, and determined that I'm having problems with my temporomandibular joint. He prescribed stronger pain meds and steroids for a week and I go back on Monday. The best case scenario is that the steroids get rid of the inflammation and the temporomandibular joint no longer gets irritated and all is well. Otherwise I have to go for an MRI and then there is either physical therapy or a surgery to go in and relieve the symptoms.

So-I am hoping these steroids work. There is nothing else going on in my life. I feel like garbage and spend a lot of time on the couch with a heating pad on my face. I just want everything to get back to normal. My house is a mess but I just don't want to deal with it. I'm sick of being tired and irritable and in pain.

4 comments:

Jessica said...

It makes you wonder how people cope with constant pain when they have no hope of relief.

Who knew that wisdom-tooth extraction could possibly lead to surgery and/or physical therapy! I hope it doesn't come to that. :( Hang in there.

Joanne said...

Thanks. I feel a little better and am taking pain meds a lot less. I am hoping that means the steroids are working. Still can't open my jaw all the way but baby steps.

Anonymous said...

poor joannie. :(

on a different, completely random note, every time i see joey fatone, i think of jake. do you think they have some similarities?

Jana said...

So the surgeon broke your jaw and now you're looking at more surgery? Hopefully HE's footing the bill? I hope you're in there every day bugging him till it gets well. Steriods are so darn scary and can cause lots of wonderful side effects - mood changes, appetite changes...yeesh!!! Good luck getting over this quickly and with no lingering problems!!